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Goals from Yannick Bolasie and Scott Dann subjected Jurgen Klopp to his first loss as Liverpool manager, when Crystal Palace collected all three points from Anfield yesterday.
The opening 20 minutes reflected the drab Merseyside weather but it wasn’t long before a goal from the away team injected some life into the game.
Liverpool’s defence were stretched after Alberto Moreno’s failed interception in midfield and as the ball came into the box, a fluffed clearance from Emre Can gifted a chance to Bolasie. The Palace number 10 slotted the ball through a crowd of players and past Simon Mignolet in front of The Kop.
Liverpool equalised just before half-time when Jordon Ibe’s well-timed through-ball found Nathaniel Clyne bombing forward from right-back. His cross was flicked on by Adam Lallana and eventually dribbled through to Philippe Coutinho at the far post. The Brazilian steered the ball into the goal to restore parity.
Dejan Lovren had replaced an injured Mamadou Sakho just before the goal and he threatened to give Liverpool an unlikely lead at half-time with two headers from corners. But the Croat’s headers were kept out by Wayne Hennessey.
Liverpool dominated much of the second half, creating a couple of chances for Christian Benteke which the striker failed to take.
Wilfried Zaha sprinted half the length of the pitch, leaving Liverpool defenders in his wake but his cross to Bakary Sako, who was free at the far post, was slightly overhit and the striker could only ripple the side netting.
Liverpool manager Klopp showed his intent when Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino replaced midfielder Emre Can.
But it was to be Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace who eventually grabbed a winner.
Defender Scott Dann fired a header straight at Mignolet from a corner. But the Belgian keeper failed to hold it and Liverpool born Dann was first to the rebound.
With the game approaching the end, away fans sang “you must be sick of us,” as Palace continue to be something of a bogey team for Liverpool, even with their change of manager.
