Liverpool march on despite Alisson injury as Arne Slot's rotation pays off - 5 talking points
CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 LIVERPOOL: Diogo Jota's first-half goal gave Liverpool all three points away to Crystal Palace but the Reds lost goalkeeper Alisson to injury
by Tom Victor · The MirrorLiverpool continued their strong start to the season on Saturday, beating Crystal Palace through Diogo Jota's early goal to ensure they go into the international break as Premier League leaders.
Eddie Nketiah had the ball in the net inside 30 seconds, only for the offside flag to go up to deny the Palace striker. Liverpool's sluggish start didn't last too long, though, with Jota finishing off a rapid attack to give the Reds a ninth minute lead.
Jota will feel he should have had a second shortly after the half-hour mark, showing good movement to find space to meet a Ryan Gravenberch cross but fluffing his lines in front of goal. It was still 1-0 at the break, though, thanks to a big Alisson save from Ismaila Sarr.
Palace had more chances after the break, while they saw a penalty appeal waved away. Liverpool held out, though, but will be concerned an injury to Alisson which forced young goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros into action for the closing stages.
Liverpool were forced into a change at half-time as well after failing to extend their lead, with Dominik Szoboszlai taking the place of Alexis Mac Allister. Palace made some tweaks of their own, too, with Jean Philippe-Mateta entering for the final half hour after starting on the bench.
The chances kept coming for Liverpool and for Jota in the second half, as he headed just wide from a Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick. Palace found a second wind, though, perhaps sensing an opportunity after Liverpool's inability to put the game out of sight.
Oliver Glasner's team found themselves screaming for a penalty after Virgil van Dijk held onto Marc Guehi's hand inside the box, but the officials said no and Liverpool held on. Here are Mirror Football's talking points from Selhurst Park.
Was the result at Selhurst Park a fair one? Have your say in the comments section
1. Refreshed front-line pays dividends
Cody Gakpo has had to be patient this season, sometimes feeling like a bit of an odd man out in Liverpool's attack. He had only started two games before Saturday, against AC Milan in Europe and West Ham in the Carabao Cup, but those outings brought him two goals and an assist.
The Dutchman finally got the chance to start in the league after a run of substitute appearances, and demonstrated himself to be a team player. He showed good vision and instincts to feed Diogo Jota for the opening goal, demonstrating an understanding with the Portugal star - recalled himself after being named on the bench against Bologna.
One of Jurgen Klopp's biggest strengths at Liverpool was getting performances from his players even when they might have felt they deserved more minutes. On the basis of Gakpo and Jota combining in South London, Slot is showing an ability to do the same.
2. Gravenberch hasn't forgotten attacking instincts
"Before I started working with him I thought if he wants to play in the eight position he needs to be more involved in goals," Arne Slot said of Ryan Gravenberch. The solution has been to use the Dutchman in a deeper role, where he has excelled after surprising Slot, but an energetic burst almost gave Liverpool a second goal before the break only for Jota to get his finish all wrong.
He might need to keep that attacking drive on the back burner for now, though. Alexis Mac Allister's early withdrawal prompted injury concerns - and we'll find out more about that later - but if the Argentinian missed more football then the onus will be on Gravenberch to stay deep. That's a tough run of games, too. Chelsea are up next, followed by a trip to Leipzig in Europe, while a meeting with Bayer Leverkusen isn't too far away.
3. Penalty debate puts holding rules in focus
Palace's penalty appeal was quickly waved away, with VAR deeming it not worthy of another look. However, it prompted a closer look at rules around holding in the box after another incident in West Ham's recent defeat against Chelsea.
On that occasion, Crysencio Summerville's burst into the box was halted by a hand from Wesley Fofana. This time Marc Guehi was the party claiming to be wronged, with Virgil van Dijk the perceived offender. The holding on Guehi was considered to have no impact on play. However, fans will have their own feelings about whether that's the case.
4. Jaros' unexpected debut
With Caoimhin Kelleher not part of the matchday squad due to illness, Liverpool youngster Vitezslav Jaros was forced into action after first-choice keeper Alisson went down injured. It was a Premier League debut for the 23-year-old Czech international, who spent last season on loan at Sturm Graz.
Alisson had next to nothing to do for much of the first half, but he came up big when celled upon. The Brazilian needed a solid right hand not just to deny Ismaila Sarr but to ensure the ball didn't land at the feet of another Palace player. Liverpool have a tricky run of games up ahead where Alisson can expect to be busier. However, he showed it's just as valuable to be alert on those occasions where tests are fewer and further between.
Palace looked to test Jaros early on, hoping to pick up on nerves from the youngster. He stepped up when needed, coming off his line and denying Ebere Eze, and he made another late break from his line to snuff out danger when Mateta looked to pounce.
5. Palace injury woes continue
Oliver Glasner was already without defenders Chadi Riad and Chris Richards before kick-off, though he was able to hand a first Palace start to Trevoh Chalobah. Glasner's three-at-the-back system had forced Jefferson Lerma to fill in at the back in earlier games, with Nathaniel Clyne also a makeshift option at times since the Austrian took over.
Clyne was back in his more familiar position on the right against Liverpool, thanks to an early injury for Daniel Munoz. Colombian international Munoz has been key to Palace's ability to threaten from out wide, with Clyne less of an attacking threat. Cheick Doucoure and Matheus Franca were also missing for the Eagles, who have struggled so far this term. Yet another injury was the last thing they will have wanted.
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