LIVERPOOL’s first defeat of the season had been coming. While Arne Slot’s team had five from five in the Premier League before Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park, there had been weaknesses in the performances of the defending champions and Crystal Palace brutally exposed them.

The Eagles were good value for their 2-1 win. Had it not been for Alisson Becker and the series of saves made by the Brazilian goalkeeper, the margin of victory would have been wider. Liverpool were second-best and Slot was quick to acknowledge the superiority of Oliver Glasner’s team. 

“They had more than only two set-piece goals,” said the Liverpool boss, highlighting the number of chances Crystal Palace had to find the back of the net. “They didn’t score more, but they had chances from open play, from transition. So there were more things not to like than only defending the set-pieces. 

“We were able to create quite a lot against a Crystal Palace team, which hardly ever concedes a chance. But when you look at the first half, they totally deserved to win. In the second half, it was a much better performance from us. If one team deserved to win, it was Palace.”

Not for the first time, Liverpool were all over the place in defensive transition. Palace were quick to hit out on the break and committed bodies to the attack when they could. It was a ploy that resulted in the match becoming stretched, something that suited the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ismaila Sarr and Yeremy Pino.

Ibrahima Konate was particularly shaky, which has been a theme so far this season. The French defender was wasteful with possession and looked unsure over what space to cover whenever faced with a Crystal Palace attacker running at speed. Konate was clearly targeted by the hosts.

The balance of Liverpool’s team has looked off at various points this season. This could be partly due to the replacement of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson as the first-choice full backs in Slot’s defensive line with Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong still being integrated.

 

While Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister remain one of the best midfield duos in the Premier League, Liverpool appear easier to play through in the centre of the pitch. This might be in part due to the arrival of Florian Wirtz who doesn’t offer as much on the defensive side of the ball as Dominik Szoboszlai.

Then there’s Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker is still playing catch up after arriving at Anfield on transfer deadline day. He didn’t have any pre-season to speak of and is clearly some way off full match sharpness which is taking the edge off Liverpool’s ability to press from the front.

Mohamed Salah has been quieter than usual too. The Egyptian has netted just two goals in six Premier League appearances this term and has frequently been on the periphery of matches. Liverpool need their best and most dangerous player to rediscover the level that made him the division’s top scorer last season. 

 

Of course, Liverpool’s record so far this season remains exceptional. They are sitting top of the Premier League and have three points on the board in the Champions League after defeating Atletico Madrid. Their one defeat came against a Crystal Palace side on an 18-game unbeaten run. Others have fallen to the Eagles recently.

Nonetheless, Slot mustn’t ignore the warning signs that have been apparent in several matches Liverpool have played recently including Saturday’s. He must be careful that the cracks in his team don’t become anything more, otherwise more rivals than just Palace will take advantage.

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