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:
Tsimikas could return for Liverpool
Kostas Tsimikas could also be back for Liverpool tonight after a knock kept him out of the trip to Craven Cottage last weekend.
Jurgen Klopp spoke about his squad on Friday and said: “A couple of boys are coming back: Naby [Keita] will be back for Monday and Kostas will train today for the first time so he might be back as well.
“That’s the situation.”
Henderson on returning to Anfield
Jordan Henderson cannot wait to get back to playing at Anfield and is excited to get Liverpool’s first home match of the season underway.
Writing in the programme notes for the clash with Crystal Palace the Liverpool captain wrote: “The first home game of a new season is always one of the fixtures that anyone who is lucky enough to be involved in football just can’t wait for. It was the same when I was a kid, going to matches with my dad, and it applies even more now that I have the privilege of playing for Liverpool,”
He added: “It might happen every year, but you could never get bored of this feeling.
“There is always a different atmosphere in and around the ground. You can feel the excitement and there is a real sense of occasion. I have been here long enough to know exactly what Anfield will be like and the fact that we kick off with a night game only adds to the anticipation.
“These are the days we all live for as players, staff and supporters so hopefully between us we can make the most of it by getting off to the best possible start.
Early team news for Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Thiago Alcantara injured his hamstring against Fulham last week and is likely to be out for a month so won’t feature for Liverpool tonight. Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain sidelined but Naby Keita has recovered from illness and may feature.
Crystal Palace are still be missing James McArthur and James Tomkins but Michael Olise has been training with the team and could be in the squad.
However, he may not be fit enough to play a part in tonight’s clash.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Premier League as Liverpool host Crystal Palace at Anfield.
The Reds came up against a resolute Fulham side in their opening game of the season but twice managed to come from behind and rescue a point. Goals from new signing Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah ensured Jurgen Klopp’s men left Craven Cottage with a draw but the manager wasn’t happy at the sluggish performances from his players and will want to set that right at Anfield tonight.
Crystal Palace meanwhile faced a reinvigorated Arsenal after the Gunners lost out on the Champions League last year. Mikel Arteta’s summer signings - Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus - helped them to a 2-0 victory in what was a brilliant outing for the north London side.
Patrick Vieira won’t be too disheartened though, his side put up a decent fight and created some decent chances of their own. Arsenal and Liverpool are two of the toughest matches to start a season with and even if the results don’t go Palace’s way Vieira will be focused on the fight and technical skills his side display.
Which way will this match go tonight? Will Liverpool get back to winning ways or will the Eagles shock the Reds and leave Anfield with three points of their own?
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