No one will make a movie about Liverpool's season says Klopp, after forgettable Palace draw
By Sam Wallace, Chief Football Writer at Selhurst Park
In the long and memorable existence of Liverpool, the season of 2022-2023, Jurgen Klopp was at pains to point out, will not be one that will trouble the historians for too long - or indeed the documentary makers for whom modern football is such fertile ground.
“There will not be big movies about it or stuff like this,” Klopp declared after a goalless draw at Selhurst Park that slipped almost instantly from the memory, “but we have to go through it anyway and we will.” He is taking a very clear position that the players who have won Premier League and Champions League titles, as well as a League Cup and FA Cup last season, should not suffer by comparison to previous achievements.
“We keep going,” Klopp said. “I see in your eyes and in the players' eyes it looks like we lost the game - we didn’t. We spoil ourselves with a lot of things but we cannot suffer because of our own history - that would really be a joke. This will not be the season in the history books when you say ‘Let’s have a look at that season again and again and again’”.
They will certainly not be re-watching this away trip to Crystal Palace any more than is necessary, but the season itself may nevertheless prove pivotal for Kloppologists charting the progress of his era. Once again there were fresh injuries – Darwin Nunez suffering from a shoulder so painful that he could not take a second injection to get him through. The Uruguayan had done so in order to play against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Injuries mean that Klopp is still also without Luis Diaz, Thiago Alcantara and Ibrahima Konate, among others, but it goes deeper than that. This was another quiet night for Mohamed Salah and at times, a rather alarming one for Joel Matip in defence, in place of Joe Gomez who was injured this week.
As they chased a winner, Klopp chose to substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold to move things around and accommodate Fabinho in midfield – unthinkable one year ago. The Liverpool manager played down the significance of that decision later, pointing out that his right-back was due a break but even so it was indicative of the general mediocrity.
These are not valuable single points for a Liverpool team that ended the night in seventh place. The top four is still only six points away but they felt a long way from that elite. Small details but since Klopp came to Liverpool he has won every league fixture away at Palace until this season – “an insane record” he later said - when both home and away have ended in draws.
Patrick Vieira’s side did not have a single effort on target despite creating the best chances in the first half and by the end it was them pushing hardest for the winner. They had won another corner when referee Darren England blew the final whistle and after the protests, the cards were out again on what was not the official’s finest night. An accomplished performance defensively for Palace and in midfield the excellent Michael Olise gave his side confidence.
Vieira was conciliatory afterwards towards referee England’s decision. He had approached him on the pitch as his Palace players protested. “He gave me a good answer,” Vieira said of the exchange. Palace had, he admitted, been under the hammer for the first 20 minutes of the second half when Salah had stroked a left-footed shot against the bar but the home side came back into it well.
Klopp would later bemoan the fact that when his side first played a diagonal ball in behind that did not work, they did not try it again for the entirety of the first half. There were also too few runs in behind, he felt, to stretch Palace. Yet there were also problems for Liverpool defensively.
It looked like Vieira had set up the press to force his goalkeeper Alisson to make Matip the out-ball whenever they could. Between them, Matip and Alexander-Arnold gave up possession more times than they might usually dare without conceding. Palace, as has often been the problem this season, could just not take the chance. There were two such opportunities for Jean-Philippe Mateta who has failed to score with any of his last 21 attempts on goal going back to August.
No Wilfried Zaha for Palace, despite his return to training this week. This was his fourth game absent with the hamstring injury he sustained at home to Newcastle United more than one month earlier. There was a first Liverpool start for Diogo Jota since his injury against Manchester City on Oct 16. Klopp substituted Naby Keita at half-time, not a hard decision given his first half and the booking he had picked up. On in Keita’s place, Harvey Elliott offered a great deal more energy.
It was Olise’s confidence that helped Palace to get through the storm at the start of the second half. “That was his most complete game, “ Vieira said. “Even defensively he was working really well.”
As for Klopp, he was managing the expectations. “We have to keep going. Take the thing and go again. And that’s what we will do. Nothing really changed tonight. You can see it two ways. We didn’t win and that sounds very negative. We have a point more than before. I think that sounds really positive. We can choose.”
