Talking points from the Liverpool vs Crystal Palace game

Liverpool’s record against Crystal Palace prior to tonight’s match has not been its best. Last season, the fixture at Anfeild saw a defeat in Steven Gerrard’s final home game.

Now, with a few weeks under Klopp, Liverpool are starting to get a sense of his ideas and it is starting to reflect on the pitch. However, Palace still continue to get favourable results against Liverpool, having secured a 2-1 win at Anfield, handing Klopp his first defeat, in what was a fast-paced and entertaining match.

The 5 talking points from the match are:

1. Liverpool are now finally getting in the Klopp shape.

It has been a few weeks under Klopp and his ideas are now rubbing off on the players. The team are now playing a more direct, aggressive style of football with most unnecessary passes being eliminated.  This has allowed the team to keep pushing the ball forward, and getting more attacking chances.

On the defence, the team are pressing high up in an organized fashion and are now able to break on the counter more effectively than they used to do during the time under Brendan.  The forwards are even back tracking often, and all are contributing on the defence.

1. Palace have a team capable of brilliant counter attacks

Crystal Palace have been a rejuvenated team since Alan Pardrew took over. And with the likes of Sakho, Puncheon and Zaha in their frontline, along with Gayle when fit, Palace can actually be a very dangerous team on the counter. All of these players possess the height, speed and strength that could really cause any team problems down the line.

Having got 2 consecutive favourable results against Manchester United and Liverpool, Palace are without a doubt on an upward momentum and should make the most out of it.

1. Liverpool need to work on set piece defending

The second goal conceded by Liverpool came from a second chance during a set-piece. Scott Dan, who had his first header blocked, was able to pounce on the rebound without much interference from Robert Firminhio who was to mark Dan.

It has been a persistent weakness for Liverpool over the last few seasons, and Klopp should ideally concentrate on this aspect of the game during the International Break, with whichever players are available, and improve.

1. Palace need to play better from Open Play

The first goal scored by Crystal Palace was their first ever goal scored from Open-play this season, since August. In other words, a better part of 10 games where they have not been able to really score goals without set-pieces or penalties.

Given the kind of attacking players, and the intensity with which they play,  it is surprising, Zaha is one who can just make phenomenal runs and hold the play up for others to join. Puncheon also offers serious pace on the other side.

Injuries have played their part, but provided they have their strikers fit, Palace should aim at improving their finishing during matches.

5. Positivity in Defeat

It was Klopp’s first defeat but there are a lot of positives to take from the match. Firstly, the overall team effort from each player was commendable.  The likes of Couthinio, Ibe, Lallana, Benteke, Monero and Clyne were all combining well on the attack and the defending, was done well in numbers and Sakho, Lovern and Skertel were all able to execute clean tackles, along with others.

The team also had a fast intensity and urgency to attack, especially with one goal down. And unlike previous times, it was not a pure desperation attack, but intently moves. The morale blow from conceding a goal, is somewhat lessened since Klopp’s arrival at Anfeild.

The biggest positive is on the offence, as Liverpool are now attacking more and more, almost as good as their 2013/14 season days, although the attacks are sustained more throughout the game. And they are a threat on the counter.  They just need to tweak their finishing a tad bit more.

Jordan Ibe has been a revelation so far under Klopp.

The boss now has two weeks to really work on the short comings in the finishing and defending. But there will be a continued, positivity and confidence in Liverpool for the future.