Palace Post-Mortem

Problems on the (training) pitch?

Well, what a night that was.

There was a lot to look forward in this game. The home debut of record signing, Darwin Nunez, the return of Joe Gomez to the successful centre back partnership with Virgil van Dijk.

It’s fair to say that the evening didn’t quite pan out as expected.

The anticipated return of Gomez was delayed until the second half as, seemingly not quite at full match fitness on the day of the game, Nat Phillips was thrown in ahead of him. This worried some, but Phillips looked solid for the majority of his time on the pitch. His combative style rattled Palace’s attack early in the first half. But as the first period wore on and Liverpool dominated possession, pinning Palace back in their own half, the Reds’ defensive line crept up the pitch. This ultimately left Phillips vulnerable as with apace mounting a counter attack he was caught flat-footed, and soon lost ground on Wilifried Zaha. Virgil Van Dijk arrived just too late to cover and Zaha slotted the ball home. 0-1.

For all Liverpool’s domination in the first half, the end product was lacking, with Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez missing crucial chances. As the latter’s attempt came back off the post, Van Dijk’s wild swing at the rebound missed. It looked like the writing was on the wall.

Harvey Elliott’s new contract looked absolutely warranted as the fearless young midfielder threw himself into every challenge and showed excellent running and a range of passing of which Thiago would have been proud. Elliott’s performance indicated a progression towards something Liverpool have not often sought in recent years, goals from midfield. While he didn’t score on the night, he was getting on the positions, driving into the box and showing energy levels the more senior midfielders could only hope to attain. It is merely a matter of time.

Palace grew in confidence in the second half but didn’t look like adding to their tally. Liverpool continued to spurn chances and, it pains me to say this, some great gamesmanship from Joachim Anderson made matters significantly worse. Anderson’s capitalised on Nunez’ lack of Premiership experience, roughing him up a bit and eventually provoking a reaction. Nunez head butted Anderson. Anderson made the most of it and Nunez was shown a straight red.

While we saw from Nunez the hot-headedness we’ve witnessed from a former Uruguayan on our books, Luis Diaz stepped up and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in a way reminiscent of Luis Suarez’ better qualities.

Diaz was a man on a mission and fewer finer goals have been scored at the Kop end as he cut in from the wing and weaved his way in between the Palace back line, smashing home from just out side the box.

Liverpool briefly looked to have the momentum to carry on and win the game, but were caught napping at the back again as Zaha inexplicably hit the outside of the post from almost point blank range.

Many were already exiting the stadium by this point, prompting chants about fire drills from the away end. A common occurrence these days.

Liverpool’s performance was again lethargic, albeit less-so that the Fulham game. Significantly, Fabinho looked off the pace, but he wasn’t the only one looking tired. Despite being on top for much of the game, both wing backs again looked a little off the pace and passing accuracy was often missing.

With such a long injury list, as happened early in the last two seasons, it begs questions of the pre-season and early season training regimes. Flying all around the world every summer to boost sales and expand markets looks great for the accounts team and the owners, but the first team back room staff must be struggling to balance this as it limits time on the training pitch and adds fatigue to players recovering from already intense schedules. Klopp demands intensity from his team, without it they would be a shadow of the successful outfit he’s built. But building it is one thing, maintaining it is another. The team can’t afford to take their collective foot off the gas and it is taking its toll.

While people can point to Man City matching Liverpool’s style, in many respects, squad depth has been key to damage limitation. Only now are Liverpool approaching the squad depth City have had for years, but they still aren’t quite there.

The factors contributing to the repeated injury crises may be many and varied, but years of playing at this level of intensity is bound to wear some of the long-term club servants down.

We’ve been here before though and recovered well. I have no doubt that this will be the case and as the injury list once again shortens, the benefits of the improved depth will really come to the fore.

We’re still only two games in. Sure, points have been dropped, but Liverpool only missed out last term by a point (and a dodgy referring decision in Man City’s game against the Toffees) having trailed by 14 points earlier in the season.

City will drop points, Liverpool will reagin form. This is fact.

YNWA