PLAYER RATINGS: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-0 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at Selhurst Park tonight. Both sides hit the woodwork, with Mateta, Salah and Jota all doing so. Neither side could find the elusive winner though, and in the end they settle for a share of the spoils. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 6

Didn’t have much to do. Was quick off his line to sweep up. Stayed strong to collect and punch away a few crosses.

Alexander-Arnold – 4

Woeful. Gave Palace two gilt edged opportunities first half with some shocking passing and defending. Either move him into midfield or drop him. Enough is enough.

Matip – 4

All over the place. Gave the ball away over and over again and inspired no confidence whatsoever. Got on the end of a good opportunity when a corner fell to him in the Palace box but could only steer a weak left footed effort wide.

Van Dijk – 5.5

Won his challenges. Contributed to the slow buildup by taking too long on the ball when he got it. Looked to have been muscled off the ball late on but the referee’s whistle came to his aid.

Robertson – 5

I counted almost ten crosses by the Scotsman, none of them found a teammate. Got into good positions but his delivery was awful. Was lucky Mateta was in an offside position after he allowed Clyne nick Alisson’s pass off him first half.

Henderson – 4

His first instinct everytime he got it was to turn backwards and lay it off to the centre halves. That slowed everything down. Not exactly what is required when trying to break a team down. He should have fouled Olise way earlier in his run than he eventually did for his booking. Lucky not to give away a penalty. Blocked Trent’s goal bound free kick.

Milner – 5.5

Needs about four touches to bring a bouncing ball under control. Again everything was sideways and backwards. Filled in at right back late on. Not sure he’s the one to provide inspiration on a day like this. Did what could be expected of him.

Keita – 3

Looked uninterested to be honest. Lost so many duels and kept fouling his man. Was possibly lucky to stay on the pitch, with his persistent fouling not abating despite his booking. Shocking display. Hooked at the break.

Salah – 5

Pitiful shot wide when played in by Gakpo early on. Curled another straight at Guaita on the counter. Hit the crossbar with a snapshot from the edge of the box. Slipped Gakpo through for his big chance at the end. Was in and out of the game. That’s never a good sign as he’s the side’s source or goals.

Gakpo – 4

Turned well early on and presented Salah with an opportunity in the box. Was quiet after that. Turned into trouble one too many times. Should have won the game at the end when put clean through on goal. Couldn’t even hit the target. He had Elliott available for the pass too had he chosen that option. That’s just not good enough. Cost the side two points with that miss.

Jota – 5

Looked rusty again. Registered a shot on target with a half volley on the edge of the box. Headed Matip’s hooked cross against the post from a tight angle. The ball kept bouncing off him all night. Got 70 minutes under his belt.

Substitutes

Elliott – 4

Came on and with his first involvement lifted a pass over the defence which Jota almost latched onto. Went on to give the ball away almost every time he touched it after that. Played the side into trouble with some horrendous backpasses. Curious cameo.

Fabinho – 4

Could have been sent off in his brief time on the pitch. A waste of a sub.

Firmino – 4.5

Caught on the ball at times. Could have popped it off quicker. Couldn’t impact the game.

Bajcetic – 4.5

Sloppy in possession and they countered from it. Tracked Olise well late on and put in the challenge to knock the ball out of play.

Jürgen Klopp

In need of a goal and the manager chose not to bring Fabio Carvalho on. Not even for the final few minutes. He brought on two defensive midfielders instead. His in game management has been bizarre at times this season, not to mention his use, or lack thereof of the young attacker. Clean sheet at least.