Arne Slot admitted that Liverpool only had themselves to blame after losing their 100 per cent record in a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.
The Reds, who have made a habit of scoring late winners this season, were given a taste of their own medicine as Eddie Nketiah clinched victory for Palace at the end of seven minutes of stoppage time. It was a gut-wrenching finish for Slot after Federico Chiesa appeared to have rescued a point for the champions by cancelling out Ismaila Sarr’s early goal just three minutes from time.
However, from a long throw-in, Jeremie Frimpong momentarily switched off, leaving Nketiah unmarked at the far post to snatch a dramatic and memorable victory for Palace.
“We can only blame ourselves for defending the way we did,” said Slot. “One of our players ran out because he wanted to play a counter-attack, which was of no use because time was up, so it was only about defending. One player was too offensively minded in that moment, which led to them scoring the winner and us losing the game.”
Palace had dominated the first half and should have been out of sight by halftime. Liverpool were rescued three times by goalkeeper Alisson Becker and once by the post from Jean-Philippe Mateta during their early onslaught.
“It was a disappointing first half and a disappointing end to the game,” added Slot. “Credit to Palace — with the Community Shield, it’s not the first time we’ve lost to them. They deserved to be two or three up in the first half.
“The second half was much better from us. We created chances which not many teams do here. It took us a while to score a goal, and when we did, to concede another set-piece goal is just as disappointing as the first half. If one team deserved to win today, it was Palace.”
Nketiah’s winner sparked wild celebration from Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who sprinted down the touchline.
“I think the first half was the best half since we arrived,” Glasner said. “Leading the champions by one goal, you always think they can strike back and we were under immense pressure in the second half. But even when they equalised and the momentum could have changed, we kept our heads. It was such a team effort. I’m very proud of our performance.”
With this result, Palace are now the only unbeaten team left in the Premier League. Yet Glasner remains grounded.
“It’s just September,” he noted. “Last year, we might have been the only team not to get a win at this stage. But it’s great to win against the champions.”
https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/arne-slot-blames-poor-defending-as-liverpools-unbeaten-start-comes-to-an-end-1811960.html
