Liverpool falter in the title race with a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace and are now level on points with Arsenal as the pressure mounts.
Eberechi Eze shone for the visitors for Palace with his early goal, while their defence stood strong against Liverpool’s attacks.
Curtis Jones’ missed chance proves costly for Liverpool, and Jurgen Klopp left distraught on the touchline as they lose ground in the title race.
Liverpool have dropped points in the title race in two successive Premier League outings after losing 1-0 to Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace at Anfield. Now level on points with Arsenal, who have a game in hand over the Reds, Jurgen Klopp and Co have it all to play for in their remaining six league games of the 2023/24 season.
Eberechi Eze, one of the visiting side’s shining lights, opened the scoring within 14 minutes. Palace started well and combined brilliantly on the left, with Olise laying the ball into Mitchell’s path on the by-line. The defender cut it back to Eze, who slotted home, eliciting emphatic celebrations from the players in white and blue, including goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
A barrage of shots were directed at the Crystal Palace goal, but their pressure was to no avail as Oliver Glasner’s side were able to absorb the pressure and escape unscathed. Jean-Philippe Mateta also had the chance to double Palace’s lead in the second half, but he was denied by a firm, outstretched arm from Alisson.
If anything embodied Liverpool’s afternoon against Glasner’s side, it was Curtis Jones’ second half miss, which has since proven to be detrimental. The hosts had regained possession of the ball in the middle of the park in the 74th minute.
A sea of red Liverpool shirts swarmed forwards in an attempt to peg back an equaliser, but Cody Gakpo opted for a pass to Jones, who was marauding forward on the right-hand side with acres of space in front of him.
Racing through on goal, with Adam Wharton hot on his tail, the Englishman spooned his chance to pull the game back level with his effort bypassing Henderson and then the frame of the goal.
While Palace and their travelling contingent of fans let out a collective sigh of relief, Klopp cut a distraught figure on the touchline, knowing that Jones’ opportunity would be one of their best chances to regain authority over the Premier League tie. The German tactician couldn’t help but cover his eyes in disbelief – and neither could Jones.
