WRITTEN BY Charlie Chealde –
With City dropping points against Southampton yesterday, Liverpool needed to grasp at this opportunity to reduce the gap on City to probably stand any chance of winning the league.
The Redmen were spritely in the first 30 minutes, playing with a desire to win the ball back, pinning Crystal Palace into their own half. Transitional play from the defence through the midfield to the attack was slick with the full backs both being integral in Liverpool’s fluidity. The Reds – or whites today – deservedly led by 2 goals to nil come the 32nd minute, creating flashbacks to the 7-0 victory last season at Selhurst Park, believing if the boys kept-up playing the same manner, a similar result would have ensued.
This belief was wrong. The closing minutes of the second half saw Palace change from a lacklustre and unmotivated side, to a side playing with a determination to win. They kept hold of possession and made both half and full chances. All Liverpool fans can agree, that if we did not have Alisson Becker to save us, we would have lost the game.
Luckily, in the 88th minute the Redmen were awarded a generous penalty after Palace’s keeper collided with Jota in which Fabinho scored to confirm the win.
Alisson: 10/10 – MOTM
The best goalkeeper in the world. Alisson Becker ‘saved the day’ today after making many critical saves to keep Liverpool’s lead. He covered for sloppy passes and unforced errors which were common throughout the game from all those ahead of him. It is games such as these that we, as fans, must not forget when he does make a rare mistake. Alisson is instrumental to Liverpool’s success.
Although the first chance for Palace was offside, this was unbeknownst to Alisson, and he made a phenomenal save with a strong right hand of steel.
After Joel Matip sloppily gave the ball away, Alisson made another fantastic stop, sticking his left leg out at the ball to prevent a goal.
Alisson was quickly down to his right to stop a backheeled attempt in the six-yard box from finding its way into the net.
A chip shot saw Alison back peddling and recovering to make a sensational save, tipping the ball past his right post to stop a Palace equaliser.
Four clear goal-scoring opportunities denied by Alisson, assuring the Redmen victory.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6/10
Started by making some good overlapping runs during the first 30 minutes and played a few dangerous balls into the attackers. However, his performance and influence on the game started to deteriorate, and was caught out of position on numerous occasions which led to a couple of Palace’s chances.
Matip: 5/10
From the start it seemed we had the old Joel Matip back from before the mid-week game. He tried an audacious attempt at a Cryff turn in the opponent’s box – obviously trying to copy Nat Philips – and almost provided a headed assist for Jota in the first 6 minutes. In the opening he was exceptional in terms of reading and intercepting the oppositions play.
However, like Trent, his performance progressively declined. Matip was sloppy in his passing around the back, handing Palace a clear-cut opportunity in which Alisson, thankfully, recovered his mess. In the lead up to the palace goal, Matip poorly headed clear the ball on the half way line to the feet of a palace player allowing them to score from that sector of play.
VVD: 7/10
The flying dutchman made a good run in the box to the front post to head in a pin-placed crossed from Robertson. On reflection and placed in context of the game, his second goal of the season is a vital one. However, he seemed to be frequently caught-out by the attacker making runs in between him and the fullback Robertson. Luckily, the runs made didn’t materialise into goals.
Robertson: 9/10
For a fullback who is meant to be having an ‘off’ season, he was yet again exceptional. Bagging himself two assists, one from a superb corner and the other an excellent cross, Robertson barely set a foot wrong. He was lively and determined from the off and was the best player at the back second to Alisson. However, Palace’s winger Michael Olise seemed to cause him some problems with his quick feet, which did amount to some Palace chances.
Fabinho: 8/10
Some sloppy mistakes giving the ball away leading to Palace counter-attacks. He also skied a good opportunity from a lay-off by Jota. However, he was assured in his penalty which secured us the victory.
Henderson: 6.5/10
A solid performance from the skipper, who wasn’t as sloppy as some of the others in midfield or attack. He also got himself into the box which allowed him to create some half chances for himself.
Jones: 8/10
He has definitely established himself in the team and is continuously improving to become a seriously good footballer with a sublime first touch. His continuous pressing of the Palace goalkeeper into making mistakes engenders the Liverpool mentality and determination to recover the ball. He is making his mark on the team and it hard to justify dropping him for a game. However, at some points he was caught in possession in the midfield.
Ox: 8/10
An excellent touch and strike to score Liverpool’s second. He looked like a player who belonged to play for Liverpool for the most part whilst he was on, determined to prove himself. However, as Palace started to dominate the game, Ox became quieter and more subdued.
Firmino: 6/10
A player whose first touch and quality on the ball never seems to faulter, except for today. Bobby’s passing was loose and sloppy which allowed Palace to create big chances. However, he did look sharp in the opening of the game.
Jota: 7/10
Involved in the penalty awarded in the 88th minute. However, in all honestly, it probably wasn’t a penalty. The ball had got away from him and hence the collision was not denying a goal or substantial enough to result in a penalty. However, no doubt we will take it! Throughout the game Jota did well to draw in a few fouls. Although, he regularly lost the ball in the final third.
Subs:
Minamino: N/A
Didn’t do anything
