by Liverpool’s difficult week continued after a goalless draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday night.
Jürgen Klopp’s side looked to bounce back from a 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in midweek to keep their pursuit of the top four in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace went into the game winless in their last seven Premier League matches but almost took the lead when Jean-Philippe Mateta hit the crossbar from close range.
Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah were turned down by the joinery for the visitors, who had to settle for a point after a 0-0 draw.
In the aftermath of the clash, sports mail rated the players of both teams…
Crystal Palace and Liverpool could not be separated in a goalless draw at Selhurst Park
Both sides hit the woodwork in a tight match on Saturday night
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1)
Vicente Guaita – The spectator for most of the match, was nevertheless grateful to the carpentry for keeping his clean sheet in two situations. 6
Nathaniel Clyne – An unwise tackle on Diogo Jota earned him a yellow card and he lost a free-kick. Besides, he effectively kept Diogo Jota in peace. 6
Joachim Andersen “By commanding the air every time Liverpool crossed, he organized a defense that kept the visitors at the bar most of the time. 7
Mark Guehi – Solid in defense along with Andersen, missed a free-kick after a free-kick in the 24th minute. 6
Tyrick Mitchell “He positioned himself well most of the time but lost Mo Salah in the box and when he was grateful when the Egyptian hit the crossbar. 6
Joachim Andersen, left, was the dominant figure behind Crystal Palace
Albert Sambi Lokonga denied Liverpool a seat to help thwart their expansion
Cheick Doucoure – A perfect foil for Lokonga at his side, he used every moment to get the ball forward and start Palace’s attacks. 7
Albert Sambi Lokonga “Constantly present in the midfield, he deprived Liverpool of the space in which to build his attacking flow. 7
Michal Olis – Outstanding. His deception and delivery from both wings caused panic all the time. The problem was that his thinking speed was too much for his teammates. 9
Jordan Ayew – Busy as always, but lacked the composure and technique to create for his team when opportunities presented themselves. 5
Jeffrey Schlupp Full of energy, he harassed Trent Alexander-Arnold at every opportunity, which brought his side two clear chances in the first half. 7
Jean-Philippe Mateta “Dismissed early by Alisson and then missed the best chance of the game in the first half when he hit the crossbar with his head. 5
REPLACEMENTS
Eberechi Eze – 6
Odsonne Edouard – 6
Michael Olise was brilliant at Crystal Palace but was let down by his teammates
Jean-Philippe Mateta squandered the cleanest opening of the match in the first half
Liverpool (4-3-3):
Alisson ‘He rushed the early check-in, which got him in trouble, but he made up for it by saving from Jean-Philippe Mateta. Also, I had a quiet game. 6
Trent Alexander-Arnold Caught a defensive foul twice in the first half, he was lucky Jean-Philippe Mateta didn’t punish his lack of confidence. 5
Virgil van Dijk – For most of the ride, seated next to his central defending partner, he cut off the supply lines to Jean-Philippe Mateta. 6
Joel Matip “He handled the Palace runners well in the penalty area and almost deserved an assist in the first half with a clever cross that Diogo Jota should have used. 7
Andrzej Robertson – Largely trouble-free in defense, he drove forward from left-back whenever he could, but didn’t have much help from Diogo Jota in front of him. 7
Trent Alexander-Arnold looked uncertain during a difficult night for the Liverpool defender
Naby Keita was substituted at half-time for a midfielder who was in danger of a second yellow card
Naby Keita – Largely ineffective, apart from a series of poorly placed tackles, it was no surprise that Harvey Elliott replaced him at half-time. 5
Jordan Henderson – Playing at the base of the Liverpool midfield diamond, his greatest contribution was unknowingly blocking an Alexander-Arnold shot. 6
Cody Gakpo – Energetic and dynamic in their attempts to force mistakes, Palace seemed at times to be a one-man press machine for Liverpool. 8
James Milner “He gave Liverpool an attacking base alongside Henderson and was as hard working himself as ever. Like his teammates, however, he lacks creativity. 6
Mohamed Salah – He scored early in the game when powered by Gakpo, but was unlucky to score in the 49th minute against the Palace post. 6
Diego Jota “Too often a peripheral figure, he should have scored in the first half when he waited for a cross rather than met it and hit the post wastefully.” 5
REPLACEMENTS
Harvey Elliott – 7
Fabinho – 6
Roberto Firmino – 6
Stefan Bajcetic – 6
Cody Gakpo was energetic in attack for Liverpool as Jürgen Klopp’s side looked for an opening
Diogo Jota had a tough evening after returning to the Liverpool starting line-up
