Liverpool vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction after Darwin Nunez red card
The Reds’ search for their first win of the season continues after the Eagles earned a point at Anfield
Darwin Nunez lost his head but fellow South American Luis Diaz ensured 10-man Liverpool did not lose their long unbeaten home record with a brilliant equaliser to secure a 1-1 Premier League draw with Crystal Palace.
Anfield is no stranger to fiery Uruguayans after witnessing the highs and lows of Luis Suarez for three-and-a-half years but the recklessness of their summer signing’s weak headbutt on Joachim Andersen beggared belief.
Frustration had been growing having gone behind to Wilfried Zaha’s 32nd-minute goal against the run of play but the way Nunez to reacted to being provoked by the Palace centre-back was naive at best and idiotic at worst.
The fact the 23-year-old’s act of self-destruction was rescued by Diaz, who beat at least five players in shimmying his way into position to unleash a 25-yard shot past Victor Guaita, four minutes after the red card, will be of no consolation.
Nunez is currently Jurgen Klopp’s only fit striker, with Diogo Jota nursing a thigh injury and Roberto Firmino missing the game as a precaution, and his resulting three-match ban - with arch-rivals Manchester United next up in a week’s time - is likely to be costly.
Klopp’s side already trail leaders Manchester City by four points and with the margin for error in the title race so tight, they cannot afford many more nights like this.
Follow all the reaction from Anfield:
Darwin Nunez sent-off as Liverpool are held at home by Crystal Palace
Jurgen Klopp blanked Darwin Nunez as he trudged past him. He loved what he saw when the Uruguayan first played at Anfield, even though it damaged his team, but he was in Benfica’s colours that day. He was less happy with what he witnessed on the £64 million striker’s home debut as, once again, he harmed Liverpool.
While Nunez was sent off for a combination of foolishness and violent conduct, Klopp’s other big buy from Portugal this year spared Liverpool the rarity of defeat at Anfield. Luis Diaz’s was a superlative equaliser but theirs has been a stuttering start to the season. With two games gone, they are four points behind Manchester City.
The title race may not be over but, even with 108 points to play for, it is hard to make up such a deficit to Pep Guardiola’s side, especially when the eventual winners end up around the 95-point mark.
Darwin Nunez sent-off as Liverpool are held at home by Crystal Palace
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha’s first-half goal was cancelled out by a solo stunner from Luis Diaz
Reaction from Wilfried Zaha
Crystal Palace’s goalscorer, Wilfried Zaha, spoke to Sky Sports after the match saying:
“We just knew it was going to be hard work and it was a case of taking our chances. We knew we would have to suffer but our plan was to soak it up and take chances, so I am happy with the point.
“They were pushing forward and I was looking for space in behind. It only takes one chance and I am glad I took it today.
“As soon as Eze played it through I had in my mind what I wanted to do. I didn’t want the goalkeeper to set himself so I just took it early.
“We are a good team and handling the big teams well, so I am very optimistic about this season, especially with the way we are playing.”
Manchester United could finish in bottom half of Premier League
Gary Neville believes Manchester United are in “special measures” and that they could finish in the bottom half of the Premier League if they do not address their “horror story” recruitment strategy.
The former United defender was vocal in his criticism of the club’s owners following a humiliating 4-0 loss at Brentford on Saturday.
The defeat left Erik Ten Hag’s side bottom of the table after the Dutchman lost his first competitive game in charge a week earlier at home to Brighton.
Manchester United could finish in bottom half of Premier League – Gary Neville
The former United defender was vocal in his criticism of the club’s owners following a humiliating 4-0 loss at Brentford on Saturday.
FT Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
Two missed chances and a red card for Darwin Nunez. Not the Anfield debut he would have dreamed about.
FT Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
Nunez will now miss the match against Manchester United next Monday.
FT Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
Liverpool settle for another point but it’s the first time in 10 years that they’ve failed to win one of their opening two matches of the season.
After two games they are already four points behind Manchester City who top the table.
Full-time: Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
90+5 mins: It’s a draw! Crystal Palace see out the game and Liverpool have to settle for another draw.
Darwin Nunez’s sending off was a key factor in why Liverpool couldn’t capitalise on the pressure they’d built up. The Reds will be thanking Luis Diaz for his spectacular solo goal that rescued them another point.
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
90+2 mins: Fabio Carvalho attempts to take the ball off Palace substitue Michael Olise and stands on his foot earning himself a yellow card too.
Kostas Tsimikas isn’t happy with how long it’s taking the Eagles to take the free kick and has a go at the referee which puts him in the book for dissent.
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play. Vicente Guaita and Odsonne Edouard have both be shown yellow cards for time-wasting.
Is there going to be a winning goal?
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
87 mins: Close! Henderson chips a cross in from the right side of the pitch and sends the ball all the way over to Tsimikas. The left-back brings the ball down then shoots and has the effort deflected into the path of Salah.
Salah takes a touch then shoots on the turn and sends the ball mere inches wide of the left-hand post!
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