Again, Patrick Vieira showed his Crystal Palace side are not just pushovers for the top sides in the Premier League as the spoils was shared at Anfield, ending a run of 12 consecutive loses.
Two wonderful strike, one for the visitors and later for the host, Crystal Palace were able to earn their first point against Liverpool since a 2-1 win on the same ground in April 2017.
On a ground where almost everyone that comes walks away with nothing, Vieira was very clear of the game plan because a high pressing side like Liverpool are always going to have a good percentage of the possession.
Since his first official job at New York City, it has been obvious that the Frenchman is one of the few tactically endowed managers as he lifted the club in each of his years in the MLS, taking over when they were 17th and leading them to fourth and second places before leaving for OG Nice in 2017.
Vieira saw Nice to a seventh place finish in his debut season, one place better than they fared in the previous season but poor run in Cup games led to his departure in 2020.
Since his move to Palace, he’s employed different gameplan against different teams in order to grind out results from the seemingly impossible games.
Though plan employed on Monday night means star man, Wilfred Zaha will be less involved but when he eventually does, it will be to devasting effect and at the start of proceedings, Liverpool defenders had the situation under control albeit well aware of the danger that looms if the Ivorian is left one on one with any defender.
Liverpool, who were desperate to return to winning ways following a shocking 2-2 draw against Fulham on opening weekend, their task was not made any easier in the 32nd minute, when Zaha put the visitors ahead with a fine strike.
As Liverpool pilled the pressure of The Eagles, a very rare break from a Guaita’s long kick found Eberechi Eze, who beat Fabinho before playing Zaha through.
The forward confidently beat the offside trap and made his way to the box before firing a low shot into the far bottom corner, giving Alisson no chance.
Including shootout, Liverpool have now conceded first in each of their last nine games across all competitions.
Shocked after conceding for the first time in each of their opening two games of the season, Liverpool go all out in search of an equaliser but Mohamed Salah, who has never scored a goal in Gameweek two in any league missed a couple of chances to break the jinx.
Record signing, Darwin Nunez also spurned a couple more before letting out of frustration out on Joakim Anderson, picking up a red card on his home debut for the Reds three minutes before the hour mark.
Despite going a man down, it was Liverpool who hit back four minutes later, courtesy of a brilliant individual moment from Luiz Diaz.
The Colombian received a simple pass from James Milner, made his way into the Palace area, skipping pass a couple of player and more. He drifted outside for space on the edge of the box before unleashing a curling effort with Guaita well beaten.
In search of a winner, Jurgen Klopp made some changes with his side still dominant despite being a man short, but Palace would hold on for a rare point against the reds, the first draw in this fixture since May 2014.
It is also the first time Palace bave earned a draw at Anfield since a goalless draw December 1994. Liverpool now without a win in two and travel to Old Trafford on Monday.
Palace have just one point from two games but Patrick Vieira in his post match interview says he is happy with the result as they have played two of their opening games against title contenders and have not fared too bad.
They were the better side against Arsenal in the opening weekend but lost 2-0 due to some poor finishing by their own players but they are sure to improve as the season progresses.
The French manager beat Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur last season while Chelsea is the only side amongst the big six to escape his claws. He will be looking forward to meeting them again this season.
Palace play host to Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa on Saturday and will be looking to record their first win of the season.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
