PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE

Liverpool were held to yet another draw as Crystal Palace battled their way to a point at Anfield. Zaha gave the Eagles the lead before Darwin Nunez was sent off on his home debut. A stunning Diaz strike salvaged a point for the Reds. Here are player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 6

Made a huge save when one on one with Zaha. Not much he could do about the first.

Alexander-Arnold – 7

Created so many openings with his passing first half. Shame none were utilised. Kept at it and showed desire when down to ten men. Played centre forward for a bit.

Phillips – 7

Played really well. Won almost every duel with Zaha. Passed the ball well too and looked assured. His one mistake led to the goal unfortunately. He stepped up late and played Zaha onside. He repeated that error but Alisson came to his rescue.

Van Dijk – 7

Could possibly have closed down Zaha quicker for the goal. Played some good passes forward. Held things together at the back late on.

Robertson – 5.5

Not at his best. Got into great positions but the deliveries were poor. Battled well against Ayew.

Fabinho – 6

Poor first 60 or so. Had so much time and space on the ball but his passing was safe and uninspired. Then when they broke, they bypassed him too easily. Eze just breezed past him to set Zaha up for the goal. Improved in the last half hour. Was more forceful in the challenge and played with more urgency.

Elliott – 7

Started so well when we were all over them. Went close to scoring when he sold two dummies before seeing his shot charged down. Was our brightest player first half. Faded second half.

Milner – 6

Started well. Won the ball back in the box and should have scored after just two minutes but blazed his effort into the stands. Looked good first half hour but then his influence waned. He was trying to force it by going long to Darwin but overhitting it every time.

Salah – 6.5

On the periphery tonight. Had chances to cross for Darwin first half but didn’t quite get the accuracy. Had two good opportunities to score first half but spurned both. Hooked a volley wide late on.

Darwin – 5

Got himself sent off like a petulant child. Cost the team with that moment of madness. Before that, he was putting himself about and looking to cause problems. Saw an effort blocked by Ward and hit the post on the stroke of halftime.

Diaz – 7

Another who was below par first 60. Was playing too far from goal and not influencing the game much. He was making the wrong decision on the ball almost every time. He pulled a stunning goal from nowhere to draw the side level, dribbling infield from the left wing before fizzing a shot past Guiata. Was a man possessed after that and looked our likeliest to score a winner.

Substitutes

Gomez – 7

Dealt with the threat of Zaha when he came on. The Ivorian didn’t get another sniff of goal. Passed it through the lines well.

Tsimikas – 4

Poor. Shocking crosses. Robbo might as well have stayed on.

Henderson – 6.5

Tried to inject a bit of tempo. Did well in midfield to win back possession. Tried to get the team on the front foot. Needs to cut out that aimless hooked cross to nobody though.

Carvalho – N/A

Volleyed one just wide on his left foot. Gave away a cheap free kick on Olise which helped them waste time. A bit lightweight.

Jürgen Klopp

Dropped his skipper in favour of young Harvey, and opted for the experience of Milner over Naby Keita. Chose not to risk Gomez who was carrying a knock, handing Nat Phillips a first league start since the end of the 2020/21 season.

His side started on the front foot and should have made their dominance count. 17 attempts in the first half but no goals to show for it. The team reacted well to going down to ten. The gaffer’s changes sought to turn the screw but it wasn’t to be. Horrendous start to the season.