Jump to content
tlw content
tlw content

Liverpool 3 Crystal Palace 0 (Sep 18 2021)

     

     
    dave_usher.jpg
     
    Report by
    Dave Usher

Fairly routine, just like it was before the whole empty stadiums debacle. We made a habit of doing this during that two season spell when we were pushing the 100 point mark and it just feels like we’re back in that groove. Palace played alright, they gave us a few problems but we still won 3-0. It’s what we do.

 

The performance was quite patchy. There were spells in which we were brilliant but there were also periods where I thought Palace were on top. Specifically in the second half before we eventually made it 2-0. At 1-0, Palace were well in this game and were pushing forward trying to get an equaliser. We defended well and on the occasions when they got through, Alisson was there to deal with any danger.

 

Keeping a clean sheet despite having to change three of the regular back four is a good sign. Losing Trent was a blow, not least because it meant Milner would be charged with keeping Zaha in check, and the last time that happened it didn’t go well. He was sent off. Not this time though. Milner was brilliant and his team-mates did a good job of helping him when necessary.

 

Having lost Trent I thought it was surprising that Klopp chose to keep Robbo on the bench. Fair enough if he’d been planning on resting him, but I would have expected that plan to change once Trent was ruled out. That’s nothing against Kostas, I have no concerns about him being brought it to give Robbo a breather, but when two other members of the back four are missing I wouldn’t have thought Klopp would have voluntarily changed a third.

 

Virgil makes a lot of problems go away though doesn’t he? You can pretty much slot anybody in around him as long as he’s there to organise everything. Konate had a solid debut, Tsimikas impressed again and Milner would have been star man but for the brilliance of Salah. And we got to wrap Matip in cotton wool, let Robbo recharge his batteries after his phenomenal efforts in midweek, and even Trent wasn’t missed too much.

 

He was missed, because as well as Milner played he can’t produce the same kind of creativity we get from Trent. No-one can. He’s the most creative player in the league so you can’t replace that, but even without him we scored three times from corners. 

 

We created plenty off opportunities in open play, especially in a rampant spell we had from the midway point of the first half up until half time, but it felt like every time we got a shooting opportunity a Palace player came from nowhere to get a block in. They defended their box brilliantly because a lot of teams would have wilted during that spell.

 

They had some moments up the other end too and weren’t shy of getting players forward when they could. Zaha went close in the first couple of minutes when we were caught pushing out and he got in behind. It looked like he miscontrolled the ball and that sent it looping over Alisson, who had to run back and just about claw it off the line onto the post.

 

Some of the chances we had were gilt edged and it was hard to believe none of them went in. Hendo forced a save from the keeper after a Mané cross, Thiago and Kostas both had shots blocked but the most glaring chance we had was when Thiago stole into the box but didn’t bury the header and then Jota blasted the rebound over from a few yards out. At that point I just wanted half time so we could regroup and attack the Kop in the second half. 

 

Then we scored from a corner straight off the training ground. When do you ever see Mo in the box attacking set-pieces? He’s always lurking on the edge waiting for any bits and pieces to drop to him. The goal he scored at Norwich being a prime example. This time though we sent him into a gap created by runners and his goal bound header was saved by the keeper, only for Sadio to gleefully pounce on the rebound. Brilliant ball in by Kostas too by the way, his corners are fucking boss.

 

His crossing in general is great though and from a free-kick out wide he put one right onto the head of Virg who should have done better than put it over the bar. There wasn’t really much happening in the second half though, and we weren’t helped by having to sub Thiago who got a kick on the calf.

 

Keita replaced him and within a few minutes he’d stung the palms of the keeper who did well to then get up and block the follow up from Mo. 

 

Palace were beginning to threaten too and it was starting to feel just a little bit edgy. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I was worried about the result but it wasn’t a foregone conclusion either. Then we got another corner, Virgil caused panic in the six yard box and Mo stole in at the back post to volley home. Great anticipation from him there and his marker was ball watching and didn’t stay with him.

 

Off came the shirt and out came the yellow card. The ref was almost apologetic about it but they have no choice. I read afterwards that Mo has only ever been yellow carded for us for taking his shirt off. Thankfully he doesn’t do it after every goal or he’d be missing more games through suspension than Lee Cattermole.

 

Edouard came on for the ineffective Benteke and looked lively. He got away from Konate and looked like he was through on goal, but the big debutant stayed with him, showed good strength and also composure because he didn’t dive in. As the striker got his shot away, Konate challenged and got a foot on it to take a lot of the sting off it and Alisson made a smart save.

 

Jones replaced Jota and looked lively. We won a corner after he had a shot deflected wide, and from that corner the keeper punched the ball to the edge of the box where Keita volleyed it straight back past him with his left foot. Lovely strike. Curious celebration though. It was like he didn’t know what to do, and just stood there non-plussed until eventually he broke into a smile as he was mobbed.