Liverpool stumble in top four race: as it happened
09:56 PM
Final thoughts
It finished goalless at Selhurst Park as both sides failed to capitalise on good chances. That's it from us. We will be back tomorrow when Tottenham play Chelsea. Goodnight
09:53 PM
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, speaking to Sky Sports:
"I think the team did well. It’s a performance we can be proud of. Liverpool are always a tough side to play against. There's a little bit of disappointment because we felt we could have nicked it.
"We had a good opportunity in the first half and we carried that on in the second half. If we can continue like this, it’s a good thing.
"I think in parts of the game we showed good composure to stay on the ball. It was a bit frantic at times, but in the right moments we managed to control possession.
"When you play against Liverpool, regardless of the form they're in, it’s positive to get a point. It's great to do that in front of our own fans.
"I feel sometimes we could do a little bit better, but the Premier League’s a tough league. I think it’s important that we build on this performance. [The win] will come, the boys are working extremely hard."
09:49 PM
What's next?
Liverpool now take on Wolves, with Julen Lopetegui's side visiting Anfield on Wednesday
Crystal Palace's next game is at Aston Villa on Saturday
09:46 PM
A point for Palace at last against Liverpool
This is Crystal Palace's first home point against Liverpool since 23 November 2014, when they won 3-1.
They had lost their last eight home games with the Reds in all competitions.
09:45 PM
Big chance for Gakpo near the end to win it for Liverpool
A BIG opening for Liverpool and Gakpo can't convert! 😬❌ pic.twitter.com/9LANrezRCi
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 25, 2023
09:42 PM
Palace players not happy at full-time
It ends GOALLESS at Selhurst Park...
And Joachim Andersen is NOT happy! 😡 pic.twitter.com/mdsdN6qqwg— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 25, 2023
09:38 PM
FULL-TIME: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
A late free-kick and corner for the home side but it comes to nothing and referee Darren England blows for full-time. Both teams had chances but neither side could take any of them. A draw is probably a fair result.
09:33 PM
90 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
We head into added time. 3 minutes in total. Neither side really looks like scoring a winner here. A draw would probably be a fair result
09:27 PM
84 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Another change for Liverpool with Stefan Bajcetic on for Gakpo
09:25 PM
81 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Big, big chance for Liverpool! Salah feeds the ball beautifully into Gakpo who is one-on-one with Guaita. He should do better but he pokes it wide. Gakpo was claiming he was fouled by Guaita after the shot but the referee disagreed
09:21 PM
78 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
A round of applause goes around Selhurst Park in tribute to the late John Motson, who passed away this week
09:20 PM
77 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Which is wasted. A short free-kick routine doesn't work and Doucoure's shot goes well over the bar
09:19 PM
76 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Fabinho goes into the book for Liverpool after cynically taking down Ayew. A free-kick for the home side in a good area...
09:16 PM
This was how close Salah came to giving Liverpool the lead
SO CLOSE! 🤏
What a STRIKE from Salah, denied by the woodwork! ❌ pic.twitter.com/oEOnFNlnp7— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 25, 2023
09:14 PM
Sam Wallace live at Selhurst Park
Michael Olise is having a great game. He drew a player as experienced as Jordan Henderson into that foul. The Liverpool pressure at the start of the half is waning. Pity for Olise the free-kick was so poor.
