Report and free match highlights as Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Jean-Philippe Mateta all hit the crossbar in a Premier League stalemate; Crystal Palace did not register a shot on target; Liverpool up to seventh with point, six away from the top four
Liverpool’s domestic form stumbled again with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, despite twice hitting the crossbar.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were hoping to recover some confidence after a 5-2 drubbing by Real Madrid on Tuesday evening, but looked “fragile” – as Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp described – as they returned to Premier League action.
They passed up a number of chances, with Diogo Jota nodding onto the crossbar from close range in the first half before Mohamed Salah lashed against the woodwork shortly after the break.
But Crystal Palace hardly sat back and impressed in large spells – although did not register a shot on target despite some questionable moments from Liverpool’s defence.
They also found the bar as Jean-Philippe Mateta rifled an effort onto the post, having earlier been gifted the chance to see his side ahead after a sloppy Trent Alexander-Arnold pass. Marc Guehi and the superb Michael Olise also went close.
Ultimately, both teams lacked a cutting edge. Liverpool move up a place into seventh, six points adrift of the top four. Palace also drew their third successive Premier League game and remain in 12th.
The game turned out to be series of almosts and maybes, marked from the early minutes. Crystal Palace were gifted a chance as Alexander-Arnold’s sloppy pass to Jordan Henderson was intercepted by Mateta, but his chipped effort was palmed wide by Alisson.
The returning Jota then twice went close for Liverpool, first with a volley straight at Vicente Guaita, before his header from a tight angle ricocheted off the crossbar from close range.
Crystal Palace again took advantage of some questionable Liverpool defending for another glorious chance before the half an hour, when Olise delivered a superb corner, but Guehi sent a free header inches wide of the target.