Liverpool vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League latest score and updates after Wilfried Zaha goal

(Getty Images)

Liverpool host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday night as they search for their first win of the new season following a disappointing draw to newly-promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage last Saturday.

It wasn’t the start Jurgen Klopp‘s man wanted or expected as they attempt to challenge for the top-flight title again this year. Aleksandar Mitrovic’s brace was enough to earn the Cottagers a point but the Reds came from behind twice to spare themselves some blushes. The saving grace was new signing Darwin Nunez who started brightly and got on the scoresheet in his first experience of Premier League football.

Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace meanwhile slumped to defeat against a confident Arsenal side who ran out 2-0 winners at Selhurst Park on the opening night of the season. The Eagles lost both meetings to Liverpool last season including a 3-0 defeat at Anfield. Can they improve under the lights this evening or will the Reds come out firing on all cylinders?

Follow all the action from Anfield as Liverpool take on Crystal Palace:

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

32’ GOAL! – Wilfried Zaha scores on the counter-attack to put Palace in front (LIV 0-1 CRY)

23’ – Liverpool pile on the pressure and Salah pulls a shot wide (LIV 0-0 CRY)

9’ – Nunez misses great chance to give Liverpool the lead (LIV 0-0 CRY)

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Van Dijk, Robertson, Elliott, Fabinho, Milner, Salah, Firmino, Diaz

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Doucoure, Schlupp, Ayew, Eze, Zaha

Liverpool FC 0 – 1 Crystal Palace FC

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

20:41 , Michael Jones

41 mins: Save! Abdoulaye Doucoure slides a fine through ball up to Wilfried Zaha who makes another quality run into the box off the shoulder of the centre-back.

He checks to the right and lets fly but Alisson is sharply off his line and charges down the effort.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

20:40 , Michael Jones

38 mins: Robertson shoves Ayew off the ball and wins the ball in what the referee declares is a fair challenge. He passes it up to Milner who whips over a cross trying to pick out Nunez in the box.

Story continues

The ball swings in towards goal but Guaita comes out and grabs it off the forwards nose.

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

20:37 , Michael Jones

35 mins: What can Liverpool conjure now? They’ve conceded first in their last six Premier League games but haven’t lost any of them.

They’re going to need to stage another comeback tonight.

GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace (32’, Zaha)⚽️

20:33 , Michael Jones

32 mins: Against the run of play! Crystal Palace take the lead.

Vicente Guaita boots a half-clearance up to Eberechi Eze who brings the ball under control and cuts into the middle of the pitch. He threads his pass in between Nat Phillips and Virgil van Dijk where Wilfried Zaha sprints through into the Liverpool final third.

He carries the ball into the left side of the box before opening up his body and coolly guiding the ball past Alisson into the far bottom corner.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:33 , Michael Jones

29 mins: Mo Salah has had a couple of chances already but hasn’t taken any. Liverpool are growing frustrated that they haven’t taken some of these chances.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:29 , Michael Jones

26 mins: Harvey Elliott has been an energetic force for Liverpool so far. Making runs, putting in tackles, recovering balls. He’s been a big part of the Reds’ consistent attacks.

Nathaniel Clyne is also worth mentioning and has marshalled Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson quite well so far.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:24 , Michael Jones

23 mins: Chance! Liverpool are getting closer. They’re sending balls into the box from all angles. Alexander-Arnold chips one over to Robertson who thinks about shooting but is under pressure from Nathaniel Clyne.

He cuts it back towards Darwin Nunez but Jordan Ayew sticks out a foot and manages to clear the danger.

Another attack quickly follows with a piercing pass from Alexander-Arnold to tee up Mo Salah this time. Salah takes the shot quickly but pulls it wide of the near post.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:20 , Michael Jones

20 mins: Crystal Palace knock the ball up to Wilfried Zaha who threads the ball through the middle and plays Eberechi Eze in behind the Liverpool lines.

Trent Alexander-Arnold chases him into the box but can’t stop the shot and is rescued by Alisson closing down quickly. The offside flag then goes up so the goal wouldn’t have counted anyway.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:18 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Chance! James Milner sends a diagonal ball over the top and picks out Andy Robertson’s darting run inside from the left wing.

