Talk lfc match report

by Anthony Jones at Talklfc

The saying goes that home is where the heart is. Sadly this season, Liverpool's heart has been firmly left at Anfield - away from home the sides form has been little short of woeful. Benitez has learnt a lot already in his time in England - learning the winning formula on the travels is a chapter not yet completed.

Benitez again opted to play with three centre halves, the system he opted for in Turin and has used since. There was however changes in personnel. Pellegrino returned to the centre of defence, Traore moved to wing back in place of Riise. In midfield John Welsh and Anthony Le Tallec were both selected to start, suggesting Benitez is not afraid to throw in youngsters showing good form in the reserves. It was Alonso and Garcia who were given a rest, neither making the bench - surely a hint that Benitez was hedging his bets between this match and the upcoming Champions League semi-final. Gerrard returned at the expense of Biscan with Baros again partnering Morientes.

Within moments of the start Crystal Palace outlined their approach. Snapping into the tackles, they allowed Liverpool no time to settle into their game. Milan Baros appeared to be quickly targetted, taking a knock very early on, one that he would not recover from. After again being caught late, not only once but twice, he was replaced by Darren Potter.

To say Liverpool were disappointing in the opening fourty five minutes is an understatement. It would be easy to point the blame at the young players but in truth it was the senior players who let Liverpool down. Throughout the spine of the side Liverpool failed to make an impact. Pellegrino and Hyypia were continually troubled by the pace of Johnson. Gerrard seemed somewhat subdued, whether this was on request or not is hard to tell, but gone were the rampaging runs from the middle of the park. Upfront Morientes again looked unsure of which wavelength his team mates were operating on.

Whilst Liverpool looked disjointed and consequently short of ideas and direction, Palace were focused in their approach. The game plan was simple, win the ball wherever it was on the park and then deliver it forward quickly to try and utilise the pace of Johnson, Soares and Routledge.

The first half, in fact the game in total was far from a classic with few chances created by either side. From a free kick Popovic had a chance to head home but saw his effort saved by Dudek. He could do little about Johnson's opener though. A shot from Routledge looked harmless enough until Johnson instinctively managed to redirect it. It was a lead Liverpool would rarely look like threatening. Morientes had a single chance to score but his header lacked sufficient power to trouble Kiraly.

In the second half Palace continued to dog Liverpool in midfield and looked threatening through their pace in attack. Benitez tried desperately to shuffle the pack, Riise replacing Pellegrino and then Cisse replacing Traore. It was Palace who created the next chance though, Johnson once again breaking free down the Liverpool left and his low cross found Soares after Carragher missed his kick. The young Palace player's shot was going wide though but Pellegrino cleared from close to his goal line to be certain.

As the half drew on, Liverpool tried to add more urgency to their game though there was still little fluency in their passing. Concious of the counter attack they were never confident in squeezing the game up and this allowed the Palace midfielders to chase down Liverpool players at will. Gerrard, having improved after the break, nearly opened up the Palace defence with a sublime pass. With Morientes running onto the ball, Popovic needed to make a desperate tackle, playing the ball onto the striker with the rebound going wide of goal.

Not much later Gerrard was at the other end making a superb tackle on Soares in the box, cries for a penalty went up but Gerrard had clearly taken nothing but the ball. As the clock ticked on, Liverpool's attempts became increasingly desperate. Cisse volleyed from wide out after a pinpoint pass from Gerrard but it lacked power. The same player also turned quickly after seeing a wicked cross from Gerrard bounce his way after hitting a defender but again his shot was weak.

Gerrard also had a couple of efforts. The first after Riise had held up the ball on the left and then delivered a high, looping cross. Gerrard did well to drive into the box and leap higher than the defender but with no pace on the ball he was unable to get enough purchase on the ball to power it home. His final chance, and Liverpool's, came after Palace failed to properly clear the ball out of the box. Gerrard picked the ball up on the edge of the area, drove forward a yard and then struck a right foot volley to the keepers left. Kiraly reacted well low down to his left and pushed the ball wide.

Palace held out for a victory that enhances their slim hopes of survival, whilst severely damaging Liverpool's plans for Champions League football next season. Questions will be asked of the team Benitez put out today, with some merit. The will be wondering thoughts as to why Alonso and Garcia, though understandably in need of a rest were not put on the bench in case of a greater need. Any criticism of Benitez though should be tempered with understanding - one that he does not yet have a squad as strong as he hopes and secondly that he has had to deal with an incredible injury list this season. With such a background, it's easy to understand why Benitez is cautious about players who he considers key to his club's immediate and long term future. Against Portsmouth and Crystal Palace Benitez has shuffled his pack, taking a gamble on the ability of his squad - it worked in one game, sadly today the gamble came up short.

Champions League football now looks an unlikely agenda after the end of the club's involvement this season. It is undoubtedly a blow for all involved at the club.