LONDON: Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Crystal Palace were deserving 2-1 winners as the Premier League champions’ perfect start to the season came to an abrupt end at Selhurst Park.
Slot’s men had won all seven of their Premier League, Champions League and League Cup games since losing on penalties to Palace in the Community Shield last month.
However, a new-look Liverpool, overhauled by a near £450 million ($602 million) spend in the transfer market, have flirted with failure only to be bailed out by a series of late goals.
Ismaila Sarr’s ninth-minute opener was scant reward for a dominant first half from Palace as only a string of saves from Alisson Becker kept the visitors in the game.
It looked like Liverpool might escape south London with a point after Federico Chiesa levelled with another late goal.
But this time the Reds were undone in stoppage time when Eddie Nketiah smashed in.
“If one team deserved to win today it was Palace,” said Slot.
“Credit to Palace — with the Community Shield it’s not the first time we’ve lost to them.
“They deserved to be two or three up in the first half.”
Including the Community Shield, Liverpool have conceded two goals in five of their nine games this season.
Slot was particularly angered by his side’s defending for the winner when Jeremie Frimpong switched off to leave Nketiah unmarked at the back post.
“We can only blame ourselves for defending the way we did,” said Slot.
“One of our players ran out because he wanted to play a counter-attack, which was of no use because time was up, so it was only about defending.
“One player was too offensively minded in that moment, which led to them scoring the winner and us losing the game.”
Palace are the only unbeaten team left in the Premier League.
Stretching back to before their FA Cup win last season, the Eagles have not lost in 18 games in all competitions.
“These are the moments why we love football. The fans will have a great Saturday evening now,” said Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
“We deserved it. Great performance, great game, great win.”
Glasner has transformed Palace’s fortunes over the past 18 months, but believes his side’s first-half display was a new high.
“I think the first half was the best half since we arrived,” he said.
“Leading the champions by one goal you always think they can strike back and we were under immense pressure in the second half.
“But even when they equalized and the momentum can change we kept our heads. It was such a team effort.”
Liverpool ‘deserved’ defeat to Crystal Palace, says Slot
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Liverpool ‘deserved’ defeat to Crystal Palace, says Slot
- Ismaila Sarr’s ninth-minute opener was scant reward for a dominant first half from Palace
- “If one team deserved to win today it was Palace,” said Slot
Guardiola hails Man City’s ‘massive’ win over Newcastle
- Guardiola’s second-placed side closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to just two points with their tense victory at the Etihad Stadium
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola labelled Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday as a “massive” moment in the Premier League title race.
Guardiola’s second-placed side closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to just two points with their tense victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Nico O’Reilly put City ahead in the first half and restored the lead before half-time after Lewis Hall had equalized.
City weren’t at their best in the second half, but they held on to pile pressure on spluttering Arsenal, who travel to Tottenham for the north London derby on Sunday.
Guardiola knew it was essential to make Arsenal sweat.
“Massive. Newcastle is an incredible team, awesome in physicality and speed they have up front. Physicality in the middle. Really tough but the team was unbelievable,” he said.
“It’s coming in best part of the season. Every single game will be similar to today.”
After finishing without a trophy last season, City are back in the hunt for the seventh English title of Guardiola’s reign.
They will have a game in hand on Arsenal after this weekend and are guaranteed to win the title if they win their last 11 league matches.
Guardiola has embarked on an expensive overhaul of City’s squad in the last 12 months, shedding aging stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson and Kyle Walker and bringing in the likes of Marc Guehi, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki.
The Spaniard is well aware that his new generation largely lacks the experience of winning under the pressure of a title race, which made their gritty success against Newcastle even more meaningful.
“70 percent of the players have never been in that situation, and I don’t play. So we have to live it, they know that every game will be like this,” he said.
“Especially at home, with five home games left. Today was the best crowd of the year, it was unbelievable with our people, really proud to be manager of these incredible people and fans.
“Of course in terms of points it’s important, but we have to improve to have chance to compete until the end. Now we deserve three more days off. Then another battle in Leeds.”
Guardiola singled out O’Reilly for praise after the young England midfielder’s pair of clinical finishes showed he won’t be affected by the strain of chasing Arsenal.
“Nico give us in the middle that physicality that we need. He now plays in his position,” he said.
“He has always played that, he is so complete and so young. I am really pleased the academy produced these incredible players, Nico, Phil (Foden), Rico (Lewis).”
