Just back from the game and it's been a long, long day and I am tired and irritable. My mood is not improved by the knowledge that, had LFC done their job we would be clear at the top of the table.
So, as I saw it.
Backline
Becker, not at fault for the goal, one great save to keep the score down.
Bradley, targeted all game long and struggled with the more physical Palace forwards. Not helped with Salah failing to drop back, but the difference when TAA came on was night and day.
Konate, struggled all game, poor passing and out-muscled more than once.
VVD, the same except better passing
Robertson, Olise gave him a torrid time, but he was the only one of a few to emerge with any real credit from that debacle.
TAA, was great to see him back and he made a big difference, genuine rolls royce of a player.
Midfield
This was where the game was lost in the first half.
Endo, was very poor, besides the piss passing, the sideways slowing of the game and the lack of physicality, he kept dropping deep and running out of ideas. TAA, in his little cameos in the middle did more and better than Endo in his entire half.
MacAllister, it didn't help Endo that Mac took up bad positions flat to Endo and behind the opposition, effectively hiding all game. Again, another poor performance, particularly when he lost the ball.
Jones, bit of a mixed bag, gave it some guns in the first half, but was generally caught out of position as he ran around like a headless chicken, and made a lot of mistakes. Missing a 1 on 1 was criminal.
Szlob, really perked things up when he came on and made a difference, just not enough of one.
Elliott, tried and was tricky and helped, but not enough sadly. Still, must be considered unlucky not to start.
Forwards
Diaz, no end product, though lots of graft
Nunuez, a conundrum, missed a great chance, no balls stuck to him, but he was having balls hawked forward to him and surrounded by three players. He was poor, but too much attention is on him, Salah was far worse today.
Salah, was on a go slow, work to rule today. Utterly ineffective and uninvolved. Didn't track back, made no runs, was generally not involved at all. Deserved to be subbed, but wasn't.
Jota, hardly involved, no surprises since he was just back.
Gakpo, fight and determination, he did really well, started whipping in dangerous balls when the rest were fannying around with 2 and 3 yard passes. Deserved longer and should be starting ahead of Nunez and Salah at this point.
I think the most worrying part for me being at the game was the atmosphere. It was real bad, toxic at times. The crowd were nervous and tetchy. The players, well. Jones ran around like a mad thing and then screamed at the forwards for not closing with him. All very performative, but also idiotic as he was leaving gaps all over. VVD was throwing his hands up in frustration with the ref. Nunez threw a little strop after being subbed. Even the subs looked a little cheesed off with either not starting or not getting on (Gravenberch had disappointment etched all over his face). Endo had three players run at him and dispossess him and he just looked beaten and worn down as they disappeared over the horizon. In contrast only TAA, Szlob, Robertson and Gakpo looked full of determination and spirit. The rest just looked beat. That was pretty distressing. Konate didn't want the ball and was just hoofing it away from him. They looked miles off league leaders. They looked miles off Europa Cup winners. It will take a huge turnaround in attitude to get back what has been lost in the last few games.