Robertson brings the ball down, carries it into the box and shoots but sees his effort block. The ball bounces up and strikes a Crystal Palace hand. There’s a soft appeal for a handball but nothing comes from it.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:16 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Nat Phillips sends the ball long over the top of the Palace defence and Darwin Nunez makes a nice run to recover the ball. Luis Diaz is the only option in the box and Nunez tries to find him but his pass is too close to Vicente Guaita and the goalkeeper clings onto the ball.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:13 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Jeffrey Schlupp threads a decent ball up to Wilfried Zaha who is playing through the middle of Crystal Palace tonight. Zaha attempts to control the ball and shift it in behind Nat Phillips but Virgil van Dijk is covering and tackles the forward to recover possession for Liverpool.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:11 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Chance! Huge opportunity for Liverpool to take the lead here.

Virgil van Dijk switches the play over to the right wing where Trent Alexander-Arnold sprints forward and brings the ball under control. He sends in inside to Mo Salah who nudges the ball to Harvey Elliott.

Elliott shifts away from a defender before shooting but Joachim Andersen gets in the way and deflects the ball bacl to Alexander-Arnold. The right-back flicks one over to the back post where Darwin Nunez has dropped off his marker and volleys his effort over the crossbar!

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:08 , Michael Jones

8 mins: Alexander-Arnold looks to send Salah free down the right wing but Tyrick Mitchell sticks with him and uses his strength to hold the Liverpool forward at bay.

Nice defending. Palace are having to work hard in these opening minutes.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:06 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Nearly! Guaita is back on his feet and confidently comes off his line to pluck the ball out of the air after Mo Salah’s cross curls in towards Harvey Elliott.

Salah gets into another strong position on the right side and lays the ball off to Elliott inside the box. The 19-year-old has a dart at goal but his effort gets blocked and cleared.

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:04 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Guaita has stayed down after those opening exchanges and needs a bit of wrapping on his right leg just above the shin pad. There’s a break in play but Liverpool will be encouraged by how quickly they’ve started.

Kick off: Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

20:03 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace get the game going and boot the ball over to the left side where Nat Phillips leaps towards the ball and heads it away from the Liverpool penalty area.

The Reds recover the ball and work their way into midfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold pushes forward on the right and he swings in a cross towards Darwin Nunez.

Close! Vicente Guaita comes out to punch the ball clear and sends it straight to James Milner. He brings the ball under control and blasts one at goal but hoofs it over the crossbar!

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

19:56 , Michael Jones

Here come the players.

James Milner leads out Liverpool in the absence of Jordan Henderson and Joel Ward takes charge of Crystal Palace. Anfield is always a tough place to play and Palace will be under pressure from the get go tonight.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

19:54 , Michael Jones

It’ll be interesting to see how Liverpool go tonight. Their bench doesn’t look all that strong and if Crystal Palace get off to a good start the players may start to get worried.

The match is at Anfield though and the Reds supporters will lift them throughout the game.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

19:50 , Michael Jones

Since losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace in April 2017, Liverpool have won 10 consecutive Premier League matches against the Eagles. Palace have lost their last five Premier League games in a row at Anfield.

Liverpool haven’t lost their first home league match in any of the last 18 seasons (14 wins, four draws), winning their last nine in a row.

Will Salah match Gerrard?

19:45 , Michael Jones

Mo Salah has scored 119 Premier League goals for Liverpool. Only Steven Gerrard (120) and Robbie Fowler (128) have scored more.

Salah has been involved in 11 goals in 10 Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace (seven goals, four assists).

(AFP via Getty Images)

Patrick Vieira lays down goalscoring challenge to Crystal Palace

19:40 , Michael Jones

Patrick Vieira has challenged Crystal Palace to break their Premier League goal-scoring record during the competition’s 30th-anniversary season.

The Eagles came close last campaign, matching their second-best haul of 50 set in the 2016/17 season, just one shy of their best Premier League tally, 51 in 2018/19.

Wilfried Zaha netted 14 of those 2021/22 goals, while Conor Gallagher, now back with Chelsea after his south London loan spell, contributed eight.

Patrick Vieira lays down goalscoring challenge to Crystal Palace

Tonight’s venue

19:35 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool tonight. Which way will this one go?

