LiverpoolThe season is starting to unravel and coach Jurgen Klopp cannot explain why.
Lost 0-1 at home first Crystal Palace Liverpool is damaged Premier League challenge for the title on Sunday, three days after last’s 3-0 defeat Atalanta at Anfield in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.
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The back-to-back home defeats follow last Sunday’s draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford and leave Klopp’s side facing league leaders Manchester City again.
“Maybe,” Klopp said when asked if the loss to Palace was a holdover from the loss to Atalanta. “If you look at my teams over the years, I think you can say our pressing is usually good, there’s counter-attacking play there. [against Palace]we’re open — how can that happen?
“Just a few days ago we played a bad match, so maybe it had something to do with it. It was actually a really good match.” [Sunday], without scoring. But unfortunately, it’s not that easy.”
Eberechi Eze caressing home a word ending Tyrick MitchellCutting the ball in the 14th minute caused Liverpool to suffer their first league loss at Anfield in 28 matches – lasting until October 2022.
Palace could have doubled their lead in the first half when Jean-Philippe Mateta rounded Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. The ball went wide but defender Andy Robertson raced back and slid to save it on the line.
“Today was frustrating,” Robertson told Sky Sports. There are so many opportunities.” “The first half I thought we were poor and [Palace] is leading and could lead more than 1-0. In the second half we had enough chances to win two or three games.”
This is the 21st time the Red Devils have been behind after 32 matches this season and they cannot recover, despite Wataru Endo hit the crossbar midway through the first half and Darwin Nunez And Curtis Jones wasted a golden opportunity in front of The Kop after the break.
At the last minute, Mohamed Salah was given an easy chance to score from close range for Liverpool, but his strike towards goal was weak and was blocked by the outstretched legs of Mitchell, who made a tackle hopeless.
“I can say that with the opportunities we had, we were really unlucky,” Klopp said. “In the second half, Crystal Palace were lucky that we didn’t punish them but that’s why we’re standing here with no points and Crystal Palace have three points.”
Liverpool started the weekend in second place, behind Arsenal on goal difference, but are now two points behind Manchester City following the champions’ 5-1 win over Luton Town on Saturday and finished the day in second place. third thanks to goal difference even though the Gunners lost. to Aston Villa.
“Of course you have to ask these questions – what does it mean for the title race and things like this,” Klopp told reporters on Sunday. “I’m not stupid, I know that.
“The answer is quite easy: if we played like we did in the first half, why should we have won the league?”
Palace are currently in 14th place with 33 points with 6 games remaining in the season.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: “It was an excellent win at Anfield – it’s difficult to win here.” “The way they played, especially in the first half, was fantastic. In the second half, there was a lot of pressure from Liverpool.
“It’s the ability to express yourself and play with confidence,” he added. We have resolved many situations under pressure with just one touch. We scored a great goal. It’s about confidence, team spirit and passion.”
Liverpool lost to Manchester United last month in the FA Cup quarter-finals, ending the possibility of an unlikely quartet of trophies this season with the League Cup already secured.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