09:13 PM
70 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Both sides making much needed changes. For Crystal Palace, Eze and Edouard come on for Schlupp and Mateta. Liverpool bring on Firmino and Fabinho for Jota and Alexander-Arnold
09:11 PM
68 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
A free-kick in a dangerous area for the home side hits the wall and is cleared away. Wasted set-piece opportunity for the Eagles
09:07 PM
64 mins; Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool have lost their fluency that they had at the start of this second half, becoming sloppy in possession. It looks like both sides are in need of some substitutions
09:05 PM
62 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
The home side are preparing a substitution with Eberechi Eze about to come on
08:59 PM
55 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool growing in confidence and dominating the early stages of this second half. They have won a number of corners and are knocking at the door. A few appeals as well for handball but nothing given. Jota then fires over
08:54 PM
51 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
The game is opening up and Liverpool come close to scoring again as an Alexander-Arnold cross is tipped over the bar
08:52 PM
48 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
HIT THE BAR! So nearly the opening goal for Liverpool. Salah cuts in on his left foot as he has done so many times to great effect in his career and his curling shot hits the bar. So unlucky for Salah and Liverpool
08:51 PM
47 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Chance for Crystal Palace as Schlupp has a tame header at the back post which Alisson mops up. It did look like a push in the back from Schlupp on Alexander-Arnold before the header
08:49 PM
46 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Nearly an instant impact from Elliott as he dinks a lovely ball into the area which Jota just can't quite get on the end of for the visitors
08:48 PM
SECOND HALF: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Looks like Liverpool are making a substitution at half-time. Harvey Elliott is on for Naby Keita, who was on a yellow card. We are back underway for the second half
08:43 PM
Happy hunting ground
Jurgen Klopp has won all seven of his Premier League visits to Crystal Palace - a record for most away matches won by a manager without ever dropping points.
08:39 PM
Sam Wallace live from Selhurst Park
The better chances of the first half have been created by Palace. They have forced Matip and Alexander-Arnold into mistakes, and should have capitalised on one. Two decent Olise crosses into the box this half - one from a free-kick. All good opportunities. Palace's press seems to be forcing Alisson to make the pass out to Matip as the least-worst option.
08:38 PM
Premier League scores
There were 5 other games in the Premier League today:
Everton 0-2 Aston Villa
Leeds 1-0 Southampton
Leicester 0-1 Arsenal
West Ham 4-0 Nottingham Forest
Bournemouth 1-4 Manchester City
08:34 PM
HALF-TIME: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Nearly a chance for Gapko but Andersen clears it away and that is half-time. Chances for both sides in that first half, with Jota going close for Liverpool and Guehi and Mateta having good chances for Crystal Palace. Goalless at the break though
08:27 PM
41 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Mateta should scored for the home side. Alexander-Arnold loses the ball in a dangerous area and Mateta's strike from around 6 yards out hits the top of the bar and goes over.
08:27 PM
39 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
A cross is played to the back post by Crystal Palace which Olise volleys back into the centre of the box. Keita intercepts but it nearly ends up in the back of his own net. Palace's corner comes to nothing and Liverpool break through Salah. He cuts in on his left foot but his curled shot is straight at Guaita
08:23 PM
35 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Keita needs to be careful now; he is already on a yellow card. Palace have a good chance to take the lead. A dangerous ball is put in by Olise but no Palace forward can get their head on the cross
08:20 PM
Close
08:18 PM
31 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool starting to step it up. Great interchanges between Robertson, Jota and Gakpo down the left. Gakpo has a shot blocked. It is then worked out to Alexander-Arnold whose cross is also blocked
08:16 PM
Sam Wallace live from Selhurst Park
Slow start from Liverpool who look a bit vulnerable under the Palace press. The pressure has been on Joel Matip a few times for the out-ball and he has not looked confident with his passing. He is back in the team with Joe Gomez injured.
08:15 PM
28 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold's shot looks like it is going in but it deflects off Jordan Henderson and out for a goal-kick. Palace were very lucky there that it hit Henderson as it was on target
08:12 PM
26 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Yellow card for Clyne, who fouls Jota right on the edge of Palace's box. Free-kick in a dangerous area for Liverpool here...
08:10 PM
23 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Great chance for the home side. A free-kick is whipped in from the left-hand side and Guehi heads wide from around 8 yards out
08:09 PM
22 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Hit the post! Matip lobs a ball to the back post where Jota is unmarked. His header hits the outside of the post and goes behind. It was from a very tight angle but it was a chance for the Portuguese forward
08:07 PM
21 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool have a free-kick in a dangerous area. Olise, who looks like he gets the ball, is adjudged to have fouled Gakpo. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson stand over it
08:04 PM
17 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
First shot on target for the visitors. Robertson plays a ball into the box which is headed away. It falls into the path of Diogo Jota, whose powerful volley is hit straight at Guaita
07:59 PM
12 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool under no pressure but Alexander-Arnold gifts possession away in a dangerous area. Mateta is through one-on-one with Alisson but the Brazilian goalkeeper gets a hand on it and it goes out for a corner, which comes to nothing
07:57 PM
10 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool come forward through Gakpo as he drives from halfway. He feeds it into the path of Salah on the edge of the box but he drags his shot wide. Salah is just two goals away from equalling Robbie Fowler's Liverpool record of 128 Premier League goals.
