Liverpool continue winning start with workmanlike performance: 3 takeaways

Liverpool traveled down to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Monday. Here are three things we learned.

Liverpool came away victorious in their first away league game of the season, but Crystal Palace made them work for it.

The match was significantly different in both halves because Palace were content to frustrate Jurgen Klopp’s men, but the penalty late in the first half changed their approach. They were a lot more ambitious in the second half, but Liverpool dealt with this and came away with the win. Here are three takeaways from the match.

1. Palace frustrated Liverpool

Roy Hodgson set his team up in a 4-4-2 defensive shape which changed into a 4-3-3 when they were in possession with Andros Townsend joining Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke up front. Without the ball, they employed a medium block and aimed to push play wide. The emphasis was on keeping pressure on the ball rather than actively pressing. However, once play went into their defensive third, they tried to isolate attackers and launch rapid counter-attacks.

Benteke was the outlet with the intention of quickly playing Zaha in behind. They were largely stifled by the Reds in this regard because they were able to quickly win possession back by nullifying Benteke or counter-pressing well. In possession, Palace’s focus was on moving the ball out to the flanks or distance shooting. Townsend had the best attempt in this regard because his attempt in the 25th minute hit the crossbar.

Palace were largely effective at blocking the central areas off in the midfield third. However, in the final third they struggled to deal with the close association between the Liverpool front three. The understanding between them as well as how they linked up with Naby Keita and the full-backs meant there was a wide range of threats to deal with. Liverpool ultimately broke through when Roberto Firmino found Mohamed Salah in the box, he turned to Mamadou Sakho who clumsily found him and James Milner dispatched the penalty near the end of the first half.

In the second half, Palace bravely attempted a high press in order to keep Liverpool penned in and create turnovers high up the pitch. They were able to keep up sustained pressure initially and in stages, but it enabled Liverpool to quickly transition, which is when they’re at their most dangerous. Keita should have punished them early in the second half after a rapid counter-attack.

Their danger on the counter was showcased in the 74th minute when Aaron Wan-Bissaka fouled Salah after a quick break to deny a goalscoring opportunity, which earned him a red card and changed the game entirely. It was also how they secured the victory right at the death because Salah played in Mane who was able to shrug off Patrick van Aanholt and round the goalkeeper before rolling the ball in the net.

The Eagles may not have got the desired result, but they put in an organized and coherent performance to deal with Liverpool’s deadly attack.