Away, against a side that has proven a significant bogey team of the last few years, Liverpool struggled at Selhurst Park before coming from behind to win 1-2 against the Eagles.
Liverpool began with a plan that looked patient and poised. The Reds dominated proceedings from the opening whistle but struggled to breakdown the home side. Still, with a midweek European tie against Manchester City, a patient approach seemed sensible.
Then disaster struck as Wilfried Zaha jumped to the inside of Trent Alexander-Arnold to get on the end of a flicked header before colliding with Loris Karius and earning a penalty kick. It was a sound shout for a penalty but when Neil Swarbrick failed to call one at the other end, instead booking Sadio Mané for simulation, a sinking feeling started swell.
Yet, halftime did the Reds some good and it did not take long for Mané to square things, slotting home a James Milner cross from inside the six-yard box. From that point, Liverpool regained their control of the contest and pushed for a winner. It would come late but Mo Salah secured a massive three points as the Reds attempt to ensure a top four place.
The run-in has officially begun and the next two weeks will reveal much of Liverpool’s fortunes for this season. With five games in the next 14 days, the Reds will need to reassess provided everything goes well. If not, these points will prove invaluable to ensuring Liverpool have another chance to chase big hardware again next season.
Here are four findings from the match.
Right-Side Reeling
As good as Trent Alexander-Arnold has been this season, he is a teenager and has struggled when specifically targeted by opposition. Jose Mourinho clarified things a few weeks ago and exposed how weak the right side of Liverpool’s defence can be.
The Crystal Palace plan was obvious within the first five minutes. Roy Hodgson clearly instructed his players to hoof the ball forward down the left channel and let Wifried Zaha take his chances against the Liverpool’s local lad. Before long it worked, as Zaha got inside Alexander-Arnold again to win a penalty after clashing with Loris Karius.
In fairness, the youngster recovered in the second half, especially once the shape of the team changed to three at the back, and he was free to function more as a winger. Still, neither of the centre-half options, Dejan Lovren or Joel Matip, offer a lot of cover and protection. Against a powerful, pacey left-side attacker, Trent Alexander-Arnold can be overpowered and other teams are well aware of that.
Midfield Muddle
As the midfield rotation has been put under more stress through injury and the departure of Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool have had to shuffle personnel and tactics. Recently, there has been a tactical adjustment that sees the midfield bypassed altogether with vertical passes from deeper positions.
With most of the width coming from the fullbacks, the midfielders tuck in and provide a safe option. Yet, the trio of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, and Gigi Wijnaldum can look significantly one-paced. For stretches, that was the case in London. Rather than pinging the ball around the pitch, midfield became a place where the ball slowed and at times stopped.
With Palace content to string a blockade of five across their midfield there was precious little room to operate. Additionally, none of the midfielders seemed capable of bursting through lines, penetrating, and forcing the issue. It is easy to see why losing Emre Can may pose problems, even with the arrival of Naby Keita.
Lallana’s Luck
It was a mere five minutes. That was all the time Adam Lallana had on the pitch before pulling up with another injury. Details are still forthcoming on the status of his hamstring injury but it is likely to end what can only be considered a lost season.
From the preseason thigh injury that foiled any appearance until November to this most recent problem, Lallana has scarcely been able to make 11 appearances in the league this campaign. With a chance at playing in the World Cup, less than three months away, the prospects of the player returning with anything to offer are increasingly slim.
The unfortunate truth is that at 29-years-old, the veteran midfielder can no longer be considered a reliable option. While this may be nothing more than an unlucky campaign, at his age his place in the squad may well have taken a serious hit. Midfield will no doubt be an area where Jurgen Klopp looks to further strengthen, signaling even less significance for the England international.
Patience of a Poacher
Every week Mo Salah strengthens the claim that he is the Premier League Player of the Year, despite award’s the premature voting. Records just keep falling. With his winner at Selhurst Park, Salah has scored the same or more than seven other sides in the league. It was goal 29 in the league with 37 on the season.
Having returned from International duty, the Egyptian forward had one of his quieter games before pouncing on a ball the area and patiently waiting for the opening to arrive before slamming it home with the strength of a seasoned striker.
Sadio Mané may have leveled things for the Reds in another strong performance but Salah stole the spotlight again. Despite having a few half chances earlier in the match, Salah spoiled any hopes Palace might have had of securing points. He ensured a significant win and should ride confidently into the midweek match with Manchester City.
