Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Crystal Palace played the part of party spoilers in Steven Gerrard's last match at Anfield on the penultimate day of the Premier League season, as they beat Liverpool 3-1.
After a few half-chances at either end, Liverpool made the breakthrough when Adam Lallana intercepted a loose pass, drove toward goal and finished coolly into the top corner.
The Reds had further chances to score, but Jason Puncheon equalised just before half-time with a terrific free-kick. After the break, it was all about Palace, as Wilfried Zaha netted seconds after coming on before Glenn Murray missed a last-minute penalty and tucked home the rebound.
Here are all of our winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Alan Pardew
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Crystal Palace appointed Alan Pardew at the beginning of 2015, and it's fair to say the decision has paid off handsomely for both parties.
The three points at Anfield means that Palace still have a shot at a top-half finish despite being in the bottom three for one part of this season. Pardew has harnessed the pace and power of his team's attacking players and has made the side as a whole an awful lot more organised and hard to beat—and, most importantly, effective at picking up points.
Palace deserved the win, and Pardew even took a wry smile as his substitute, Wilfried Zaha, scored with his first touch.
Loser: Dejan Lovren
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With Mamadou Sakho injured again, Dejan Lovren had earned—not really the right word—another run in the Liverpool defence. But his performance against Palace was up there with the worst of his early-season displays.
Palace's pace and power at Selhurst Park earlier in the season overran him, and he suffered the same fate here at Anfield, with Yannick Bolasie a particularly impossible opponent for him to handle.
The consistent sight of Lovren losing headers, being caught out of position down the channel and lumbering to turn around then attempt to keep pace with his opponents was a horrifying, constant reminder to the home fans of the money spent on him 10 months ago.
Winner: Jason Puncheon
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The best player on the field in the first half, Jason Puncheon, was a constant danger for Crystal Palace as he raided alternately through the centre and in off the right flank. His dribbling caused no end of problems for Liverpool's back three, and he got a couple of shots or through passes in even before his equalising goal.
Puncheon's free-kick was expertly placed—opposite to the usual side he could have aimed for—and his importance in Palace's attack continued show.
After the break, as Liverpool changed formation and left more space in front of the defence, both he and Yannick Bolasie absolutely tore the home defenders to shreds with their direct running and willingness to shoot.
Loser: Brendan Rodgers
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The Liverpool manager might feel that he is the man to lead the club to bigger and better things next season, but he is rapidly losing the faith of those watching from outside after another shambolic defensive display at Anfield.
Palace have easily beaten his side twice this season by the same scoreline—both times after Liverpool took the lead in the match—yet pace has killed the Reds, and they no answer to Palace's direct attacking methods and couldn't find a way back into either game. As an aside, they also conceded a direct free-kick in each of those league fixtures.
Rodgers changed formations three times during the match again, still not seeming to know his best XI or set-up despite being three years into his project. Rodgers has to improve his performance, fast.
Winner: Steven Gerrard
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Basically, all Steven Gerrard had to do to get through the match as a winner was turn up, take the acclaim and not score an own goal or get sent off on his Anfield farewell.
His first half was fairly standard—some neat on-the-ball moments, a few driving runs into the box that were almost rewarded with a chance to shoot and the odd challenge in midfield. Palace also bypassed him in the centre a couple of times while countering.
The second half saw him move further upfield to instigate attacks and try to get on the scoresheet. He didn't manage that, but he was certainly one of the standout players in a tame overall performance from Liverpool.
The fans sung Gerrard's name throughout the latter stages of the game, and the scene was his to say goodbye and receive the thanks of the fans regardless of the result.
