Liverpool FC was back in Premier League action this Sunday, travelling away to Selhurst Park to take on thirteenth-placed Crystal Palace. As the league leaders Manchester City dropped two points against Southampton, the Reds were handed a rare opportunity to reduce the points gap after one of two games in hand. Goals from Virgil van Dijk (8′), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (32′) and a controversial Fabinho penalty (89′ Pen) meant Liverpool FC were able to beat the Eagles at their notoriously rowdy home ground. Read on for our full Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool FC match report.
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Image source: INEWS
Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool FC
Premier League, Sunday 23rd January
Venue: Selhurst Park
Given that the Reds won by a staggering 0-7 lead on their last visit to Selhurst Park, the home side will be adamant about preventing a repeat of that appalling defeat. Van Dijk opened the scoring early on (8′) with a strong header from a well-taken Andy Robertson corner. With Crystal Palace goalkeeper Guaita and several defenders gifting the Dutchman plenty of space to capitalise on Robertson’s corner, questions need to be asked about them but Liverpool FC will not be complaining. 0-1.
Later in the half, following a close attempt by Fabinho, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain would double the visitors lead with Robertson again providing the goods with a tight and accurate cross from outside the Crystal Palace penalty area. With the ball finding the feet of the English midfielder, he scored neatly from close-range to make it 0-2 on minute 32′. The scoreline remained this way at halftime.
Image source: This is Anfield
As the second-half got underway, Liverpool FC’s defence became increasingly suspect which resulted in Alisson being called into action, providing several top-class saves to keep his side afloat. Crystal Palace was not holding back by this point. Following a back-heel from Edouard narrowly saved, he would later be set up by Mateta following a lapse in concentration from the Liverpool FC defence, scoring from close-range, 1-2.
Going in for the fill. Olise attempted to chip the ball up and into Liverpool’s goal, however, the Brazilian stopper was able to pull off a heroic last-ditch save. The away side was very lucky to have not conceded again. The scoreline stays at 1-2, for now. The Reds were beginning to look very flimsy at the back.
What came next is arguably the main talking point of the game. After brilliantly cutting a pass out wide, Trent Alexander-Arnold sent the ball across the pitch, impressively setting up Diogo Jota from a far distance. He was then brought down in the penalty area by the Palace goalkeeper which resulted in a lengthy VAR check. Jota would be rewarded a penalty for this light challenge, whcih was efficiently converted by Fabinho on minute 89′. The scoreline stood at 1-3 until the final whistle was blown.
Final Words
There you have it! Our Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool FC match report. Alisson was the undisputed hero of the game, preventing the scoreline from being 3-3 or even 4-3 to the home side. These are the games where it counts to invest in a high-quality stopper, all plaudits go to the Brazillian for his heroics. There will also be many debates in the coming days over the controversial penalty decision and drawn out VAR check, especially by rival fans. Although Liverpool FC were the victors, it could have easily been a different story.
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