PLAYER CONFIRMATIONS: Mohamed Salah scores a lowly 5/10 among five Liverpool starters, while Crystal Palace star names man of the match to put England on alert
Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a surprise blow after they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal meant Jurgen Klopp’s side were two points adrift of top spot, but Arsenal could open up three if they beat Aston Villa.
Struggling Palace started brilliantly and scored the only goal of the game after just 12 minutes, Eze finishing nicely with a flowing move down the left.
The Reds created several chances as they looked to respond, but Curtis Jones wasted the best of them after firing off target as they went through one-on-one.
Here, Mail Sport‘s DOMINIC KING has rated the players…
Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a shock blow after they lost to Crystal Palace
Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side adrift of Manchester City and Arsenal
Mohamed Salah couldn’t rescue the Reds after rescuing a point at Old Trafford a week ago
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LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Alisson Becker – Cold with the goal Palace scored, but showed his excellent qualities in the second half with a great save from Mateta – 6
Conor Bradley – A revelation since being introduced to the team, but his afternoon ended prematurely, with an injury forcing his substitution early in the second half – 6
Ibrahima Konate – His use of the ball was not what it should be and Klopp let him in several times. Placement for Palace’s goal not what it should have been – 5
Virgil van Dijk – Had Robertson to thank as a slip almost led to another Palace goal. Not too extended, but not one of his best days either – 6
Virgil van Dijk had Andy Robertson to thank when a slip almost led to a second Palace goal
Robertson was a one-man army at times and his energy to clear off the line was spectacular
Andy Robertson – A one-man army at times, his energy to come back and clear from his own goal line was spectacular. The selection of his side’s pack – 7
Alexis McAllister – Worked hard but struggled to dictate anything in the middle of the pitch in one of his most disappointing outings in red to date – 5.5
Wataru Endo – Hasn’t looked the same since missing the Sheffield United game with a knock and was withdrawn at half-time after struggling again – 5
Curtis Jones – The attitude could not be faulted, but he will be haunted by two missed chances in the second half which would have changed the game – 5
Luis Diaz – Thought a flying volley in the first half had got Liverpool back in it, but he was one of many who found Henderson an immovable object – 6.5
Darwin Nunez – One of those erratic afternoons where you think he’s going to burst into life, but in the end doesn’t manage to find a way through – 5
Another erratic afternoon for Darwin Nunez, but he couldn’t find a way through
Mohamed Salah – Another lacking his old sparkle and his performance was summed up when he was denied a touch at close range – 5
Mohamed Salah lacks his old spark and saw a clear chance blocked late on
Subs
Dominik Szoboszlai (to Endo 46 minutes) – the spectacular early exhibitions seem so far away at the moment – 5
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Bradley 50 mins) – back from injury but looked rusty – 5
Cody Gakpo (for Diaz 67mins) – A couple of good balls into the area but not enough impact – 5
Diogo Jota (for Nunez 67 mins) – usual prolific but wasted two big chances – 5
Harvey Elliott (for Jones 83 mins)
Manager
Jurgen Klopp – Looked completely lost in the final minutes knowing a goal wasn’t coming and a dream was dying – 5
Jurgen Klopp looked slumped over, as if he knew his side’s title challenge was dying
CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-3)
Dean Henderson – A magnificent afternoon, best encapsulated by an incredibly crisp save to thwart Nunez – 8.5
Dean Henderson enjoyed a magnificent afternoon and made several eye-catching saves
Joachim Andersen towered at the back for Palace and never let anything past him
Nathaniel Clyne – Back to one of his former clubs and back with a performance that showed why defense has always been so natural to him – 8
Joachim Andersen – Towering in the middle of his team’s defense, never letting anything past him and blocking everything that came his way – 8
Jefferson Lerma – Booked late but it didn’t spoil his day’s work as he worked diligently to keep Salah at arm’s length – 7
Daniel Munoz – Covered miles up and down the flank and knew he had been in a fight with Robertson, one in whom he more than acquitted himself – 7
Adam Wharton – Taking the step up from the championship in his stride, he stood tall at the heart of the game with Liverpool’s midfield three – 7
Will Hughes – Always a lovely footballer, so elegant in possession and this was the case again as he kept things ticking over – 7
Tyrick Mitchell – Brilliant cross provided the opening for Eze’s goal, but an all-round display to show why Gareth Southgate always has him in mind – 7.5
Michael Olise – So much to like about this forward with his clever running and energy. Didn’t look happy when he left – 7
There is so much to like about Michael Olise, who threatened with his running and his energy
Jean-Philippe Mateta – Had to go to war with Van Dijk and Konate and came out on top. Deserved a goal for everything he did and really should have had one – 8
Eberechi Eze – Delivered the moment that mattered, a calm and composed finish in front of The Kop to effectively end Liverpool’s title challenge – 7
Eberechi Eze (thr.) delivered the moment that mattered with a calm and composed finish
Subs
Jordan Ayew (for Olise 69mins) – kept up the pressure and pressure on Liverpool’s defense – 6
Jairo Riedewald (to Clyne 77 min.)
Jeffrey Schlupp (for Eze 78mins)
Joel Ward (for Hughes 77 mins)
Manager
Oliver Glasner – Tactics worked a treat and how he enjoyed the moment at the final whistle, roaring his joy and engulfing his coaches in joy – 8
Judging
Chris Kavanagh – Officials have been in Liverpool’s spotlight all year but there was nothing they could find fault with here – 7