Liverpool’s title bid derailed by Eze’s winner

• Published date: 15 April 2024
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

Soundly beaten in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals by Atalanta on Thursday, Liverpool succumbed again on home soil as Eberechi Eze’s early goal gave Palace a deserved victory and huge lift in their bid to pull clear of relegation trouble

Anfield paid a moving tribute before kick-off to the 97 Liverpool supporters who were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough. After a stirring rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the disaster there was a minute’s silence in memory of the victims and a ‘97? mosaic appeared on the Kop.

Klopp had promised a reaction to the shock Europa League defeat by Atalanta. Instead, Liverpool served up more of the same throughout a poor first-half display. The malaise even afflicted Alisson, and he was making his first start since injuring a hamstring against Arsenal in February. Palace prospered from the lapses and were full value for an interval lead that could and should have been greater.

The visitors, their performance elevated by the supremely gifted duo of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, cut through Liverpool at will and had particular joy down their left against Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konaté. Klopp’s team failed to heed the warning signs and were carved open by a flowing Palace passing move involving Adam Wharton, Olise and Tyrick...