Crystal Palace hadn't won since the end of September.
Four defeats and a draw had left them in the Premier League dropzone. But Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool can always be relied upon in a crisis. With continued usage of failing formations, tactics and personnel - Palace left Selhurst Park with a morale-boosting 3 goals and 3 points as Liverpool's season lurched into crisis.
Liverpool have now lost four games on the run. We have won once in 7 matches.
Mario Balotelli was ruled out of this game after suffering a knock while on international duty - Daniel Sturridge's long awaited return is also on hold as he continues to suffer a career blighted by injury. Glen Johnson started at left back, with Manquillo on the right. Dejan Lovren was picked again and Gerrard continued in his role of sitting in front of the back four and 'protecting' the defence.
Steven Gerrard made no tackles in 90 minutes.
Nonetheless, Liverpool took an early lead. Within 90 seconds Rickie Lambert was celebrating his first Liverpool goal - taking control of a great ball by Adam Lallana and sending the reds on their way.
Within 15 minutes Palace had drawn level.
Time and space was given to the Eagles and a shot was drilled in from outside the box. Mignolet was beaten and it rebounded off the post - Dwight Gayle reacted quicker than Liverpool's sloppy defence and smashed the ball at our Belgian keeper - the ball bouncing into the net.
As the rain poured, Liverpool went through the motions. Raheem Sterling continuing to disappoint - heading down the potential path of being a 'one season wonder'.
Gerrard was anonymous. Lallana and Allen were actually amongst the better of Liverpool's players - certainly in terms of ball distribution. So as the second half wore on, obviously, Brendan Rodgers took them off. Minutes after taking off these two players Liverpool's implosion began.
Palace took the lead when they carved open Liverpool's comical defence - Gerrard part of the problem rather than the solution. The third goal came shortly after - a fantastic free kick that even the hapless Liverpool goalkeeper wouldn't have been expected to catch.
So the reds trudged off to count the cost of their £120M summer spending spree. A spending spree that nobody at the club wants to take any responsibility for.
Liverpool travel to Ludogorets in a midweek must-win game - no doubt Rodgers has already written Johnson, Lovren, Gerrard and Mignolet's name on the team-sheet. Just leave one striker up front as well Brendan. Why change a losing philosophy?
MOTM: Adam Lallana
some liverpool fans are just ungrateful for ballet services… he could have snubbed us for arsenal… really… we liverppol fans should start appreciating him and make the team play around him… this will boost his confidence rather than throwing him out there and getting booed by us…and sterling needs competition…he can’t be in our first team… he is a one season wonder
I accept your point – but look at Spurs after Bale – it happens!
Money Money Money – there will always be better ways of spending it!!!
Well… a good striker is needed….. Gerrard in a more forward position would definetly be better for him and the club….
Why won’t Rodgers drop underperforming players? Lovern useless for weeks, Johnson dont get me started, Gerrard legs are gone, Sterling is not producing anything, Coutinho doesn’t have anyone to pass the ball too, plays immobile strikers up front on their own. It just doesn’t make any sense..
Totally agree – such a stubborn get. Gerrard’s getting picked because Brendan’s renting his house off him – him playing in that position is totally pointless.
Rodgers has bought about 2 or 3 decent players out of the 20+ he has spent about £200M on. Shameful.
C’mon – the pool still have great players who are not at the top of their game!
I will always love the Kop and the Shanks – but I thought you were a big enough club to give lil ol Palace a bit of credit? – Unlike your disloyal Jamie C!
Not disloyal but telling the truth , 120million on sub standard players just not good enough,season ticket holder for 50 years.