Liverpool’s dramatic 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League match at Selhurst Park Stadium on Saturday (11/23).
Midway through the first half Palace had several chances to score. One of them through Wilfried Zaha in the 22nd minute.
Zaha is in an open position to open fire after receiving a cross from the right. However, the former Manchester United player was too in a hurry that his right-foot speculation kick was inaccurate. Yet at that time Zaha was not under the tight guard of the Liverpool defender.
In the first round Liverpool rarely get a goal opportunity. Palace seemed to know very well how to make Juergen Klopp’s team do not move.
Palace scored first in the 42nd minute James Tomkins’ header from a free kick from the left. There was a protest from a Liverpool player, referee Kevin Friend chose to communicate with VAR officers.
Referee finally annulled Palace’s goal. In replays Palace players are found to have committed a foul in the penalty box when the free kick was taken.
Liverpool, who continue to be under pressure from Palace, took the lead in the 49th minute thanks to Sadio Mane’s goal from Andrew Robertson’s cross.
With one control, Mane immediately released the right foot kick. The ball that hit the opponent defender was pushed over by goalkeeper Guaita, but the ball hit the pole and still entered the goal.
Midfielder Luka Milivojevic almost equalized in the 56th minute. However, Milivojevic’s shot from outside the penalty box was still thin on the right side of Alisson’s goal.
In the 65th minute Roberto Firmino failed to increase Liverpool’s advantage despite having an open opportunity to score. Firmino’s kick can still be pushed over by goalkeeper Guaita.
Substitute Jeffrey Schlupp also does not want to be left behind in creating opportunities for Palace. Schlupp fired a shot from outside the penalty box, but blocked by Alisson.
Christian Benteke who entered in the second round could make Selhurst Park rumble because of an acrobatic kick utilizing feedback from the right. Unfortunately, Benteke’s action could not produce a goal after his shot narrowly sideways on the left side of the goalkeeper Alisson.
Wilfried Zaha really made the Selhurst Park public cheer in the 82nd minute after his shot pierced Alisson’s goal. After receiving Andros Towsend’s pass, Zaha first outwitted Liverpool’s defense before releasing a hard right-footed kick.
Liverpool immediately responded quickly Palace’s goal through Firmino in the 85th minute. The Brazilian striker brought the Reds back to 2-1 after taking advantage of the turmoil in front of the opponent’s goal.
In the 90th minute + 2 Zaha again eliminated the host’s opportunity to score. In the best position to score after only dealing with Alisson, Zaha’s volley flew just above the Liverpool goal. Liverpool finally won 2-1 over Palace.
