Liverpool and Crystal Palace were involved in an exciting 6 goal thriller on Saturday, with the Reds running out deserved 4-2 winners at the end of the game. It was the Reds, who began the proceedings in the 16th minute through an Emre Can goal. However, their joy was short-lived as Dejan Lovren gifted James McArthur with an opportunity to head home in the 18th minute and the player obliged.
While Lovren soon made amends for his mistake by scoring in the 21st minute, he failed to track the movement of McArthur and Palace were level yet again in the 33rd minute. However, Liverpool soon established themselves as the better side through a late Matip goal in the first half and when Firmino scored his side’s 4th goal, there was no doubting to which side the 3 points were headed towards.
Here are the 5 talking points from the game.
#1 Liverpool lend strength to their European spot credentials
It pains Liverpool fans that the most successful English club in Europe has not been consistently involved in the coveted Champions League over the last few years, having qualified for the same on just occasion in the last 6 seasons. However, the way they have begun the new season suggests that the Reds are definitely in the race for a European spot, come the end of the season.
The likes of Coutinho, Firmino, Mane and Lallana have flourished in the current season and were on fire yet again against Palace. They created chances at will, sliced open the Palace defence, showcasing their ability to put in an inspiring performance against a side that was looking to sit deep and see out the game and eke out a positive result courtesy of set-piece.
While some fans claim that the Reds are finally showcasing signs of being a side that can bring the League title to Anfield. However, we believe that while that might be a long shot and improbable, the Reds performances thus far suggests that they can break into the top 4 of the Premier League, come the end of the season.
#2 Liverpool not over-dependent on Daniel Sturridge
Ever since Luis Suarez switched the red half of the Merseyside for the Catalan colors of Barcelona, one man has been tasked with the responsibility of finding the back of the net for the Reds, Daniel Sturridge. While the English man has been a prolific presence in front of the goal, his troubles with injuries have impacted the fortunes of his club in the recent past.
However, this season, Jurgen Klopp seems to be finding a way to keep his best striker as a peripheral figure and yet score goals consistently. Until the start of the game, 7 Liverpool players had already scored for the club. On the evening, 2 more players, Emre Can and Joel Matip joined the league of Liverpool players who have found the back of the net in the league in the current season.
With the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Ragnar Klavan, and Divock Origi having already been amongst the goals in competitions other than the league, it must be a pleasing fact for the Reds faithful in turn, reducing the side’s overdependence on the Englishman Sturridge.
#3 The goalkeeping troubles continue for the Reds
One position that has come under immense speculation with regards to the Reds is that of their goalkeeper. The side has genuinely lacked a match-winning goalkeeper after Pepe Reina and none of the subsequent recruits have managed to impress enough to warrant a start for the club.
After Simon Mignolet blowing hot and cold for the Reds over the course of the last few seasons, it was believed that Jurgen Klopp had found the perfect replacement for the Belgian, when he signed Loris Karius from Mainz 05 in the summer transfer window. However, the goalkeeper has been less than impressive in the games he has featured thus far, not only making some glaring errors but also being uninspiring in distribution, an issue that has plagued Liverpool for some time now.
While Lovren could be blamed for Crystal Palace’s opener, Karius too was believed to be at fault by many as he was seen shying away from a challenge, making it easy for McArthur to head it home.
#4 A horrific defensive showing from both the teams
While it was an entertaining game for neutral fans watching, the game evoked troubled reactions from the fans of the respective clubs involved with both the teams showing defensive ineptitude during the evening.
While the glaring error from Lovren caught the eye of millions of fans worldwide, Crystal Palace, who have been known to make life tough for the opposition at Selhurst Park, were overly generous themselves. While Wilfried Zaha failed to track Moreno’s run for Liverpool’s opening goal, the defenders failed to mark Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip from corners and were duly punished by the Reds.
However, that was not all as the side was cut open time and again and could have conceded a few more goals if not for the last ditch efforts of the keeper Mandanda. Liverpool, on the other hand, were not entirely convincing in their defensive approach and for the Reds to win any silverware this season, they will have to improve on their defensive showing.
#5 Crystal Palace credentials spiraling downwards with every match day
The appointment of Alan Pardew as the manager was believed to be the catalyst that would take the club to the next level. While the beginning of his managerial tenure at the Selhurst Park did evoke a positive response, a year and a half later, the club still languishes in the bottom half of the league and look likely to replicate their poor performances of the last season and be involved in a relegation battle yet again.
The side looks dysfunctional in defence whilst lacking the muscle and creativity in the midfield. The brightest spot in their season so far has been the resurgent form of Christian Benteke, who seems to have found his mojo at a club that plays to his strengths. Regardless, their deficiency in other departments on the pitch means that Palace currently sits in the 12th place.
However, with games coming thick and fast until the new year now, Alan Pardew needs to ensure that they can improve their performances or else they could be involved in a relegation battle yet again. At the moment, they do not inspire any confidence and unless Mr. Pardew can pull a rabbit out of the hat, they are headed towards trouble.
