Liverpool season in danger of falling apart, after another Anfield defeat

A season that promised so much just a couple of weeks ago, is quickly turning sour for Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool players, after they suffered another awful defeat at Anfield, this time to Crystal Palace.

• Jurgen Klopp makes five changes from the team that played so poorly against Atalanta
• Alisson makes first start in nearly three months
• Anfield falls silent to mark the 35th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Tragedy
• Liverpool concede the first goal again, as Palace scores after 11 minutes, the 21st time the Reds have gone behind this season
• Andy Robertson sensationally clears off the line, to keep the score at 1 - 0
• Liverpool struggles to create chances, though Diaz forces an excellent save from Henderson at the back post
• HALF-TIME - Liverpool 0 - 1 Crystal Palace
• Jurgen Klopp brings on Szoboszlai for Endo at half time
• Conor Bradley injured just 2 minutes into the second half, with Alexander-Arnold coming on
• Gakpo and Jota come on for Nunez and Diaz
• Van Dijk goes close with a header from a corner
• Diogo Jota and Mo Salah miss glorious chances when only a few yards out
• FULL-TIME - Liverpool 0 - 1 Crystal Palace

Match Summary

Liverpool produced another laboured performance, on a poignant Sunday at Anfield, as the club and city marked the 35th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster.

Shortly before kick-off, the 60,000 people inside Anfield observed an impeccable minute's silence, to remember the 97 fans who died on the 15th of April 1989.  But if the crowd was expecting Liverpool's players to lift the sombre mood, they were sadly mistaken, as the Reds once again started slowly, conceded the first goal, and generally lacked any rhythm or energy.  Indeed, as the first half wore on, it was Crystal Palace who should have scored more goals, with the crowd growing more and more frustrated, as Liverpool failed to show any urgency, despite the fact that the Premier League title is on the line.

So it was no surprise that Jurgen Klopp made a change at halftime, with Dominik Szoboszlai replacing Wataru Endo, with the Japanese midfielder uncharacteristically wasteful in possession.  Then, just two minutes into the second half, young right-back Conor Bradley injured his ankle, with Trent Alexander-Arnold coming on to make his first appearance since January.

The substitutions certainly helped the Reds, with Henderson somehow blocking a Darwin Nunez effort from point-blank range, as the ball dropped to him from a corner.  The improved performance was met with encouragement from the Kop, who sensed that Liverpool were finally beginning to find some rhythm.  As the half wore on the chances started to come more frequently for Liverpool, with Van Dijk heading wide from a corner, while Jones just failed to reach a pullback from Szoboszlai. Then, on 73 minutes, the Kop rose in anticipation as the ball dropped to Diogo Jota six yards out, but Nathanial Clyne somehow blocked the ball on the line.

Worse was to come, as Curtis Jones shot wide when played through one-on-one with the keeper, as Liverpool fans everywhere began to think it was going to be one of those games.  And so it proved as Mo Salah somehow failed to score from 3 yards out, with Liverpool's last clear-cut chance.

The defeat leaves Liverpool 3rd in the table, and whilst the title race is not over, it feels as though the season is unravelling at the worst possible time.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace match stats (Premier League)

Possession
Liverpool % - % Crystal Palace

Total Shots
Liverpool  -  Crystal Palace

Shots on Target
Liverpool  -  Crystal Palace

Corners
Liverpool  -  Crystal Palace

Fouls
Liverpool  -   Crystal Palace

Man of the Match

Joachim Anderson - 9/10 - The whole Palace defence deserves praise for an excellent rearguard action, but Anderson was the star of the show.

What's Next

Liverpool face Atalanta in the second leg of the Europa League Quarter-Finals on Thursday, as they look to overturn a 3 - 0 deficit.  Kick-off is 20:00 GMT.

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