Liverpool 1 Crystal Palace 0 Match Report
By Josh Wee
Twelve year old Josh Wee is our youngest contributor to the site. However don't be fooled by his young age, this keen Red tells it like it is. Have a read and be prepared for some great match insight throughout the season from this talented up and coming Red journo.
In a very one sided game, Liverpool came out victorious. The men in Red had 72% possession and 18 total shots, but could only find the net once as Sadio Mane provided a late winner that won Liverpool their first game this season.
Daniel Sturridge produced flashes of his best form in Salah's place before the £34m signing came on to help his team - who were much better in the second half - to a hard-fought victory.
Mane's goal punctured the frustration which was building inside Anfield. A swift one-two with substitute Dom Solanke seemed to have been dealt with by Palace, only for the ball to roll kindly for the Senegal forward to poke past Hennessey.
After this win and a frustrating draw against Watford, they are placed 4th and are just behind Watford on goal difference. Palace have now not won a game yet as they were beaten by Huddersfield in a disappointing 3-0 defeat.
Palace got extremely close to finding the back of the net when Ruben Loftus Cheek made a breakthrough the Red defense. The former Chelsea player skipped past the defenders on the right side and then crossed it in low. He found and unmarked Benteke waiting to finish it. However, a stroke of luck came to Liverpool’s side as he skied a great opportunity.
Debutant Andrew Robertson created two great chances for Liverpool. Joel Matip headed a great chance wide, while Mane missed a glorious opportunity before he scored. He also impressed going forward while helping Liverpool produce a much-needed clean sheet after the defensive horror show in the 3-3 draw at Watford last week.
Klopp made five changes to the team that started the Champions League play-off win at Hoffenheim during the week and surprisingly left summer signing Mohamed Salah on the bench. After the match Crystal Palace manager Frank De Boer said "We were quite concentrated for almost all of the match. I saw a team who wants to fight for each other. It could be a draw, a Liverpool win or the other way - with our two chances it could have been different”.
Earlier this week, manager Jurgen Klopp rejected a 112 million pound offer for Coutinho. Lots of speculation has been surrounding the young Brazilian as he is trying to force a move to the Catalan Giants, Barcelona. Klopp did not add him to the squad against Crystal Palace so a transfer might be on the horizon. Will Coutinho sign for Barcelona?
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