MATCH FACTS
- Date – 23rd April 2017
- Venue – Anfield
- Attendance – 53,086
- Referee – Andre Marriner
- Bookings – Benteke, Grujic, Milivojevic
- Goals – Coutinho (24), Benteke (42)
- Star Eagle – Christian Benteke (8.6)
TEB VERDICT
Even going a goal down did not deter this team in what was an almost perfect away performance. Solid throughout and good on the break along with an in form front man with a point to prove was the perfect recipe to upset the hosts hopes of securing a Champions League place. In fact, the win all but secures a fifth successive season in the Premier League for the Eagles which would be a significant achievement for the club.
PLAYER RATINGS (courtesy of Who Scored)
13 Wayne Hennessey (5.9) – Was not particularly tested other than for the basics during the game but had no chance with the goal.
2 Joel Ward (6.8) – Started the move that led to the equaliser in what was a very good showing from the full back.
5 James Tomkins (6.9) – The injury prone defender seems to be made of glass and while he made a terrific return from injury, he left Anfield on crutches after being on the receiving end of an awful challenge late in the game.
34 Martin Kelly (6.8) – Another former Liverpool player in the Palace ranks that would have enjoyed this result immensely. Stood firm at the centre of the defence but fortunate not to concede a penalty.
31 Jeffrey Schlupp (7.6) – Shaky start for the former Leicester player but worked his way into the game well with strong tackles and ventures forward.
28 Luka Milivojevic (7.0) – The Serbs stock continues to rise with every game along with his value to this team. Has become an integral part of the Palace line up by providing that extra bite for the midfield and protection for the back line.
7 Yohan Cabaye (7.2) – The Frenchman is clearly enjoying the freedom he has been given in this side. Superb assist for the equaliser. Replaced by 27 Damien Delaney (6.5) on 83 minutes for some fresh defensive minded legs to see out the remaining minutes.
42 Jason Puncheon (7.4) – Worked hard to retain and win back possession in the midfield. Supported the front three at every opportunity while not forgetting his defensive duties.
11 Wilfried Zaha (6.6) – Not quite his day but had a compelling battle against former Palace academy product Nathaniel Clybe. Replaced by 3 Patrick van Aanholt (6.0) on 78 minutes who slotted in on the left side of midfield and provide a more defensive option.
10 Andros Townsend (7.5) – The rejuvination under Allardyce continues as his hard work at both ends of the pitch have become invaluable to this team.
17 Christian Benteke (8.6) – A perfect return to his former stomping ground by scoring a brace in what was a superb all round perfrmance from the big Belgian. Replaced by 9 Frazier Campbell (6.2) on 88 minutes who made himself a nuisance for the remaining minutes.
Unused substitutes – 1 Julian Speroni, 18 James McArthur, 4 Mathieu Flamini, 26 Bakary Sako
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
‘I can breathe a little easier. Thirty-eight points has been very good in the last ten years. We have five games to go so this one is so important. We have Tottenham on Wednesday and Burnley after that. It lifts the pressure on us. I am worried these lads can’t reach this level when they don’t have time to recover. I may have to make changes to make sure we compete with Spurs.” – SAM ALLARDYCE talking to Sky Sports.
‘I had to say a few words to the boys. I know what everyone is saying, that we have to win it, do this and that. Palace are a good side but we dominated the game, that was clear. We had very good moments. It is not easy to create chance and chance and chance.’ – JURGEN KLOPP talking to Sky Sports.
MATCH STATISTICS
The Who Scored man of the match was Christian Benteke (8.6) while Philippe Coutinho (7) had the most shots. Georginio Wijnaldum and Jeffrey Schlupp (5) made the most tackles. Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Jeffrey Schlupp (4) had the most dribbles.
- Team rating: 6.49 – 6.91
- Total shots: 14 – 7
- Shots on target: 1 – 3
- Possession: 72.3% – 27.7%
- Pass success: 83% – 60%
- Dribbles: 15 – 14
- Aerials won: 14 – 22
- Tackles: 22 – 26
- Corners: 4 – 3
- Dispossessed: 19 – 15
POSITION IN THE TABLE
Palace move up to 12th place in the Premier League table, one point behind Stoke City in 11th and level on points with Bournemouth and West Ham United in 13th and 14th. Crucially, the Eagles are seven points ahead of the relegation zone.
REMAINING FIXTURES
- 26/04/2017 Tottenham Hotspur (h)
- 29/04/2017 Burnley (h)
- 06/05/2017 Manchester City (a)
- 14/05/2017 Hull Vity (h)
- 21/05/2017 Manchester United (a)
