Liverpool’s frustration at missed chances in their 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace was justified by the damning statistics that emerged from the match. This defeat marked the second consecutive loss at Anfield in front of fans since January 2017, highlighting the rarity of such an occurrence. What makes this defeat even more significant is that Crystal Palace is the only team to have beaten Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield more than once in the Premier League, emphasizing the strength of Liverpool’s home ground as a fortress.
Despite Liverpool’s reputation for comebacks, having already won 27 points from losing positions this season, they were unable to overturn the deficit on this occasion. The main reason for their failure was their poor finishing. While Liverpool’s general play was frustrating at times, they still managed to create ample opportunities to score the two goals needed to turn the match around. However, according to FotMob, they missed all four of their big chances and only managed six shots on target out of 21 attempts.
The expected goals (xG) figures further highlight Liverpool’s wastefulness in front of goal. With xG figures of 2.81 against Crystal Palace, 2.6 against Atalanta, and 3.67 against Manchester United, it is evident that the chances are there, but the attackers are failing to convert them into goals. None of Liverpool’s starting front three could claim to have played well against Crystal Palace, with Cody Gakpo, who has recently faced criticism, being more effective in the team’s last two outings.
Darwin Nunez, who has only scored one goal in his last six games, has been particularly underperforming in front of goal this season, as shown by a graphic from the Anfield Index Under Pressure Podcast. Mo Salah, although having a better goalscoring record than Nunez, has been lacking in his overall contribution since returning from injury, particularly in the past week, where he has only managed two successful dribbles in his last four starts. Diaz, on the other hand, has been influential in recent games but still failed to contribute significantly in front of goal, creating zero chances against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool’s problems extend beyond their attack, as they are currently experiencing their joint-longest run at home without a clean sheet in the Premier League, according to Opta. In the last nine Premier League games at Anfield, Liverpool has conceded in each match, reflecting their defensive struggles.
While Liverpool may have missed plenty of chances against Crystal Palace, it is worth noting that the opposition also had their moments. FotMob indicates that Jean-Philippe Mateta missed two big chances during the match. This highlights the importance of clinical finishing and strong defensive performances for Liverpool to win matches, something they have been lacking in recent weeks.
Overall, Liverpool’s loss to Crystal Palace exposed their inefficiency in front of goal and defensive frailties. While they created numerous chances, the lack of clinical finishing cost them dearly. Additionally, their defensive record at home has been poor, further compounding their struggles. Addressing these issues will be crucial for Liverpool if they want to regain their winning form and compete at the highest level.