Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp’s Reds held on the road by the Eagles

Liverpool’s top-four hopes suffered a blow following a turgid 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The visitors monopolised possession in the first half an hour but it was the Eagles who had the better opportunities with Jean-Philippe Mateta thwarted in a one-on-one with Alisson before sweeping another first-time effort against the crossbar.

Liverpool also hit the woodwork with Diogo Jota nodding Joel Matip’s cross against the outside of the post from an acute angle.

The visitors turned the screw following the restart and Mo Salah came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock with a sublime first-time attempt that curled against the bar.

Cody Gakpo then dinked a big opportunity wide nine minutes from time as the Merseysiders failed to pick up the victory they were craving.

The result sees Liverpool move up to seventh place, six points off the final Champions League berth having played one game fewer. Palace stay 12th and remain winless in 2023.

Next up, Liverpool host Wolves on Wednesday before Manchester United visit Anfield next Sunday. Palace travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Talking point – Liverpool come up short

This was quite a dismal spectacle and perhaps demonstrated the lack of confidence both sides have right now.

Palace will take more positives from snaring a point against one of the Premier League’s so-called big guns, particularly as it ended a seven-match losing streak at home to the Reds.

For Liverpool, it will feel very much like a missed opportunity. Recent victories over Everton and Newcastle coupled with indifferent results for their rivals, have seen Klopp and co earn a lifeline in their pursuit of another top-four finish. This has been a happy hunting ground for the German coach and with Wolves at Anfield up next, he would have been demanding six points.

It won’t be the case now and although a third clean sheet on the spin in the league is a step in the right direction, it will do little to lift the mood among Kopites after the Champions League loss to Real Madrid.

Player of the match – Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)

The best player on the pitch and one of the few who exuded confidence in what he was doing. Threatened down the right repeatedly and produced a series of excellent crosses that could easily have led to assisting a winner with better finishing from his team-mates.

Player Ratings

CRYSTAL PALACE: Guaita 7, Clyne 7, Anderson 7, Guehi 7, Mitchell 7, Schlupp 7, Olise 8, Lokonga 6, Mateta 6, Doucoure 7, Ayew 7. Subs: Edouard 6, Eze 6,

LIVERPOOL: Alisson 7, Alexander-Arnold 5, Robertson 6, Van Dijk 7, Matip 6, Milner 6, Keita 4, Henderson 6, Gakpo 6, Jota 6, Salah 7. Subs: Elliott 6, Fabinho 6, Firmino 6, Bajcetic n/a.

Match Highlights

13’ – CRYSTAL PALACE CHANCE! Jean-Philippe Mateta lacks conviction with his attempt to flick a shot over Alisson after dreadful play from Matip and Alexander-Arnold on the right gave the Palace man a clear run at goal.

22’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Matip pulls free at the far post to take down a free-kick before hooking a superb cross to the far post. Jota is lurking for a tap-in, but the angle is too tight when he heads the ball and his effort smacks off the outside of the post.

41’ – CRYSTAL PALACE CHANCE! Mateta sweeps a glorious opportunity against the top of the crossbar after Schlupp had robbed Alexander-Arnold on the left flank and put it on a plate for him.

48’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Salah curls a sublime first-time effort against the bar after a blocked shot had fallen his way on the right side of the penalty box.

81’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Gakpo beats Guaita to Salah’s through ball but can’t keep his dinked effort on target. That was a big opportunity for the away side.

Key Stats

This was the first time ever that both league games of a single season between the teams ended in draws.

Palace avoided defeat in both Premier League matches against the Reds in a season for the first time since 2014-15.