Wilfried Zaha’s first-half goal gave Palace the lead and when Nunes foolishly reacted to a push from Joachim Andersen, Jurgen Klopp’s side looked set for a miserable defeat in their first Premier League home game. With his team needing something special, Diaz gave them a fine solo goal that completely changed the mood at Anfield. It was impressive Palace who came closest to a winner when Zaha hit the post, but the draw means both sides remain winless this season.
Player Ratings
Liverpool: Alisson (6), Alexander-Arnold (7), Van Dijk (7), Phillips (4), Robertson (6), Fabinho (6), Elliott (7), Milner (7), Salah (7), Diaz ( 9), Nunez (2) Subs: Tsimakas (5), Henderson (6), Gomez (7), Carvalho (6) Crystal Palace: Guaita (7), Clyne (7), Andersen (8), Guehi (8), Mitchell (8), Ward (7), Doucoure (7), Schlupp (7), Eze (9), Ayew (7), Zaha (8) Subs: Edouard (6), Richards (6), Milivojevic (6), Hughes (6), Olise (n/a) Man of the Match: Luis Diaz But the Reds could do without Nunez’s upcoming three-game ban as the injury crisis continues to mount with Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino missing from Palace. Meanwhile, midfielders Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, defenders Ibrahima Konate and Calvin Ramsey and striker Diogo Jota and back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher are likely to be unavailable for Monday’s trip to Manchester United. live on Sky Sports. Monday 22 August 18:30 Start 20:00 Speaking about the injury situation, Klopp said: “It’s been a crazy week, I’ve been through a lot of weeks, but it was like we had a witch in the building. “It’s not the start we wanted but that’s the least of my problems because it’s very difficult at the moment with injuries. We have to use next week to bring one or two back. We lost Darwin today which doesn’t help Bobby (Firmino) might be ready for next week. It’s not a worry, it’s just a start.”
How the drama unfolded at Anfield
Liverpool had dominated the first half hour but Zaha’s breakaway strike after great work from Eberetsi Eze rocked them. Nat Phillips, the defender making his first Premier League start for 16 months, struggled to cope with Palace’s counter-attacks. Zaha could have doubled the advantage soon after when he eluded Phillips once more, but his heavy touch allowed Alisson to smother. Liverpool had to wait out stoppage time until their best chance in the first half, when Nunez hit the post with a mistimed shot. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen baited Darwin Nunes into being sent off, but admitted Nunes’ reaction was wrong. The Uruguayan’s fortunes did not improve. Whether it was inexperience, frustration or both, his red card was so rash and even though the Kop fans were chanting his name, it was a costly mistake. The only consolation was that his teammates responded to adversity. None more so than Diaz. His goal was excellent, he collected the ball on the left before cutting in past three Palace defenders and curling his shot into the far corner of the net. But it was more than just the goal. His appetite to win the ball back fired up the crowd. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Jamie Carragher showed off some of his best moves on Monday Night Football after Luis Diaz equalized for Liverpool, leaving Gary Neville less than impressed Liverpool pushed for the winner, Mohamed Salah and substitute Fabio Carvalho both going close. But, down to 10 men, there were gaps for Palace to exploit. Had Zaha found the other side of the post late on, Patrick Vieira would have felt it was a deserved win. For Liverpool, the gap with Manchester City is already four points.
“Dies are like defeats when you’re chasing Manchester City”
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher: “It was a terrible start in terms of that, but I thought they were outstanding tonight in the way they responded with 10 men. Draws are defeats now as Manchester City set the bar so high. “To give City a score with four points, yes there is a long way to go, it is difficult to catch one of the biggest teams in the Premier League.”
“Moment of madness from Nunes”
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez shown straight red card for headbutt Sky Sports’ Gary Neville: “The story tonight is Nunez, not just the first header, but going again. “He’s gone right for Andersen. There’s been no story about it at Benfica, he wasn’t sent off there. That’s the stupidity tonight. It’s going to be a steep learning curve for him. It’s a moment of madness. It’s a right butt, Andersen will feel it this. “We don’t know why he did it. I’ve done two or three things like that in my career. We don’t know why we react. We have no idea. We go and think ‘what did I just do – Honestly. I kicked a ball at an Everton fan and did something similar in a game against Steve McManaman. It’s that red mist. It’s coming to you.”
Klopp: “It was like there was a witch in the building!”
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Jurgen Klopp has spoken of magic given Liverpool’s injury toll Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the injury crisis: “The real feeling I have right now is that I’m proud because everything went against us during the week. It was crazy, it was like there was a witch in the building. Putting on a performance under the circumstances, I’m really proud of that. “It’s not the start we wanted but that’s the least of my problems because it’s very difficult at the moment with injuries. We have to use next week to bring one or two back. We lost Darwin today which doesn’t help Bobby (Firmino) might be ready for next week. It’s not a worry, it’s just a start.”
Vieira: “Very good performance from the Palace team”
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has spoken about his side’s performance against Liverpool Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira on the point: “There are a lot of teams coming to Liverpool who would be happy with a point, but today we played a really good game collectively and I’m happy with the point. “Overall we kept our organization and discipline. It’s a very difficult place to come and play. We created some very good chances, in a difficult period we stayed together and defended well. It was a very good team performance, I’m very happy with the team”.
Key stats from a dramatic game
Liverpool have failed to win either of their opening two games of a Premier League season for the first time since 2012. The last time the Reds won the top-flight title having failed to win their first two games of a season was in 1981-82. Crystal Palace avoided defeat away at Anfield in the Premier League for the first time since April 2017, ending a run of five defeats against the Reds on Merseyside. Liverpool have conceded first in each of their last six Premier League games, their longest run since a run of six between April and August 1997. But Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 21 Premier League games, the longest current run in the competition. Darwin Nunez became the second Liverpool player to be sent off on his Premier League debut at Anfield since Joe Cole against Arsenal in 2010.
Fantasy Premier League Statistics
FPL Liverpool v Crystal Palace Stats
Goals Zaha, Diaz assist Eze, Milner Extra points Diaz (3), Elliott (2), Alexander-Arnold (1), Eze (1) Red card Nunez
What’s next?
The next game for Liverpool is huge as they make the short trip to Old Trafford to face winless Manchester United on Monday Night Football next week. Crystal Palace are in action before that as they host Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