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

19:30 , Michael Jones

This is Liverpool’s first Monday night game since a 1-1 draw at Leeds United in April 2021, with their last at Anfield coming in September 2020 when they defeated Arsenal 3-1.

They have never lost a match played on August 15th, having won five and drawn two of the seven games played on this date.

Palace enjoy Mondays

19:25 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace were unbeaten in all five Monday Premier League fixtures last season.

They won one and drew four. How will they go this season?

Zaha’s away form

19:21 , Michael Jones

Wilfried Zaha scored in all four of Crystal Palace’s Premier League away victories last season at Manchester City, Watford, Wolves and Southampton.

Can he replicate that form this year too?

(PA)

The next step Luis Diaz must take at Liverpool is clear

19:17 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp’s 2022 signing from Portugal scored in the Community Shield. He struck again at Fulham last week. Darwin Nunez has made an explosive impact. So, seven months earlier, did Luis Diaz.

But if two transformative cameos have suggested that Klopp’s golden run of attacking signings has continued with the £64m striker, there is a difference between the two South Americans. It lies in the scoring stakes.

If Nunez has followed in a tradition of potent players who were quick to make their mark, with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota scoring early goals that set the tone for their Anfield careers, other comparisons came with the January buy.

Diaz arrived from Porto, Nunez from Benfica and both showed the pace and directness that made them look immediately at home in a Klopp side.

The next step Luis Diaz must take at Liverpool is clear

Injury crisis?

19:12 , Michael Jones

Liverpool’s midfield options look seriously thin after Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all missing through injury.

Nat Phillips starts at centre-back tonight after Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate are both absent.

“We have injuries, that’s how it is. It is a question of how long will the players be out,” said Klopp. “Thiago is good but the injury is not good. I read four to six weeks. I would prefer four.”

Experienced Reds

19:07 , Michael Jones

Liverpool had six players aged 30+ in their starting XI last week, the first time they had done so in a Premier League match since February 1994.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace team changes

19:03 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp makes four changes to the Liverpool team that drew with Fulham last weekend. Nat Phillips comes in to replace Joel Matip at centre-back with James Milner and Harvey Elliott brought into the midfield in place of Jordan Henderson and the injured Thiago Alcantara.

Darwin Nunez starts in place of Roberto Firmino too.

Patrick Vieira make just one change. Joel Ward comes in to replace Odsonne Edouard.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace line-ups

19:01 , Michael Jones

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Van Dijk, Robertson, Elliott, Fabinho, Milner, Salah, Firmino, Diaz

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Doucoure, Schlupp, Ayew, Eze, Zaha

A worrying sign for Liverpool?

18:55 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have conceded first in each of their last five league fixtures but have not lost any of them. They’ve won three and drawn two.

Is the fact they keep conceding a worrying sign or should the recovery to win points from losing positions be seen as a bigger positive?

Liverpool’s startling form

18:50 , Michael Jones

Liverpool are unbeaten in all 20 Premier League matches in 2022 with 16 wins and four draws. They have also won their opening Premier League home game in each of the last nine seasons.

(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp backs Luis Diaz to bring goals to Liverpool

18:45 , Michael Jones

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Luis Diaz can score 10 to 15 goals a season as he steps into the role vacated by the departure of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich.

The Colombian scored six in 26 appearances after joining from Benfica in January as the transition of the Reds’ forward line began but now he is expected to start every week there is a greater responsibility on the 25-year-old to deliver.

Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside and hit the woodwork in the 2-2 draw with Fulham in their Premier League opener and he will be expected to supplement the goals from Mohamed Salah and new signing Darwin Nunez, who has scored twice in his first two appearances.

Jurgen Klopp backs Luis Diaz to bring goals to Liverpool

Can Palace keep Liverpool at bay?

18:40 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace lost against Arsenal in their opening match of the season but they haven’t lost their first two games in a Premier League campaign since 2017-18.

Can they keep Liverpool quiet tonight?

Landmarks for Firmino

18:35 , Michael Jones

Liverpool’s No.9, Roberto Firmino, would become the 15th player in the club’s history to score on all seven days of the week if he nets against Crystal Palace tonight.

Firmino can also bring up 200 Premier League starts for the Reds if he’s selected in the XI by Jürgen Klopp.

