Liverpool boss hails the Eagles for “deserved” win
Arne Slot has torn into his side’s defending after conceding a late goal to lose their first game of the season against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Eddie Nketiah came off the bench to score the decisive goal for the home side in stoppage time, punishing Liverpool for switching off in the final seconds. The result extended the Eagles’ unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 matches, while ending Liverpool’s seven-game winning run and perfect start to the Premier League campaign.
“We can only blame ourselves for defending the way we did,” said Slot. “One of our players ran out because he wanted to play a counter-attack, which was of no use because time was up, so it was only about defending.
“One player was too offensively minded in that moment, which led to them scoring the winner and us losing the game.
“Disappointing first half and disappointing end to the game.”
Senegal international Ismaila Sarr gave Oliver Glasner’s side the lead early in the first half and followed it up with a dominant spell in which Palace repeatedly exposed Liverpool’s defence. Arne Slot’s team had goalkeeper Alisson to thank for going into the break just one goal behind, although Palace were also profligate.
Liverpool improved after the interval and eventually found a breakthrough in the 90th minute when Federico Chiesa levelled with a close-range finish. But just as it seemed the visitors had salvaged a point, Nketiah enjoyed his moment.
The defeat was Liverpool’s second against Palace this season, after also losing to them in the Community Shield match last month.
“Once again, credit to Palace,” said Slot. “We have played them four times [in Slot’s tenure] and we’ve won one, drawn one and lost two. It tells you how difficult it is to beat them. They deserved to be up two or three goals in the first half.
“They created four really good chances, but the second half was much better for us and we created chances and not many teams do. It took a while for us to score. To concede another set-piece goal is disappointing.
“We were able to create a lot against a Palace team which hardly ever concedes chances. When you look at the first half they totally deserved to win. Second half we were better. If one team deserved to win today it was Palace.”
