Despite Darwin Nunez being sensationally dismissed for a headbutt on his full debut, Luis Diaz helped Liverpool hold off Crystal Palace at Anfield to a 1-1 draw.
Wilfried Zaha’s first-half goal against the run of play had given Crystal Palace the lead, and when Nunez reacted recklessly to a push from Joachim Andersen earning a red, Jurgen Klopp’s side seemed destined for a humiliating defeat in their first home game of the Premier League season.
The mood at Anfield was dramatically changed by Diaz’s superb solo goal, which he scored when his team needed something exceptional.
The outstanding Palace got the closest to a victory when Zaha hit the post, but the draw means neither team has won this year.
With Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino absent against Palace, the Reds could have done without Nunez’s imminent three-game suspension though.
As for Monday’s trip to Manchester United, midfielders Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, defenders Ibrahima Konate and Calvin Ramsay, striker Diogo Jota, and backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher are all still expected to be out.
How Did Klopp Respond?
“The week was crazy; I have experienced a lot of weeks but that was like we had a witch in the building,” according to Klopp, who was speaking about the injury situation.
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“It’s not the start we wanted but that’s the least of my problems because it’s really tricky at the moment with injuries. We have to use the next week to maybe bring one or two back.
“We lost Darwin today which doesn’t help but Bobby (Firmino) might be ready for next week. It’s not a concern, it’s just a start.”
Next Monday, Liverpool will travel to fierce rival Manchester United who are in search of their first Premier League points of the season.
A week from today: 12th-place Liverpool face 20th-place Manchester United pic.twitter.com/tGwcZiYik3
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 15, 2022
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