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 1-1 Crystal Palace
85 mins: It’s not happening for Liverpool. Crystal Palace are too strong in defence but the Reds keep on coming. Fabio Carvalho is on now but even his tricky footwork can’t set up a clear chance in front of goal.
Nunez’s sending off really has scuppered Liverpool’s chances of winning this game.
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
82 mins: Salah goes down softly in the box but doesn’t get the penalty he is looking for. Liverpool keep the attack going and Henderson floats a cross over to Alexander-Arnold.
Guehi gets up ahead of the right-back and manages to head it away.
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
79 mins: Chance! Now Zaha’s missed a sitter!
Eze carries the ball into the right side of the Liverpool box and lays it off to Doucoure who fizzes a flat cross over to the back post. Zaha lunges at it with his right foot instead of the easier option to go with his left.
His effort comes off the outside of his leg and smokes into the post! Palace should be in front again.
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
76 mins: Kostas Tsimikas swings a corner into the back but it’s competently headed away by Odsonne Edouard who finds Wilfried Zaha with his clearance.
Zaha looks to counter but Luis Diaz sprints back and shoves him off the ball to win it back for the Reds.
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
73 mins: Mo Salah seems to now be playing as the sole striker and has come into a more central position. Alexander-Arnold is playing higher up the pitch on the right pulling double duty in defence and attack.
It’s difficult for Liverpool to find a way through though. Crystal Palace have enough men at the back to cover.
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
70 mins: Chance! Fabinho fizzes the ball up to Mo Salah who backheels a flick into the box to set up Trent Alexander-Arnold with a shot at goal.
The right-back loses his composure though and blasts his effort high and wide. Then the offside flag goes up.
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
67 mins: Even with an extra player Crystal Palace are leaving the ball with Liverpool. The Reds can’t quite make use of it though and Marc Guehi intercepts a pass meant for Mo Salah.
He sends it over to Nathaniel Clyne who sprints down the right wing and gets the ball deep into Liverpool’s final third.
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
64 mins: Here come the changes. Odsonne Edouard replaces Jordan Ayew for Crystal Palace.
Jurgen Klopp meanwhile makes three substitutions. Kostas Tsimikas, Jordan Henderson and Joe Gomez all come on to replace Andy Robertson, James Milner and Nat Phillips.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace (61’, - Diaz) ⚽️
61 mins: What a goal from Luis Diaz!
He receives the ball on the left wing and cuts inside with the ball. The Colombian beats four or five defenders as he works his way to the front edge of the box before blasting an effort right into the far corner of the goal.
What a strike! Liverpool are level.
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