 

So overall a routine win and lots to be happy about. Not least going top of the league, albeit it only for 24 hours until Chelsea joined us.

 

Other plus points were that Konate finally has a game under his belt, Alisson has another clean sheet (he’s looking utterly dominant this season) and Sadio and Mo both have another goal to their totals (Sadio has scored against Palace nine times in a row now, which is incredible).

 

There were still problems for some getting in, although personally I have to say the queue I was in moved at the same speed it did before all this NFC bollocks came in. It was really quick, certainly much quicker than the previous games this season. One thing I noticed though was there were touts outside the Kop. I hadn’t seen any so far this season but it appears they’ve found a way around the new technology, as one fella was walking around with four smartphones on him asking if anyone needed a ticket. 

 

Palace were better than I expected them to be and I might have to take back what I said about Vieira being in over his head and a sure thing to win the sack race. They looked quite well coached to me, but if Benteke is leading the line then they aren’t going to score many goals. They’ll probably be better than I thought they would be though.

 

Zaha though, fucking hell. What a bad cryarse. I think his problem is that he’s now resigned himself to the fact he’s stuck at Palace and the chance of another move to a Champions League club has passed him  by. And now he just doesn’t look motivated at all. He just bitches and moans his way through games now, looking for free-kicks and generally giving off a hard done to vibe. A shame as he’s ridiculously talented.

 

I thought their young left back was decent though, considering he was having to try and deal with Mo who is just in sensational form. Mo was still brilliant, but the kid he was up against made it more difficult for him than a lot of others would have. That Gallagher kid is useful too, Chelsea will no doubt because to fudge the books by selling him to Serie A for an ‘undisclosed’ sum next summer.

 

Star man is Mo despite the strong claims of Milner (and Hendo). The form he’s in at the moment is as good as anything we’ve seen from him. He might not be banging in hat-tricks like in his first season, but his all around game is just sensational. No matter what height the ball comes to him at he just kills it stone dead, even when he’s got a defender draped all over him.

 

He’s playing his team-mates in far more than ever before and he’s working his bollocks off chasing back as well as running in behind. Several times he got back to help Milner out against Zaha and he was doing it the other night against Milan too. He’s been our best player so far this season and the better he plays the more uncomfortable this contract impasse is getting. Still, at least Naby is close to extending so it’s good to know the club have their priorities right.

 

 

Team: Alisson; Milner, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson (Origi), Thiago (Keita); Salah, Jota (Jones), Mané:

 

 

 

 

Edited by tlw content


User Feedback

Recommended Comments

It's telling, in a leading indicator kind of way, that at 1-0 I wasn't thinking 'oh they're bound to fuck this up'. Don't get me wrong, I was nervous. But the "typical Liverpool" thought was that they'd close it out. And they did. I think it must have been gazing upon the world's most glorious silver barnet at half-time in the concourse under the Main Stand. Twas like touching the hem of Jesus' garment.

  • Like 1
  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can't argue with selecting Mo as motm but I thought Ali got pretty close to that accolade. Made some big saves at crucial times.

 

They'll take points off our rivals. They are very fit - I thought Gallagher was blowing out of his arse after 30 mins but he lasted the whole game. Good to bank 3 points and move on.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good report, Dave. i thought we looked a bit ropey at the back in the first few minutes. Alli nearly caught in no man's land because I think he was aware of Konate's debut. Once we weathered that storm, we looked a lot better.

 

I was thinking it was going to be one of those games we wouldnt score what with all the desparate blocks by a Palace player and Jota miss.

 

I think a lot more credit should go to Sadio for that finish because of the previous missed chances, the lack of time he had and how he had to turn and hit it from a sharp angle.

 

At 1-0 you always worry an equaliser isnt far away and Mo's goal settle any nerves.

 

This might not be liked but I thought Keita's goal celebration was a bit 'Cantonaesque' with his nonplused response.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I actually don’t think it was one of Alisons best games. He made some really crucial saves but I’ve seen him look a lot more self assured. Probably the defensive changes to blame.

 Not really criticising him, there’s more to come from him though. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, dockers_strike said:

This might not be liked but I thought Keita's goal celebration was a bit 'Cantonaesque' with his nonplused response.

Agree with this, it was kind of like my 'and what?' face when I get an occasional strike at 10 pin bowling.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dave and I combined beautifully with me finishing to score a fucking belter at a forum kick about once. I just pulled a little smile and jogged back nonchalantly like it wasn't one of the top 5 goals I'd ever scored. 

 

Inside I was doing this:

 

tenor.gif

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


×
×
  • Create New...