Rain, wind and Liverpool’s renewed spirit couldn’t prevent the Eagles from soaring once again.
Crystal Palace defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday at Anfield. Scott Dann headed in the winning goal late in a game Liverpool controlled for all but short stretches at the beginning and end. That Crystal Palace capitalized on Liverpool’s mistakes, and the hosts were more forgiving of the visitors’ errors, should mute the Reds’ claims to be deserving of a point from this outing.
Jurgen Klopp’s early October arrival as manager brought a new attitude to Anfield. The belief and solidity the German instilled in the Reds helped extend their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions (six under his watch) and forge a modest, three-game winning streak. No more.
The euphoria of the Klopp era had little effect against a Crystal Palace team that apparently has the magic potion required to beat Liverpool in good times and bad. Coming into the game, Alan Pardew’s group had lost four of its last seven games and only scored four goals in that span. Form mattered little on the Anfield trip.
Dann’s 82nd minute goal confirmed Crystal Palace’s third consecutive Premier League win over Liverpool and fourth victory in its last six outings against the Reds in all competitions.
The Reds traveled 5,000 miles in the last week for a Europa League win over Rubin Kazan. The journey, which concluded early Friday morning, didn’t appear to sap Liverpool’s energy but appeared to take its toll on the club’s sharpness and focus.
Crystal Palace started both halves with direct attacks and high-pressure defense, but Liverpool comfortably blunted Pardew’s plan. The Reds twice came close to scoring in the opening quarter-hour, but Adam Lallana’s cross couldn’t reach Christian Benteke, and Philippe Coutinho missed with a curled shot.
Yala Bolasie was first to punish Liverpool fully for its mistakes. The Crystal Palace winger pounced on Emre Can’s misplayed clearance in the 21st minute and shot past Simon Mignolet to open the scoring.
True to recent form, the Reds responded well to the misfortune of Bolasie’s goal and Mamadou Sakho’s injury-forced exit by controlling possession and territory and creating scoring chances of their own. While Benteke will rue the opportunities he missed in the 29th and 32nd minutes, Coutinho eased the tension with a composed finish in the 42nd minute. Nathaniel Clyne created the chance with a low cross into Crystal Palace’s penalty area. Adam Lallana flicked it toward the far post, and Coutinho arrived with a late run and scored with composure.
Crystal Palace denied Dejan Lovren, who replaced Sakho in the 40th minute, from scoring twice in the closing stages of the first half. Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey turned away one of the Croatian’s headers. James McArthur cleared the other from the goal-mouth.
The second half was open and entertaining, as the teams played from one end to the other. The punch- and counter-punch- period of the game might have produced more goals, but Bakary Sako and Benteke both missed the target in quick succession.
The game looked like it was heading toward a stalemate until Dann, a Liverpool fan, headed a corner kick on goal. Mignolet saved Dann’s initial shot, but the Crystal Palace defender won the game with a follow-up header.
Crysytal Palace ruined Steven Gerrard’s Anfield farewell on May 13 by beating Liverpool 3-1 in its last home game of 2014-15. Gerrard was in the stands Sunday for his first game as a fan in 17-plus years. The elements and returning icon couldn’t reverse whatever spell Crystal Palace has conjured over Liverpool.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@PremierLeague
