Postmortem: Liverpool Hold Firm For Selhurst Park for Win | OneFootball

Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool – The Postmortem

This was a game that had me wondering, whether it could become a grind and to some degree, that is what the 7th game of the Premier League season became. The infamous 0-1 loss against Nottingham Forest is the only encounter that halts the new Liverpool Head Coach, Arne Slot, from holding a perfect record in the start to his wonderful Anfield reign. Ultimately, the character and determination that was shown to get the three points against an aggressive Crystal Palace, can act yet another example of how this side is growing under new leadership, which could end in ultimate success at the seasons end.

Photo: IMAGO

Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.

Starting Eleven

GK – Alisson Becker

RB – Trent Alexander Arnold

RCB – Ibrahima Konaté

LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Kostas Tsimikas

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

ACM – Curtis Jones

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

RF – Mohamed Salah

CF – Diogo Jota

LF – Luis Díaz

Subs

Dominik Szoboszlai – Alexis Mac Allister (45 mins)

Luis Díaz – Mohamed Salah (73 mins)

Andy Robertson – Kostas Tsimikas (79 mins)

Vítězslav Jaroš – Alisson Becker (79 mins)

Wataru Endō – Curtis Jones (89 mins)

Goals (Assisted by)

Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Liverpool

Diogo Jota (Cody Gakpo) – 9 mins

Important Match Stats

Possession

Crystal Palace 32% – 68% Liverpool

Total Shots

Crystal Palace 9 – 16 Liverpool

Crosses

Crystal Palace 11 – 20 Liverpool

Corner Kicks

Crystal Palace 3 – 8 Liverpool

Goalkeeper Saves

Crystal Palace 3 – 5 Liverpool

Photo: IMAGO

First Half

The opening period of this game was almost a Halloween horror show, given that Crystal Palace took the lead with a very well worked goal in the opening seconds, however, the second official and then VAR ruled the goal scorer as offside, much to delight of the travelling support. From this point onwards territorial advantage fell the way of the visitors, as they patiently probed the Eagles midfield and defensive lines with unthreatening possession. In the blink of a South London eye, Kostas Tsimikas drilled a pass from his own half and between two defenders within the Palace rearguard.

That incisive through ball found a perfectly timed Cody Gakpo run, who had timed his run to absolute perfection. As the penalty box quickly filled with bodies of each group, the Dutchman was able to find the ideal ball and eventual goal scorer Diogo Jota in front of goal. As this move began to build, a gentle jog in central areas was underway from the Portuguese striker, Diogo Jota, who exploded into a blur of acceleration as Cody primed his final move. Jota’s movement to drive in front of his marker allowed the incoming low cross to create the perfect point-blank scenario, which the former Wolves hitman prodded home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Not long thereafter, a similar cross from the opposite flank should have seen the 27-year-old goal scorer double his team’s lead, only for a scuffed effort to spurn a great opportunity. As Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté dominated their zones, each advancement was repelled by the twin towers. Trent Alexander Arnold was a common outlet on the right flank, as he continued find the perfect balance between playmaker and crossing sensation. Curtis Jones had come in for Dominik Szoboszlai in the attacking midfield position, as one or four first team alterations. The Englishman’s intricate touch and intelligent play allowed a different dynamic to the turbo charged Hungarian, as the boss opted for yet another different approach. Uncharacteristically, Mohamed Salah was fairly quiet throughout his duration on the Selhurst Park pitch, yet he was still able to create good rhythm with his teammates on the flank.

Liverpool had enough possession and half chances to kill off the game in the first half, however, it was in fact the former Watford winger and Liverpool target, Ismaïla Sarr, who came closest to finding the games second goal. As the moments ticked away to the half time break, some good play by Palace created a chance for the Senegalese attacker to strike low and on target. Luckily for Arne Slot, Alisson Becker produced a one handed save to avert disaster, thereby showing why he is the world’s best between the sticks.

The half ended with the home side a goal behind, though still very much in the fight.

Photo: IMAGO

Second Half

On resumption of the second half, one change was made as the Liverpool Head Coach, who was forced to replace Alexis Mac Allister with Dominik Szoboszlai. The severity of the injury is yet unknown; however, the international break at least allows some time for recovery. At that point, Curtis Jones dropped into the vacated controlling midfield role, as the incoming no.8 resumed his role behind the central striker.

The prime performers from the first half were undoubtedly the central defenders in reds, whilst the Dutch duo of Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo, shone brightest further up the field. As the second half moved onwards, so did the dominance of Liverpool, until Palace woke up and decided to reengage. My pre-game notes had the strapping frame of Jean-Philippe Mateta starting this game, though it took until the 60th minute for the French striker to emerge from the hosts substitute bench.

Photo: IMAGO

As soon as the 6ft 3inch forward entered the fray, the focal point of the team started to allow more determination in line with their prior aggression. Alisson Becker went from doing very little, to doing anything to stop his team from losing their deserved lead. Following a string of saves and clearances, eventually a muscular injury forced the giant stopper from the field, as he slumped to the ground in frustration.

Much to the surprise to some of the unknowing crowd, Caoimhin Kelleher was absent with an illness. This predicament meant an unexpected debut for the visitors third choice stopper, Vítězslav Jaroš. The 23-year-old was the star performer for Sturm Graz last season, as he played a key part in the clubs Championship winning campaign in the Austrian Bundesliga. That most recent loan was the last landing spot for the former Slavia Prague academy graduate, who had undertaken stints at Stockport County, Notts County, and St. Patrick’s Athletic, before finally representing the club he joined as a 16-year-in 2017.

The script could have been written in two very differing ways, though thankfully for the goalkeeping novice, it was something that allowed him to shine and deliver solid handling and assurance. Whether it be shot stopping, clearing of crosses, or rushing from his line to avert a one-on-one chance, the 1-cap Czech international completed each task with maturity and excellence.

Chances for both sides came and went, as the game petered towards the final whistle. The substitutions made by the reds coaching team allowed good variety for the game state at hand. The highlight of the closing stages was to see Wataru Endō deliver a wonderful crunching tackle, to remind us all the need for a specialist defensive midfielder. The encounter ended with no more goals, which confirmed Liverpool’s place at the top of the table for the duration of the forthcoming international window.

Final Thoughts

This was a game that may have ended in dismay, though the quality and determination is now being matched by good planning, as the strategies of the new Head Coach continue to answer the questions that are asked. Virgil was once again tremendous, whereas Ibou continues to match the brilliance of his defensive partner. Alisson and his young understudy, Vítězslav, were superb with their own individual showings, as Gravenberch and Gakpo shone once again.

The reds are building a head of steam and the only concern is what the break in the club’s forthcoming schedule will bring. Chelsea arrives to Anfield in just two weeks’ time for a Super Sunday encounter, with the result of that game perhaps allowing a key moment to judge where this team is and where it could end up.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:

Crystal Palace 0 – 2 Liverpool