LONDON: The Reds were not at their free-flowing best in London despite enjoying most of the possession. They went behind in the 13th minute to a Luka Milivojevic penalty — Reds keeper Loris Karius having brought down Wilfried Zaha — before Sadio Mane levelled after the break. Despite having one of his quieter games, Mohamed Salah proved to be the match winner with an 84th-minute strike.
But while the performance was not that of a top-four side, Klopp did not seem to care, seemingly happy Liverpool were able to grind out a vital three points as they look to ensure Champions League football next season.
“The win was deserved,” Klopp said. “You saw it was difficult and really intense today with the atmosphere as it was, but in the end I think it was really well deserved. We got two wonderful goals after a tough start.
“It is usual for us that we need to fight here, especially after a difficult start, but it makes it more special at the end.”
While Liverpool dominated possession throughout the first half they found clear-cut chances hard to come by and looked frustrated at the break, going in 1-0 down.
After the break there was more urgency about Klopp’s men and it was not long before they got the goal they were after. James Milner worked his way down the left before fizzing in a low cross which was easily steered in by Mane.
On the balance of play it was no more than Liverpool deserved, but those who thought it would usher in a deluge of goals were to be proved wrong. Once again, for all their possession, the Reds lacked a clinical edge — strange considering the free-scoring nature of their season so far.
Mane was lucky not to get a red card for a deliberate handball, having already been booked for diving. He was hauled off by Klopp and so missed Salah’s winner. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain crossed to Andrew Robertson on the left, whose pass found the Egyptian in the box. Salah took a touch before firing home for his 29th Premier League goal of the season.
But even then there was a sense that the Reds had been lucky. Their former striker Christian Benteke missed two glorious chances, and had one of those gone in then it could have been a different story. In contrast, Salah had only one real chance and made it count.
Next up for Liverpool is Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday. And for Jordan Henderson, victory over Palace sets them up nicely for the biggest game of their season so far.
“It was a big result. We were not at our best, but we kept going and fighting,” the Reds skipper said.
“It is a sign of a good team to win while not playing our best. We kept finding a way and Mo got another goal to win the game.
“At half-time we thought we could get back in the game and win it. The lads reacted brilliantly. (The win) gives us momentum for the game on Wednesday.”
Mohamed Salah reigns again as Liverpool stage Crystal Palace coup
Mohamed Salah reigns again as Liverpool stage Crystal Palace coup
Nacho Fernandez opens up on ‘pleasure’ of Al-Qadsiah journey through Saudi football
- Speaking at ‘Ithra Cultural Days: Spain,’ the former Real Madrid defender says he has enjoyed adapting to Saudi football since joining the Alkhobar club in the summer of 2024
DHAHRAN: Al-Qadsiah’s Spanish captain, Nacho Fernandez, has described his experience at the club as a “pleasure” as he spoke about his experience in Saudi football at “Ithra Cultural Days: Spain” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture on Thursday night.
On stage with journalist Khaled Alarafah, Nacho opened up about his adaptation to the Saudi Pro League, his role at Al-Qadsiah, and the ways he hopes to contribute to the club’s growth and the development of the sport in the region.
“I feel lucky to be on a very easygoing team because I have wonderful teammates, both foreigners and Saudis,” the former Real Madrid defender said. “In the year and a half I’ve been here, we’ve managed to build a family, and it’s a pleasure to go to training with them every day.”
Born Jose Ignacio Fernandez Iglesias in Madrid, the 35-year-old defender has long been known by his nickname Nacho, a traditional Spanish diminutive of Ignacio.
He joined Real Madrid’s academy at age 10 and went on to spend 23 years at the club, making over 300 appearances for the senior team, winning 25 major trophies and earning 29 caps for the Spanish national team.
Nacho joined Al-Qadsiah, founded in Alkhobar in 1967, in the summer of 2024 shortly after Real Madrid claimed their 15th UEFA Champions League with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. It was a personal sixth medal in Europe’s premier club competition for the player, a joint record.
“What has surprised me the most about the people of Saudi Arabia is the warm welcome; they embraced me and my family with generosity and genuine care,” Nacho added. “Family is very important in Saudi Arabia, just as it is in Spain.”
He also said football supporters across the Kingdom were special.
“I think about the Saudi football fans — they’re just as passionate about football as in Spain,” Nacho said. “I love seeing people with so much passion and I think that’s exactly what sports needs: passion.
“I don’t understand the chanting at the stadiums with the drums, but I imagine they’re meant to cheer the team on,” he laughed as the crowd at Ithra cheered along.
Nacho also highlighted the potential for Saudi football to maintain the remarkable growth it has experienced in recent years.
“I think Spanish football has been established for many more years, it’s recognized worldwide,” he said. “But here, in Saudi, things are emerging but being done very well. In fact, many of us foreigners are coming here to play, and the competitive spirit is important for all of us.”
Al-Qadsiah currently sit fifth in the Saudi Pro League table, and recently appointed former Liverpool and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers as their new head coach. Nacho said that football in Saudi has a different tempo to what he experienced in his home country.
“I would say I notice a big difference, maybe as a defender, I’d say, in Spain the game is a bit more intense, like the whole team is focused on attacking and defending as one block. Here, I notice there’s more space on the field.”
On why he chose to join Al-Qadsiah, he left a glowing review.
“Why this team? Well, because they gave me peace of mind, care and above all, the assurance that my family would be well. So when I started on this new journey, when we made the first contact, I think everything was resolved within just a week.”
For the next step in his career, he is keen on continuing to mentor aspiring players, many of whom seemed to be in the audience at King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithara.
“I’ve been a good leader. Everything I’ve learned in my career I’ve put back to help the younger players and use that experience to win matches,” Nacho added.
“Are we on the right track? I think so. Last year we had a very good season, and this year we are still fighting. The project is where it needs to be, and between the club, the players, and everyone involved, we’ll do everything possible to get back to the top. And we are,” he concluded to roaring applause.
