Liverpool were unable to bounce back from a dire midweek defeat to Real Madrid after being held to a goalless draw at Crystal Palace, though Patrick Vieira’s wait for a first win of the year continues.
Arriving off the back of conceding five UEFA Champions League goals at Anfield for the first time – all but ending their European adventures for this campaign – the Reds needed an immediate response to keep pressure on the Premier League top-four.
Darwin Núñez’s absence therefore caused Jürgen Klopp a headache, though it gave him the chance to hand Diogo Jota a first start since October, with Liverpool taking charge of the game early on.
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It wasn’t long before all-too-familiar nerves started to surface in Liverpool’s backline, as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s misplaced backpass gave Jean-Philippe Mateta an early opening, though the Palace forward fluffed his lines when one-on-one with Alisson.
Palace continued to toil in front of their pleading home faithful however, knowing that a first home win since October could serve as the ultimate pressure release with Vieira’s struggling side looking to escape potential drop-zone drama.
The German’s shuffle drew a blank however, and Liverpool’s difficult evening was summed up as Cody Gakpo chipped wide when through on goal in the final 10 minutes.
