Only two games in but four points behind Manchester City already, Liverpool’s start to the season has brought Jurgen Klopp one headache after another. His team’s performance against Palace was not high on the list. Liverpool largely dominated against Patrick Vieira’s side and scrambled impressively after Nunez’s foolish loss of control, Luis Diaz equalizing in spectacular style after Wilfried Zaha’s first-half brace. But with injury problems showing no signs of abating and given the punishing demands of a title challenge, the loss of the Uruguay international has been terrifying for Klopp. Nunez is the first Liverpool player to be sent off for violent conduct during his tenure. His manager needs to learn from the mistake and learn quickly. Liverpool pressed for a winner that would have sparked delirium inside Anfield, but Vieira’s determined side defended with clear heads and impressive spirit to end a run of 10 consecutive defeats by Klopp’s side. The visitors worked tirelessly off the ball and could have nicked all three points late on through Zaha or Andersen. There were more additions to Liverpool’s already extensive injury list ahead of the first home game of the season. Joël Matip went with fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konaté on the sidelines with a muscle injury and, with Joe Gomez fit enough to make the bench after a recent problem, Nat Phillips got his first Premier League start since May 2021. It was Phillips’ first start alongside Virgil van Dijk and he marked his return by winning two towering headers inside the first 14 seconds. Roberto Firmino was also absent. Liverpool’s opening day performance at Fulham improved immeasurably following the introduction of Nunez and they started with an intensity and focus that was absent in the first half at Craven Cottage. The home side should have taken the lead after a minute when Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita punched home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross to James Milner under pressure from Liverpool’s new centre-forward. Milner reacted sharply but got a clear clearance over Guaita’s goal. Luis Diaz reacts after his impressive equalizer for Liverpool. Photo: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Núñez also missed a decent chance after Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold stretched Palace with long, precise passes. Andersen managed to block Harvey Elliott’s goal, giving Alexander-Arnold another chance to cross. He found Núñez unmarked at the back post but, perhaps surprised by Palace’s failure to get a header, the striker sent an awkward volley high and wide. Liverpool were understandably keen to use the height of their new addition up front and regularly swept crosses in behind the Palace defender, but there was variety in their early dominance. Linking up between Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah ensured a busy night for Tyrick Mitchell at left wing-back, while Núñez also displayed an immediate and encouraging rapport with the Egypt international. The Uruguayan’s movement from the ball also made an impression. For 57 minutes anyway. Not only were Palace under siege for the first half hour, but their struggle to keep possession or win any 50-50s left Vieira distracted. Klopp’s irritation seemed minor by comparison, the Liverpool manager turning to the crowd and putting a finger to his lips after they had encouraged a wildly ambitious shot from Van Dijk from 30 yards. All this explained why the discovery of the Palace came as such a shock. The visitors barely had a chance to hit back through Zaha, until Guaita managed to dislodge Eberechi Eze inside the Palace half. Eze controlled superbly, got away from Fabinho’s hesitant challenge and released Zaha into acres of space behind Phillips. Palace’s lone striker got on goal and beat Alisson with a clinical, powerful finish into the far corner. Wilfried Zaha heads the ball past Alisson Becker to put Crystal Palace ahead. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Zaha came close to doubling Palace’s stunning advantage minutes later when Cheick Doucouré split Liverpool’s central defense again. However, a heavy first touch undermined the goalscorer’s chances of a repeat finish and Alisson saved Zaha’s shot from close range. Vieira’s side were fortunate to hold onto their lead until the interval. The final act of the first half saw Elliott release Núñez inside the area with a superb chip. As the striker was about to shoot, Ducouret dived in with a crucial touch, deflecting the ball past his own keeper but onto the far post. Liverpool’s problems increased when Nunez saw red for a headbutt on Andersen. Problems had existed between the pair for some time and when the defender shoved Núñez in the back after an argument, the striker foolishly took the bait. He rammed his head into Anderson’s face, who collapsed in theatrical style, giving referee Paul Tierney no alternative but to red card. Anfield erupted with a misplaced sense of grievance and their team was fueled by the support. Four minutes after being sent off, and three days after Klopp had backed Diaz to get well in front of goal, the Colombia international responded with a superb goal that set up a frantic finale. Receiving the ball on the left, Díaz raced past five white shirts along the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a right-footed shot that flew past Guaita in the Palace goal. Klopp stormed off in front of the main stand, the relief palpable, but a first win of the season proved elusive. Zaha could have won it for Palace late on but he volleyed Doukoure’s cross onto the near post.
