LONDON — Liverpool’s season is starting to unravel, as manager Jurgen Klopp is at a loss to explain why.
A 1-0 home loss to Crystal Palace damaged Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge, three days after a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta at Anfield in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
Those consecutive home losses come after last Sunday’s draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford and leave Klopp’s side looking up the table at leaders Manchester City yet again.
“Could be,” Klopp said, when asked if the loss to Palace was a hangover from the defeat to Atalanta. “If you look at my teams over the years, I think you could say our pressing is usually good, the counter-press is there. The first half [against Palace], we were open — like how can that happen?
“It’s only a few days ago that we played a bad game, so it might have something to do with that. Actually it was a really good game, without scoring. But it’s not that easy unfortunately,” he added according to ESPN.
Eberechi Eze stroked home a finish from Tyrick Mitchell’s cutback in the 14th minute to consign Liverpool to its first loss in the league at Anfield in 28 matches — stretching back to October 2022.
Palace could have doubled their lead in the first half when Jean-Philippe Mateta chipped past Liverpool keeper Alisson. The ball was bound for goal but defender Andy Robertson sprinted back and slid to just save it on the line.
“So frustrating. So many chances,” Robertson told Sky Sports. “First half I thought we were poor and [Palace] were on top and could have been more than 1-0 up. Second half we had enough chances to win two or three games.”
It was the 21st time the Reds have gone behind in 32 league games this season and they couldn’t recover, despite Wataru Endo hitting the crossbar midway through the first half and Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones squandering golden chances in front of the Kop after the break.
In the final minutes, Mohamed Salah was presented with an easy opportunity to score from close range for Liverpool, but his prod toward goal was weak and blocked by the outstretched leg of Mitchell, who made a despairing challenge.
“I would say with the chances we had, we were really unlucky,” Klopp said. “In the second half, Crystal Palace was lucky we didn’t punish them but that’s why we are stood here with no points and Crystal Palace has three.”
Liverpool started the weekend in second place, behind Arsenal on goal difference, but is now two points adrift of Manchester City after the champions’ 5-1 thrashing of Luton Town Saturday and finished the day in third on goal difference despite a Gunners’ loss to Aston Villa.
“Of course you have to ask these questions — what does it mean for the title race and stuff like this,” Klopp said according to AP. “I’m not dumb, I know that.
“The answer is pretty easy: if we play like we did in the first half, why should we win the league?”
Palace is now in 14th place on 33 points with six games left in the season.
“It’s an outstanding win at Anfield — it’s so difficult to win here,” Palace boss Oliver Glasner said. “How they played, especially in the first half, is so nice to see. In the second half, there was a lot of pressure from Liverpool.
“It’s about being able to express yourself and play with confidence,” he added. We cleared many situations under pressure with one-two touch. We scored an amazing goal. It’s about confidence, team spirit, passion.”
Liverpool lost last month to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarterfinals, ending the possibility of an unlikely quadruple of trophies this season with the League Cup already secured.
Arsenal’s Premier League title push was hit by late goals from Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins as they suffered a surprise 2-0 home defeat to hand the initiative to leaders and defending champions Manchester City.
Villa substitute Bailey tapped home from close range in the 84th minute before Watkins’ sublime finish three minutes later sent Gunners fans streaming for the exits.
Arsenal’s loss, their first in 12 league games, leaves them in second place, two points behind City and level on points with third-placed Liverpool with six games left to play.
“We knew that this moment could come and now it’s about reacting and keep believing and doing what we can,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said according to Reuters.
“Now is the moment to stand up, as a leader, as a character, to make yourself count. When you win and win and win for four months, it’s very, very simple to do it. The moment is now.”
