Arne Slot’s side look to extend their lead at the top of the table at Selhurst Park against South London opponents who currently sit in a relegation spot. Crystal Palace who are currently winless in the league with only three points. Their Merseyside visitors have only dropped points in a shock 1-0 loss at Anfield against Nottingham Forest. Liverpool, who are performing well under a new manager, will be firm favourites to come out on top today to temporarily go four points clear at the top.
Crystal Palace showing surprising dominance in the opening minutes with an Nketiah goal ruled offside in the first minute. Amazing finish from the striker with a chip over Liverpool keeper Allison. Although clearly offside, it was a clear demonstration to their visitors of that speed and danger he brings up front.
The Eagles rattle Liverpool early with Eze and Munion crossing the ball beating Liverpool’s fullbacks.
Liverpool hit back with a well calculated challenge with Tsimikas passing out on the left to Gakpo who crosses the ball into the box to find Jota. The Portuguese forward stays collected on the ball and finds the back of the net through the keepers legs. 1-0 Liverpool.
The goal highlighted the home side’s poor defence with both flanks of the pitch with Salah beating the Eagles defence again down the right but his cross was blocked.
Munoz comes off injured, after receiving medical attention on the pitch, for 33 year old Clyne who played for Liverpool between 2015-2020 with 103 appearances.
Gravenberch received the ball from Salah and found Jota again, but shoots off wide of the net.
All traffic is going Liverpool’s way, dominating Palace’s midfield that are too easily dispossessed. Frustration is showing with consecutive cards here at Selhurst Park! Four yellows for reckless challenges on the visitors.
Allison goes down after clearing the ball and usual second keeper Kelleher is absent from the bench. Jaros makes his first appearance for the club coming on for limping Allison. This injury could be a major blow for Liverpool with games coming up against Chelsea, Arsenal and Leipzig in the Champions League.
Palace have a good build-up but Lerma wastes the opportunity on the edge of the box. Another chance for Eze who was one-on-one with the keeper but shoots straight at him. Eze should’ve scored, another poor shot for Palace.
The whistle is blown and Palace look defeated on the pitch. Having created so many big chances, with one more shot on target than their opponents, the eagles were not able to find the back of the net.
Another success for Arne Slot who celebrates his sixth league win Liverpool who are now four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the league.
Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Liverpool
12:30 5th October 2024
Selhurst Park
Line-ups:
Crystal Palace XI:
Henderson (1); Chalobah (27), Guéhi (6), Lacroix (5); Moñoz (12), Wharton (20), Lerma (8), Mitchell (3); Sarr (7), Ese (10); Nketiah (9).
Substitutes:
Ward (2), Mateta (14), Schlupp (15), Clyne (17), Kamada (18), Hughes (19), Hughes (19), Turner (30), Umeh-Chibueze (46), Kporha (58).
Liverpool XI:
Alisson (1); Alexander-Arnold (66), Konaté (5), van Dijk (4), Tsimikas (21); Jones (17), Gravenberch (38), Mac Allister (10); Salah (11), Jota (20), Gakpo (18).
Substitutes:
Gomez (2), Endo (3), Díaz (7), Szoboszlai (8), Núñez (9), Robertson (26), Jaroš (56), Quansah (78), Bradley (84).
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