Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace: Score, Report and Reaction from Premier League

Wilfried Zaha took just 22 seconds to spoil the party as Steven Gerrard's final Anfield appearance ended in a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Adam Lallana gave Liverpool a 26th-minute lead after former Reds defender Martin Kelly misplaced a pass. However, Jason Puncheon levelled the scoreline two minutes before half-time with a smart out-swinging free-kick over the Liverpool wall.

Palace manager Alan Pardew brought Zaha on in the 59th minute in place of Lee Chung-Yong, and the winger slotted home a Yannick Bolasie cross only seconds after his introduction.

Glenn Murray added a third for the Selhurst Park side in the 90th minute, firing home the rebound after Simon Mignolet parried his penalty following a Lucas Leiva foul on Zaha.

The defeat means Liverpool can no longer qualify for the Champions League. Their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League now come down to the final game of the season at Stoke City, where victory will ensure fifth place.

Palace, meanwhile, look to be in good shape as Pardew prepares for the final match of the campaign at home against Swansea next Sunday, with Puncheon and Bolasie proving to be constant threats to Liverpool.

Unsurprisingly, Gerrard started in his final competitive match at Anfield, but there was no place in the squad for Mario Balotelli or Fabio Borini.

Crystal Palace were merely the guests at the party, but Pardew kept in the spirit by bringing a bottle for the host:

The most notable change for the Eagles was a recall for former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh, as Pardew gave some fringe players a chance to impress.

Needless to say, the Liverpool captain was central to the action in the buildup to the match:

While Gerrard was the centre of attention, there was also public support for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Earlier this month, a plane carried a banner calling for Rodgers' ouster from Liverpool. On Saturday, however, another plane flew over Anfield, this time touting a banner in support of the embattled manager:

Perhaps with Gerrard's imminent retirement overshadowing the game, it was appropriate that the opening exchanges were quiet until Martin Skrtel headed a Gerrard free-kick wide in the 15th minute, while Mignolet did well to claim a Pape Souare cross into his six-yard area.

Bolasie broke down the left in the 22nd minute before cutting inside to try his luck from outside of the area, but Skrtel deflected his strike wide.

Four minutes later, former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly entered the party spirit by gifting the opener to the Reds when his poor ball left Scott Dann in trouble. Lallana chased through to fire past Wayne Hennessey in the Palace goal.

The Eagles almost hit back immediately, however, but Joe Ledley fired over after a Bolasie cross was only partially cleared.

Puncheon then produced a mazy run moments later, laying the ball off to Bolasie, who fired over, before Mignolet saved well from the architect of that move.

Jon Super/Associated Press

A Palace equaliser seemed imminent, and two minutes before half-time, Puncheon obliged with a free-kick over the Liverpool wall after Emre Can had been booked for bringing down Bolasie.

After the interval, Palace claimed a penalty after Skrtel appeared to handle inside the area seconds before the Slovakia international looked to have brought down Lee in the box. Referee Jon Moss dismissed both appeals.

Pardew switched Lee for Zaha after 59 minutes, and the winger had an immediate impact. Bolasie played a one-two with Ledley at the corner of Liverpool's box before sending the ball across the six-yard area. There was no Liverpool interception, and Zaha gratefully slotted home at the back post.

Gerrard went close in the 64th minute, when he attempted to sidefoot home from the edge of the Palace area, but Hennessey got down low to his left to thwart the departing home skipper.

Rodgers brought off Lallana and Jordon Ibe for Rickie Lambert and Leiva as he chased an equaliser.

But the next move belonged to Bolasie, who brought a ball over the top down superbly before forcing his way into the Liverpool box and clipped the crossbar with his strike.

Gerrard was granted a chance at goal once more in the 77th minute after Kelly felled Raheem Sterling, but his free-kick from distance failed to trouble Hennessey.

Puncheon almost added his second goal in the 89th minute, but Mignolet saved well before the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.

In the final minute of the game, Gerrard's party fell flat as Lucas fouled Zaha. Replays showed the challenge was outside of the area, but Murray stepped up for the spot-kick, which Nignolet parried, and then hit home the rebound.

The result was just the latest disappointment in Liverpool's underwhelming season, but the emotion of losing Gerrard played the biggest role on the day.

Selected Player Ratings

Steven Gerrard: A

It didn't matter how the Liverpool captain performed in his final Anfield appearance, and few people inside the stadium really cared. For the record, "low-key" was the best summation.

Jason Puncheon: A+

The former Southampton winger is rapidly becoming a real find for Pardew. Great control and swift movement make him a standout for Palace for next season.

Adam Lallana: A

The former Southampton man is finally finding his feet as part of a three-man forward line at Liverpool. It's a little late in the season, but it bodes well for next term.

Yannick Bolasie: A+

While Puncheon was the star of the first half, Bolasie bossed the second period. He set up Zaha's goal with a strong run and caused all sorts of issues for the home side.

Post-Match Reaction