(Getty Images)

Kouyate joins Nottingham Forest

18:30 , Michael Jones

Cheikhou Kouyate left Crystal Palace earlier this summer after failing to agree a new contract with the club.

The 32-year-old has recently signed for Nottingham Forest on a free transfer and the Eagles have sent well wishes to their former midfielder.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

18:25 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace’s 10 consecutive Premier League defeats in this fixture is their longest top-flight losing run against another team.

But, Jurgen Klopp’s first competitive loss as Liverpool manager came against Crystal Palace when the Eagles inflicted a 2-1 defeat at Anfield in November 2015.

Who will triumph tonight?

Graeme Souness defends ‘man’s game’ comment after Chelsea vs Tottenham

18:20 , Michael Jones

Graeme Souness has defended describing football as a “man’s game” following Chelsea’s feisty draw with Tottenham on Sunday.

The Sky Sports pundit discussed the ill-tempered affair, with the two managers Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte twice clashing on the touchline.

Souness praised referee Anthony Taylor for letting plenty to go and allowing the game to flow.

Graeme Souness defends ‘man’s game’ comment after Chelsea vs Tottenham

‘Palace need to score more’ says Vieira

18:15 , Michael Jones

Following Crystal Palace’s season opening defeat to Arsenal, Patrick Vieira’s focus was about his team being more clinical in front of goal.

“The difference between the two teams today is that they scored those goals, and we created two really good chances to score,” he said after the match.

“We were in a really good period in the second-half and we didn’t take our chances.

“In games like that there is a key moment, and in those key moments we didn’t score that goal to lift the crowd and to build even more that momentum. This is something that we have to work on.”

(REUTERS)

Tsimikas could return for Liverpool

18:10 , Michael Jones

Kostas Tsimikas could also be back for Liverpool tonight after a knock kept him out of the trip to Craven Cottage last weekend.

Jurgen Klopp spoke about his squad on Friday and said: “A couple of boys are coming back: Naby [Keita] will be back for Monday and Kostas will train today for the first time so he might be back as well.

“That’s the situation.”

Henderson on returning to Anfield

18:05 , Michael Jones

Jordan Henderson cannot wait to get back to playing at Anfield and is excited to get Liverpool’s first home match of the season underway.

Writing in the programme notes for the clash with Crystal Palace the Liverpool captain wrote: “The first home game of a new season is always one of the fixtures that anyone who is lucky enough to be involved in football just can’t wait for. It was the same when I was a kid, going to matches with my dad, and it applies even more now that I have the privilege of playing for Liverpool,”

He added: “It might happen every year, but you could never get bored of this feeling.

“There is always a different atmosphere in and around the ground. You can feel the excitement and there is a real sense of occasion. I have been here long enough to know exactly what Anfield will be like and the fact that we kick off with a night game only adds to the anticipation.

“These are the days we all live for as players, staff and supporters so hopefully between us we can make the most of it by getting off to the best possible start.

Early team news for Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

18:00 , Michael Jones

Thiago Alcantara injured his hamstring against Fulham last week and is likely to be out for a month so won’t feature for Liverpool tonight. Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain sidelined but Naby Keita has recovered from illness and may feature.

Crystal Palace are still be missing James McArthur and James Tomkins but Michael Olise has been training with the team and could be in the squad.

However, he may not be fit enough to play a part in tonight’s clash.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

17:25 , Michael Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Premier League as Liverpool host Crystal Palace at Anfield.

The Reds came up against a resolute Fulham side in their opening game of the season but twice managed to come from behind and rescue a point. Goals from new signing Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah ensured Jurgen Klopp’s men left Craven Cottage with a draw but the manager wasn’t happy at the sluggish performances from his players and will want to set that right at Anfield tonight.

Crystal Palace meanwhile faced a reinvigorated Arsenal after the Gunners lost out on the Champions League last year. Mikel Arteta’s summer signings – Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus – helped them to a 2-0 victory in what was a brilliant outing for the north London side.

Patrick Vieira won’t be too disheartened though, his side put up a decent fight and created some decent chances of their own. Arsenal and Liverpool are two of the toughest matches to start a season with and even if the results don’t go Palace’s way Vieira will be focused on the fight and technical skills his side display.

Which way will this match go tonight? Will Liverpool get back to winning ways or will the Eagles shock the Reds and leave Anfield with three points of their own?