Liverpool have suffered a huge blow in the Premier League title race after they lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace.
Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal earned what was only Palace’s second top-flight win under manager Oliver Glasner and condemned Liverpool to their second defeat at Anfield in the space of four days.
It was also a second consecutive Premier League match without a win and leaves them two points adrift of leaders Manchester City. Arsenal can go one point clear of City when they meet Aston Villa larter today.
Dropped points mean Jurge Klopp faces an uphill task to sign off in his final season as Liverpool manager with a second Premier League title.
The setback also has echoes of Liverpool’s infamous 3-3 slip-up at Palace when chasing the title in 2016 – an occasion dubbed “Crystanbul” for its echoes to the Reds’ 2005 Champions League comeback.
As in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Manchester United, Liverpool bombarded their opponents but lacked cutting edge in front of goal.
In fact, Palace came closest to scoring again before half time when Andy Robertson scurried back to clear off the line from Jean Philippe Mateta.
The visitors’ goalkeeper Dean Henderson did his England claims no harm with smart saves, including with his knees from Darwin Nunez.
Joachim Andersen diverted Dominik Szoboszlai’s effort, Nathaniel Clyne blocked Diogo Jota’s goal-bound shot and Tyrick Mitchell denied Mohamed Salah from two yards.
In a contest full of goal-mouth action, Curtis Jones also shot wide when through for Liverpool, while Alisson somehow sent Mateta’s point-blank volley over the bar.
Eze’s goal put a dent in Liverpool’s title bid and handed Palace a precious win