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:
Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace
15 mins: Nat Phillips sends the ball long over the top of the Palace defence and Darwin Nunez makes a nice run to recover the ball. Luis Diaz is the only option in the box and Nunez tries to find him but his pass is too close to Vicente Guaita and the goalkeeper clings onto the ball.
Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace
12 mins: Jeffrey Schlupp threads a decent ball up to Wilfried Zaha who is playing through the middle of Crystal Palace tonight. Zaha attempts to control the ball and shift it in behind Nat Phillips but Virgil van Dijk is covering and tackles the forward to recover possession for Liverpool.
Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace
9 mins: Chance! Huge opportunity for Liverpool to take the lead here.
Virgil van Dijk switches the play over to the right wing where Trent Alexander-Arnold sprints forward and brings the ball under control. He sends in inside to Mo Salah who nudges the ball to Harvey Elliott.
Elliott shifts away from a defender before shooting but Joachim Andersen gets in the way and deflects the ball bacl to Alexander-Arnold. The right-back flicks one over to the back post where Darwin Nunez has dropped off his marker and volleys his effort over the crossbar!
Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace
8 mins: Alexander-Arnold looks to send Salah free down the right wing but Tyrick Mitchell sticks with him and uses his strength to hold the Liverpool forward at bay.
Nice defending. Palace are having to work hard in these opening minutes.
Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace
6 mins: Nearly! Guaita is back on his feet and confidently comes off his line to pluck the ball out of the air after Mo Salah’s cross curls in towards Harvey Elliott.
Salah gets into another strong position on the right side and lays the ball off to Elliott inside the box. The 19-year-old has a dart at goal but his effort gets blocked and cleared.
Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace
3 mins: Guaita has stayed down after those opening exchanges and needs a bit of wrapping on his right leg just above the shin pad. There’s a break in play but Liverpool will be encouraged by how quickly they’ve started.
Kick off: Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace get the game going and boot the ball over to the left side where Nat Phillips leaps towards the ball and heads it away from the Liverpool penalty area.
The Reds recover the ball and work their way into midfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold pushes forward on the right and he swings in a cross towards Darwin Nunez.
Close! Vicente Guaita comes out to punch the ball clear and sends it straight to James Milner. He brings the ball under control and blasts one at goal but hoofs it over the crossbar!
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Here come the players.
James Milner leads out Liverpool in the absence of Jordan Henderson and Joel Ward takes charge of Crystal Palace. Anfield is always a tough place to play and Palace will be under pressure from the get go tonight.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
It’ll be interesting to see how Liverpool go tonight. Their bench doesn’t look all that strong and if Crystal Palace get off to a good start the players may start to get worried.
The match is at Anfield though and the Reds supporters will lift them throughout the game.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Since losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace in April 2017, Liverpool have won 10 consecutive Premier League matches against the Eagles. Palace have lost their last five Premier League games in a row at Anfield.
Liverpool haven’t lost their first home league match in any of the last 18 seasons (14 wins, four draws), winning their last nine in a row.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments