Liverpool have picked a terrible time for their first three-game winless run of the season, falling 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have dropped behind Manchester City and Arsenal on the title advantage leaderboard, with their 71 points two behind City and level with the Gunners prior to the 11:30am ET kickoff of Arsenal and Aston Villa.
[ MORE: Jurgen Klopp reacts to loss vs Palace ]
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace get a huge boost as the three points give them 33 on the season, now eight clear of the bottom three with just five matches left on the schedule.
Eberechi Eze’s goal coincided with Michael Olise’s return to the starting lineup, while midfielder Adam Wharton also starred and Dean Henderson made five saves in a win that shakes up the Premier League title race again.
No one expected this possible end of Jurgen Klopp’s era
No expected this. It’s worth saying again.
Liverpool produced myriad chances on Sunday but it wasn’t until a desperation final sub for Harvey Elliott hit the pitch in the 83rd minute that it seemed possible: Liverpool could again lose a seismic late home game to Palace at Anfield.
But it did. Days after Jurgen Klopp’s Reds lost big at Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League semifinal tie, the Reds put a serious hit in the Premier League title hopes. Throw in last week’s PL draw with Manchester United, and there are huge callbacks to the failed 2014-15 run-in (although that occurred much later in the season).
WATCH LIVERPOOL vs CRYSTAL PALACE FULL MATCH REPLAY
There’s dark humor in one opinion shared on PST earlier this week — that Klopp’s Liverpool is not a side that could fall at home to Palace. The mentality was too strong. And to be fair, it is; The Reds dominated Palace but just never found that equalizer, let alone a winner.
As a dejected Klopp walked off the pitch and Palace’s fans sang louder than the stunned home crew at Anfield, it was clear that no one at Liverpool expected anything other than a fateful silverware run in Klopp’s final year. This fairytale still could go in Liverpool’s favor, but for now it’s more like some of the original Grimm’s tales — dark and stormy.
Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace player ratings (fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace player ratings (fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace player ratings (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
The Reds go to Italy on Thursday down 3-0 after a first leg with Atalanta. That kicks off at 3pm ET. hen it’s a visit to Fulham at 11:30am ET Sunday before the Merseyside derby at Everton the following midweek.
Crystal Palace host West Ham at 10am ET Sunday.
How to watch Liverpool vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 9am ET Sunday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch online via NBC.com
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace live updates — By Nick Mendola
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace final score: 0-1
Goalscorers: Eze (14')
Still Palace and time ticking away
We saw Dominik Szoboszlai for Wataru Endo at half, then Alexander-Arnold for Bradley a few minues later.
Klopp then called upon Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, and now finally Harvey Elliott in the 83rd minute.
Anfield is still awaiting an equalizer. It’s tense at Anfield, as Curtis Jones’ breakaway miss is just one of several big chances to come to nothing.
The second half has been almost all Liverpool, and at the start of the 85th minute the Reds have 75% of the second-half ball and an 11-2 distance in shot attempts.
For the game, the figures are 67% and 18-8.
Massive chances for the Reds
It’s too soon to say this could be “one of those games,” but Palace are getting some breaks.
Curtis Jones’ bid to side-volley an incisive Mohamed Salah cross goes over the goal just before he takes an uncalled boot to the lower leg that leaves him in a heap.
The ensuing corner ends with Darwin Nunez hammering a shot off the leg of Henderson from close range.
Liverpool are knocking at the door, but it remains a Palace lead.
Liverpool injury — Conor Bradley off
It’s the re-introduction of Trent Alexander-Arnold, but probably a good quarter-hour — at least — earlier than planned, as Conor Bradley leaves with a heavy limp.
Still 1-0 Palace in the 48th minute.
Halftime — Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
This could easily be 2-2 or more.
Palace chairman Steve Parish, former boss Roy Hodgson, and current manager Oliver Glasner will all be nodding with different emotions, as the Eagles are so much better with both Eze and Olise on the pitch. Imagine if Cheick Doucoure was healthy to pair with Adam Wharton.
But Liverpool, of course, are up for it and should have goals themselves.
Shots are 7-6 for Liverpool, but four of Palace’s shots are on target (The Reds have put three on Henderson). Palace are edging xG and Liverpool have 63% of the ball. What a half for a 1-0.
Liverpool dangerous
The Reds are setting up shop in the Palace end now, and Oliver Glasner will want Palace to fight their instincts to protect a lead, especially here.
Wataru Endo cranks a good chance off the bar and it pings down but resists spinning over the line. Close.
Now Robertson’s cross meets a flying Luis Diaz at the back post, and the Colombian might’ve had an all-timer of a highlight with his airborne side volley but Dean Henderson reacts well before swimming backward into his side netting.
Goal line clearance!
J-P Mateta has the beating of Virgil van Dijk, and races toward goal.
Mateta dinks it over an onrushing and sliding Alisson, but Andy Robertson flies back and slides to take the ball just before it completely crosses the line!
Eberechi Eze goal! Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace (14th minute)
We’re feeling prophetic.
Michael Olise finds Tyrick Mitchell, who turns the left corner and snaps a pass toward the heart of the 18.
Eze has run to the perfect spot between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate and it’s 1-0 to the visitors.
Bright start
Palace is just so much brighter when both Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze are healthy and starting, but that can sometimes change the way opposition plays their game.
That’s not the case with Liverpool, who is full throttle almost always, so there’s a lot of energy on the pitch at Anfield. More of this, please.
Liverpool lineup
Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Endo, Jones, Mac Allister, Diaz, Salah, Nunez
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson, Clyne, Andersen, Lerma, Mitchell, Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Olise, Eze, Mateta
Liverpool focus, team news
The Reds are finally looking healthy, though it didn’t help on Thursday. Trent Alexander-Arnold was available off the bench and Diogo Jota made his return in defeat. Alisson Becker could be back and that would be a wonderful sight even if Caoimhin Kelleher hasn’t been poor.
OUT: Joel Matip (torn ACL - out for season), Thiago Alcantara (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Alisson Becker (hamstring)
Crystal Palace focus, team news
Michael Olise is getting closer to starter’s fitness. Palace is very dangerous when Olise and Eberechi Eze are both on the field. But injuries to Marc Guehi, Chris Richards, Odsonne Edouard, and the long absence of Cheick Doucoure, have the Eagles down several talons.
OUT: Chris Richards (knee), Marc Guehi (knee), Matheus Franca (adductor), Sam Johnstone (elbow), Rob Holding (ankle), Cheick Doucoure (achilles - out for season), Odsonne Edouard (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh)
