Jurgen Klopp witnessed his heavily rotated Liverpool team succumb to a sixth defeat in their last seven games, as Ismaïla Sarr’s double helped Crystal Palace advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Oliver Glasner’s Eagles triumphed over the Reds for the third occasion this campaign, following their Community Shield penalty-shootout victory and their recent Premier League win at Selhurst Park, this time with a victory at Anfield.
Sarr’s brace in the first half, followed by a late goal from Yeremy Pino, secured a 3-0 fourth-round victory for FA Cup titleholders Palace. This win compounded the woes for Liverpool manager Klopp, whose choice to make 10 alterations to the lineup proved unsuccessful in front of a packed stadium.
The result prolongs the reigning Premier League champions’ downward trajectory, which began with their loss at Selhurst Park 32 days prior, while Glasner’s team can now entertain the prospect of adding another trophy to their collection.
Klopp’s squad had a promising start to Wednesday’s match, but familiar adversary Sarr scored twice before halftime, bringing his total to seven goals in nine matches against Liverpool.
Palace maintained control throughout the second half. The outcome was all but decided when teenage Reds substitute Amara Nallo was dismissed in the 79th minute, and Pino added the final touch with a late goal.
Glasner implemented five changes to his weekend starting eleven, compared to Liverpool’s ten, where debutant Kieran Morrison headed over early on, preceding teenager Rio Ngumoha confidently cutting in from the left flank and bending an effort wide.
Federico Chiesa spearheaded the attack for the home side and squandered a good opportunity midway through the first half, later seeing a cross-shot saved by Walter Benítez after additional impressive play by 17-year-old Ngumoha.
Freddie Woodman, a lifelong Palace supporter making his Liverpool debut, saved shots from Will Hughes and Sarr as the visitors began to create more threats.
That pressure, along with a stroke of fortune, culminated in a breakthrough in the 41st minute. A poor touch by Daniel Muñoz was intercepted in the box by Joe Gomez, who inadvertently set up Sarr to powerfully drive the ball past Woodman in front of the Kop.
That setback was quickly followed by another blow four minutes later. Sarr connected with a low pass through the center with a flick to Pino, who intelligently played it back for Sarr to take a touch and direct it past Woodman.
There was a show of support from the Liverpool fans as the teams came out from the interval, but Palace kept the home side at bay.
Sarr had an attempt at a hat trick thwarted by Woodman and was taken off soon after the hour mark, perhaps with Glasner anticipating a tougher match against Brentford on Saturday.
Palace’s bench appeared significantly stronger than that of the Reds, with Klopp introducing Wellity Lucky for his debut as part of an inexperienced triple substitution that involved Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, and Morrison being withdrawn.
Nallo was among those introduced but was unable to finish the match after fouling Justin Devenny as the Palace substitute was running through on goal. It marked the 18-year-old’s second sending off in just his second appearance for Liverpool.
More misfortune was to come from a Liverpool perspective as summer signing Pino displayed his talent by shifting the ball onto his right foot and firing home his first Palace goal in the 88th minute.
