Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes have taken a major blow following their second consecutive defeat at Anfield. The team’s lack of goals has been a significant factor in their recent struggles.
Alisson Becker returned to the starting lineup after being sidelined for the previous match. Although Caoimhin Kelleher performed well during his absence, Alisson’s return reaffirmed his status as the first-choice goalkeeper. However, Alisson was left exposed by the defense multiple times in the first half, leading to Crystal Palace’s early goal.
The team’s lackluster performance did not reflect Jurgen Klopp’s promise of an angry response after their midweek defeat. Instead, Liverpool appeared slow, ponderous, and lacking in movement and organization. Although the tempo improved as the match progressed, the team continued to struggle with misplaced passes and rushed, panicked play.
One of Liverpool’s main issues has been their failure to convert scoring opportunities. Despite creating over 20 chances in the match, the team was unable to find the back of the net. Missed chances have been a recurring problem for Liverpool in recent matches, resulting in dropped points and missed opportunities to secure victories.
The responsibility for this lack of clinical finishing falls on the entire team, not just individual players. Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones were particularly guilty of missing golden opportunities against Crystal Palace. However, the team as a whole must take responsibility for their collective failure to convert chances into goals.
Liverpool’s recent downturn in form has left Klopp with the difficult task of deciding which players deserve to start based on their performance rather than just their fitness. While Andy Robertson had a decent outing against Crystal Palace, only a few players have consistently performed well. Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Alexis Mac Allister have all struggled to make an impact in recent matches.
With their title chances now effectively extinguished, Liverpool must shift their focus to salvaging their season. The Europa League, once a potential opportunity for silverware, now hangs in the balance. The team will need a miraculous turnaround in the second leg against Atalanta to have any chance of progressing. In the Premier League, Liverpool’s remaining fixtures may lack significance unless they can catch up to Arsenal and Manchester City.
Klopp’s task moving forward is to rally his team, adopt an underdog mentality, and find a way to return to winning ways. Liverpool had their chance to secure a successful season, but it appears they may have squandered it.