Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title suffered a surprise blow after losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal meant Jurgen Klopp’s side were two points off first place, but Arsenal could increase the gap to three if they beat Aston Villa.
Struggling Palace started superbly and scored the only goal of the game after just 12 minutes, Eze neatly finishing off a flowing move down the left flank.
The Reds created numerous chances as they looked to respond, but Curtis Jones squandered the best ones after shooting wide in a one-on-one.
Here, sport mailDOMINIC KING has rated the players…
Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title suffered a blow after losing to Crystal Palace.
Eberechi Eze’s goal in the first half leaves Jurgen Klopp’s team adrift of Manchester City and Arsenal
Mohamed Salah could not rescue the Reds after rescuing a point at Old Trafford a week ago
Liverpool (4-3-3)
Alicia Becker – He was left cold with the goal that Palace scored, but showed his outstanding qualities in the second half with a fabulous save from Mateta – 6
Conor Bradley – A revelation since he joined the team, but his afternoon ended prematurely and an injury forced his substitution early in the second half – 6
Ibrahima Konate – His use of the ball was not what it should have been and Klopp let him in several times. Palace goal position not what it should have been 5
Virgil van Dijk – Had Robertson to thank when a slip almost led to Palace’s second goal. Not too long, but not one of his best days either. 6
Virgil van Dijk had Andy Robertson to thank as a slip almost led to Palace’s second goal
Robertson was at times a one man army and his energy in clearing the line was spectacular.
Andy Robertson – At times he was a one man army, his energy to back up and clear from his own goal line was spectacular. Choosing your team group – 7
Alexis Mac Allister – Worked hard but struggled to impose anything in midfield in one of his most disappointing outings in red so far. 5.5
Endo Wataru – He hasn’t looked the same since he missed the match against Sheffield United with a knock and was taken off at half-time after having problems again – 5
Curtis Jones – The attitude cannot be criticized, but he will be haunted by two missed opportunities in the second half that would have changed the game – 5
Luis Diaz – He thought a flying volley in the first half had put Liverpool back, but he was one of many who found Henderson an immovable object – 6.5
Darwin Nunez – One of those erratic afternoons in which you think it is going to come to life but in the end you can’t find the way out – 5
Another erratic afternoon for Darwin Núñez but in the end he couldn’t find a way out
Mohamed Salah – Another one who is losing his former shine and his performance was summed up when he was denied a touch from close range – 5
Mohamed Salah is missing his former brilliance and saw a clear chance blocked at the end.
Subs
Dominik Szoboszlai (for Endo 46mins) – spectacular first displays seem very far away at the moment – 5
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Bradley 50 minutes) – returned from injury but looked rusty – 5
Cody Gakpo (for Díaz 67 minutes) – A couple of good balls into the area but not enough influence – 5
Diogo Jota (for Núñez 67 minutes) – usually prolific but wasted two great opportunities – 5
Harvey Elliott (for Jones 83 minutes)
Manager
Jurgen Klopp – He seemed absolutely dejected in the final minutes because he knew that the goal was not going to come and that a dream was dying – 5
Jurgen Klopp looked dejected, as if he knew his team’s title challenge was dying.
CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-3)
Dean Henderson – A magnificent afternoon, best summed up by an incredible point-blank save to thwart Núñez – 8.5
Dean Henderson enjoyed a superb afternoon and made several eye-catching saves.
Joachim Andersen was imposing in the Palace defense and never let anything slip by.
Nathaniel Clyne – Back at one of his former clubs and with a performance that showed why defending has always come so naturally to him – 8
Joaquin Andersen – Rising in the center of his team’s defense, never letting anything through and blocking everything that stood in his way – 8
Jefferson Lerma – Booked late, but that didn’t affect his work for the day, as he worked diligently to keep Salah at arm’s length – 7
Daniel Muñoz – He traveled for miles along the flank and learned that he had been in a battle with Robertson, a battle he far surpassed – 7
Adam Wharton – Taking the championship step in stride, he stood firm at the heart of the battle with Liverpool’s three midfielders – 7
Will Hughes – He has always been a lovely footballer, very elegant in possession and this was the case again as he kept things going – 7
tyrick mitchell – A brilliant cross opened the door for Eze’s goal, but it was a complete display to show why Gareth Southgate always has him in his thoughts – 7.5
Michael Olise – There are many things I like about this forward, with his intelligent running and his energy. He didn’t seem happy when he came out… 7
There’s a lot to like about Michael Olise, who threatened his career and his energy.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta – I enjoyed going to war with Van Dijk and Konate and came out triumphant. He deserved a goal for everything he did and, really, he should have scored it. 8
Eberechi Eze – Delivered the moment that mattered, a calm and collected finish in front of The Kop to effectively end Liverpool’s title challenge – 7
Eberechi Eze (right) delivered the moment that mattered with a calm and collected finish.
Subs
Jordan Ayew (for Olise 69 minutes) – kept the pressure on the Liverpool defense – 6
Jairo Riedewald (by Clyne 77 minutes)
Jeffrey Schlupp (for Eze 78 minutes)
Joel Ward (for Hughes 77 minutes)
Manager
Oliver Glasner – The tactic worked wonders and how he enjoyed the moment at the final whistle, roaring with joy and engulfing his coaches in joy – 8
Referee
Chris Kavanagh – The referees have been in the spotlight at Liverpool all year, but there was nothing they could criticize here – 7