Objective to start his season. Such was the mission of Liverpool this Monday evening, at the end of Premier League Matchday 2, after being held in check the previous weekend on the lawn of promoted Fulham (2-2). It failed for the Reds, once again forced to settle for a draw this Monday, at Anfield, against Crystal Palace by Patrick Vieira (1-1). Less jostled than against the London club, the players of Jürgen Klopp, deprived of Thiago, Firmino or even Matip, will however be satisfied with this point taken in view of the scenario of the meeting.
Third-best team in Her Majesty’s Kingdom against the Big 6 last year, just behind Liverpool and Manchester City, Crystal Palace confirmed their status as a very difficult formation for the big guys to maneuver. Despite an almost one-sided first period, marked in particular by the failure of Núñez (9th), it was indeed the Eagles who opened the scoring against the run of play, on their first shot of the game. Served on a plate by Eze, Zaha, who went to the limit of offside, mystified Alisson (0-1, 32nd).
Diaz saves the Reds, a night to forget for Núñez
Enough to punish the Liverpuldians and their lack of efficiency (1st, 23rd, 24th), Guaita having kept his people in the match (17th, 29th, 44th), when his post did not save him on an unscrewed strike from the Uruguayan rookie of the Reds (45th + 3). Just after the break, Núñez once again distinguished himself by not making the right gesture in the decisive zone (48th)… before completely breaking down, and giving in to Andersen’s provocation by delivering a kick. ball to the former OL, earning him a direct red card (57th). As the match became more and more complicated for the locals, Diaz sounded the revolt with a nice number as a soloist (1-1, 61st).
An achievement full of envy which had the gift of waking up the supporters of the Reds, more conquering and still as dominant despite their numerical inferiority. But that wasn’t really enough to worry Guaita. Zaha, throwing himself on a cross from the former Lensois Doucouré, even found Alisson’s post after being forgotten by the incoming Gomez (78th). The outcome could therefore have been much worse for Liverpool, who had not been unable to win on the first two days of the championship for 10 years. The Derby of England, next Sunday at Old Trafford, will be scrutinized even more closely between two sleeping beasts. Palace, defeated by Arsenal (0-2) at the start of Premier Leaguecollects a good point which will have to be confirmed against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park.