Liverpool’s remaining Premier League match earlier than the worldwide break resulted in a 1-0 win to maintain us prime of the league – however it didn’t come and not using a price.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
Premier League (7), Selhurst Park
October 5, 2024
Purpose: Jota 9′
4 modifications: Rotation or reward?
Arne Slot opted for 4 modifications to his beginning lineup at Palace, regardless of this being the final match for the Reds earlier than one other worldwide break.
This hasn’t been the supervisor’s behavior thus far, which makes it an attention-grabbing speaking level in itself – however inside the alterations is the query of why.
Diogo Jota in for Darwin Nunez is routine, having been the widely beginning No. 9, however there’s an argument that Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo have been in on advantage, somewhat than merely rotational functions, after very robust latest showings – although it was really the Dutchman and Kostas Tsimikas, the fourth participant coming in, who Slot highlighted pre-match.
“Cody and Kostas speaks for itself, I believe they’ve finished excellent each time they’ve performed,” he mentioned – whereas hinting Jones was actually nonetheless in audition mode, maybe after not seeing sufficient of him resulting from an early-season damage.
“It’s a great second for Curtis to start out […] he’s not going to go [away] for internationals so it’s good for him to have a recreation as nicely.
“It’s additionally good for us to have greater than solely three midfielders, so let’s see right this moment how Curtis is doing.”
From that perspective, Jones definitely walked the stroll by way of effort, business and keen to imitate the off-ball endeavours of Dominik Szoboszlai, although maybe an absence of minutes confirmed with too many fouls and never fairly the appropriate finish ball.
Tsimikas is after all an odd and inconsistent participant, however his first half at Selhurst was his better of the season, defensively diligent and offensively concerned, together with the pre-assist cross for the opener.
Simon Hooper, king of ineptitude
It’s pretty uncommon a referee can come out of a recreation being equally lamented by each units of supporters, however Simon Hooper really is one thing of a one-off, and an actual contender for the worst ref within the prime flight since Lee Mason’s long-overdue demise and departure.
Oddly, Palace followers had no problem with him handing them a collection of soppy first-half free-kicks and meting out playing cards to the visiting gamers prefer it was Christmas – however they definitely didn’t prefer it when the tables have been turned after the break.
A part of it’s comprehensible – six yellow playing cards in a recreation which wasn’t precisely a violent affair for the primary hour – however they rapidly turned up the warmth on Hooper.
Contemporary from calling him a ‘Scouser within the black’, they moved on to ‘not match to referee’ quickly after.
Liverpool followers have been extra direct – they gave him a large cheer when, at in regards to the sixth time of asking, he lastly whistled for a foul on Mohamed Salah.
A really horrible official.
One other Alisson damage!
There has usually been loads of discuss Alisson‘s damage file and the quantity we’ve wanted Caoimhin Kelleher as a second-choice goalkeeper – however the Irishman has had his personal absences too.
That has beforehand meant Adrian bought recreation time when followers least anticipated (or wished) it, however now the third in line is Vitezslav Jaros and the teen bought to make his senior Reds bow after Ali – you guessed it – picked up one other damage.
This time it was a hamstring judging by the Brazilian’s response, and this after a superb exhibiting.
A minimum of a part of that restoration goes to be throughout a two-week worldwide break, however it may very well be double that point or extra he’s absent for.
Jaros made an enormous save from Eberechi Eze and raced out to collect a harmful via ball too – a strong begin.
Jota blowing cold and warm
Slot made the purpose within the buildup to the sport, after one other query about Nunez, that Jota hadn’t been scoring too many both and that the crew needed to discover a strategy to style extra possibilities for whoever performed centre-forward, with broad attackers kings of goalscoring thus far this season.
And the Portuguese attacker made a great begin in that regard at Palace, scoring from shut vary early on – however he actually may have had a hat-trick.
One other one side-footed broad and a very clear header misdirected meant it was very up-and-down for him on the day, whereas he dedicated a number of fouls too because the work fee was there, however not all the time the timing.
Liverpool, Liverpool prime of the league!
Liverpool definitely didn’t emerge unscathed, however it’s one other clear sheet and one other three factors – so no matter anybody else’s outcomes throughout the weekend, the Reds will prime the Premier League desk for the worldwide break.
That maybe comes at a great second given a few of the exertions of late, a good bit of defensive sloppiness and naturally now Ali’s damage, however that’s solely of any use if gamers don’t get overused or injured with their nationwide sides.
For that, we’ll have to attend and hope.
However as Slot reaches the primary mini milestone of 10 matches in cost, he can rightly be happy with what’s produced thus far.
9 wins, from few actual challenges it’s true, however – because the earlier boss used to say – the bottom is there now, in place for later challenges.
This wasn’t a recreation to get carried away from however we’re prime, we’re staying there for now…and we’re able to doing so within the lengthy haul.
Deliver on the large video games.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
