Liverpool’s central defenders made penalties errors, but Salah and Elliott turned the deficit into a win – Soccernet.ee

Liverpool turned a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 victory against ten-man Crystal Palace in the second half of their opening match of the Premier League round of 16.

Although Liverpool had more possession and more shots away from home in the first half, Crystal Palace’s best chance came when Alisson Becker blocked Jefferson Lerma’s close-range shot at the post. Just a few minutes later, Virgil van Dijk committed a penalty foul on Odsonne Edouard in his own penalty area, but as Will Hughes had previously robbed Wataru Endo of the ball at the cost of a foul, referee Andy Madley disallowed the penalty with the help of VAR.

In the second half, however, Liverpool had no luck with VAR. 20-year-old Jarell Quansah, operating alongside Van Dijk in central defence, fouled Jean-Philippe Mateta in his penalty area and Madley was called for a second block. Madley awarded a penalty to Crystal Palace, which Mateta confidently converted in the 57th minute. Quansah was replaced after a penalty foul and Ibrahima Konate was moved next to van Dijk.

Crystal Palace’s situation became more difficult in the 75th minute when Jordan Ayew stopped a promising Liverpool attack and received a second yellow card for it. Liverpool equalized in the next attack when Mohamed Salah hit the ball into the net from the center of the penalty area. It was Liverpool’s first shot on target.

Five players have scored 200 goals for Liverpool:

◎ 346 – Ian Rush
◎ 285 – Roger Hunt
◎ 241 – Gordon Hodgson
◎ 228 – Billy Liddell
◉ 200 – Mohamed Salah 🆕

Next stop: 300. pic.twitter.com/ONgL2MBNP4
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 9, 2023

Towards the end of the match, Crystal Palace forced a goal change when Sam Johnstone was replaced by 29-year-old Premier League debutant Remi Matthews. Crystal Palace failed to hold on to a draw as Matthews failed to keep out Harvey Elliott’s long-range shot in the first minute of injury time. In the tenth minute of extra time, Joachim Andersen had a super chance to score the equaliser, but Alisson blocked a close-range shot from the Crystal Palace defender from the goal line. Then the hosts earned two more corners, but not so dangerous.

Liverpool moved to the top of the table with a hard-fought victory, ahead of Arsenal, who have played fewer games, by one point and Aston Villa by four points. Arsenal and Aston Villa meet tonight. Crystal Palace remain in 14th place, seven points away from the danger zone.

Crystal Palace – Liverpool 1:2 (0:0)
57. pen. Jean-Philippe Mateta – 76. Mohamed Salah, 90+1. Harvey Elliott

Removal: 75. Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)

Classification:

aaa