EPL 2017/18: Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace, 5 talking points

#2 Crystal Palace’s 3-5-2 is not easy to break down

Crystal Palace only had 27.7% of possession

Frank de Boer lined his Palace side in up a wide but compact 3-5-2 that nullified Liverpool’s main attacking threats. In defence, the wing-backs tucked in alongside the centre backs and the midfield pivot dropped deep to track Liverpool’s midfield runners.

On the transition, Andros Townsend pushed up and acted like a 2nd striker behind Benteke ensuring the Eagles could overload Liverpool’s isolated defenders. At times, the wing-backs also joined the attack to help stretch pitch.

The 3-5-2 deprived Liverpool’s front three of space and time on the ball, resulting in the Reds being limited to long shots. The system also forced Liverpool into a redundant u-shape passing across the back four as Klopp’s men struggled to find space within the final third.