Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool: Five Talking Points as the Reds scrape past the Eagles | Premier League 2021-22

At the end of the first half at Selhurst Park, it looked like Liverpool were firmly in control of the game against Crystal Palace. However, the hosts turned up in grand fashion after half-time, making the Reds sweat right until the final whistle.

Andy Robertson's deliveries stole the limelight in the first half. Virgil van Dijk thundered in the first goal off a corner from the Scotsman. Liverpool went on to double their advantage through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as Robertson registered his eighth assist in his last eight games.

Crystal Palace pegged a goal back through Odsonne Edouard in the 55th minute that lit up the crowd at Selhurst. The Eagles had their opponents on the ropes in the second half. But the wind was blown off their sails by a controversial penalty call late in the game.

Fabinho converted the penalty coolly to score Liverpool's third goal and seal the three points. The win keeps the Reds within nine points of the league leaders Manchester City with a game in hand. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have failed to register a win in their last three games and would feel hard done by a late penalty.

Here are five talking points from the game:

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1. VAR makes its presence felt again, alas in a negative way

One might argue that even without the penalty the visitors would have won 2-1 anyway, but that isn't a good justification. There were at least couple of minutes on the clock remaining when Jota went down and six minutes were added on at the end of the game. At the time the penalty was given, Pool were in desperate need of respite, and they got just that.

There is nothing to suggest that Crystal Palace could not have bagged a late equalizer themselves but they dropped their heads after the penalty.

The decision itself was a really soft one and having not been given on-field it didn't look that serious to be overturned. The interpretation of clear and obvious is still vague and the fans at Selhurst have every right to be disappointed with that call.

2. Defiant Alisson saves Liverpool

The Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker pulled out all the stops to deny Crystal Palace from equalizing. He made two brilliant saves in the first half, one offside, but the other came out of misplaced pass.

In the second half, he made a save off a shot from inside the six-yard-box around the 47th minute. He then made another recovery save off Michael Olise's chip from the edge of the box.

Crystal Palace were able to bypass Liverpool's press and final line of defense but they didn't get past Alisson.

3. Liverpool fullbacks help them cope without Salah and Mane

It was always a question of how Liverpool would survive this period without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Both players have been away on national duty at AFCON with Egypt and Senegal respectively. Two games generally shouldn't decide a title but in the title race with Manchester City, every point counts.

But even though Liverpool missed two of their star forwards, their fullbacks delivered at the offensive end in both these games. Against Brentford, one goal each was created by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson. Against Palace on Sunday, two exquisite deliveries by Robertson created the first two Liverpool goals.

Robertson and TAA have a combined 12 assists in their last eight games for the Reds. It has to be said that the duo of Mane and Salah weren't missed much. They would be back in action for Pool's next game though.

4. Liverpool's defense is a matter of concern

Without Alisson, Liverpool would have dropped points against Palace and that brings questions about Liverpool's defense. Their attacking quantum was expected to go down in the absence of Salah and Mane but they have scored 12 goals in five games without them.

But the defensive shape has been in shambles for quite a long time now. They were badly exposed by Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. It was again highlighted by Christian Pulisic and Mateo Kovacic in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea.

Crystal Palace didn't even have to work that hard for the goal. Schlupp's pass carved out a 2v1 situation with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Edouard against Alisson. In the first half, a misplaced pass in defense could have caused a goal.

Liverpool are not only struggling to play with their high line but they are also running themselves into dangerous situations. Joel Matip had a really difficult day and it looks more obvious that Ibrahima Konate should be the regular starter.

5. The title race is still open

Manchester City dropped points against Southampton on Saturday after playing a 1-1 draw. That has helped the Reds close down the gap to nine points with a game in hand. They could now be within just six points of City if they win their game in hand.

The fixture against Manchester City at the Etihad in April could be an all-important one yet again just as it was in 2019. City won 2-1 then, eventually winning the title by a point.

There is very little margin for error, especially for the Reds, and Manchester City's squad depth is certainly better when the fixtures pile in. But Liverpool can still keep in touch provided they don't have repeated showings of today's events. They need to kill games off when they have the momentum.