07:54 PM
8 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool unhappy to not be given a free-kick on the edge of the area after a foul on Gakpo
07:53 PM
7 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Robertson plays a ball in from the left as Liverpool come forward but it is cleared away
07:52 PM
6 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Crystal Palace are yet to win in the league in 2023. Their last league victory came at the end of December in a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth
07:50 PM
3 mins: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
No chances as of yet. Liverpool are looking to build on successive league victories over Everton and Newcastle respectively with another 3 points tonight. A win would take the visitors to within 4 points of the top four with a game in hand
07:45 PM
KICK-OFF: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
We are underway
07:42 PM
Nearly time
The players are on their way out and kick-off is nearly upon us
07:41 PM
Palace warming up
Warming up on a cold night 🥶#CPFC | #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/wp32ixtStD
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 25, 2023
07:40 PM
Virgil is ready
Full focus on #CRYLIV 👀 pic.twitter.com/xpTBTAfa0X
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 25, 2023
07:35 PM
Patrick Vieira on seven games without a win
We have to look at the performances, at time we are unlucky not to take the three points.
07:34 PM
Klopp on what his team need to do
We've played quite consistently with the same team for three games, with three games coming up we cannot force them through.
Darwin hurt his shoulder against Newcastle, was ok for mid-week but felt another knock again. Hopefully he can be back for the next game.
We have to first and foremost bring the same desire and excitement we had for the Madrid game because all these league games are so important for us.
People said we had a good first 20 minutes against Madrid, but the whole first half was good.
07:20 PM
Always a tough place to go Selhurst Park...
...but not if you're Liverpool. They have won their last seven Premier League away games against Crystal Palace by an aggregate score of 22-6. Only at Norwich (8 between 1995 and 2021) have they had a longer away winning run at a ground in Premier League history.
06:53 PM
Team news
Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Doucoure, Sambi Lokonga, Olise, Ayew, Schlupp, Mateta
Subs: Ward, Milivojevic, Eze, McArthur, Hughes, Edouard, Richards, Ahamada, Whitworth
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Keita, Henderson, Milner, Salah, Gakpo, Jota
Subs: Fabinho, Firmino, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, Carvalho, Bajcetic, Williams, Kelleher
06:48 PM
Liverpool under the spotlight after Real Madrid humiliation
Liverpool look to bounce back after humiliating defeat in the Champions League
3 points are absolutely imperative for the visitors this afternoon as Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace. Despite going 2-0 up inside 15 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday night in their Champions League Last 16 first leg, Liverpool went on to lose 5-2 in a shambolic defeat.
The visitors head into the game 7 points off the top 4 in the league, but they do have two games in hand over Tottenham who sit in fourth. Liverpool come into tonight's game off the back of back-to-back Premier League victories, both 2-0 victories over Everton and Newcastle respectively. Their 2-0 win against Newcastle at St James' Park last Saturday was the Magpies' first defeat at home this season as Liverpool completed the double over them.
Liverpool do not have a great record away from home this season, losing nine of their 17 away games in all competitions so far this season.
For Crystal Palace, they were agonisingly close to all 3 points last weekend away at Brentford only to concede an equaliser in the 96th minute. They sit 12th in the Premier League table, 5 points above the relegation zone.
They are without a win since New Year's Eve, a run of eight games in all competitions.
Liverpool have won seven successive away league games against Crystal Palace by an aggregate score of 22-6. Liverpool know they need to keep winning to maintain their push for a top four spot, Palace need a win to make sure they are not looking over their shoulders for the rest of the season. Both sides need the 3 points tonight, for different reasons.
Full team news on the way shortly.
