Liverpool favoured by fortune but fly to Dubai with defensive dilemma | Andy Hunter

Jürgen Klopp’s team showed again against Crystal Palace how adept they are at eking out victory but James Milner’s late red card exacerbates a defensive problem

Mention the title to Jürgen Klopp and he tends to go into meltdown but there are days and there are games when a 29-year-old dream sharpens into focus. Liverpool endured and enjoyed one of those days against Crystal Palace when their manager’s fist-pumping celebrations resurfaced long after he left the Anfield pitch to reinforce the point he is understandably averse to say. The countdown is under way.

Liverpool did not perform like title favourites against Roy Hodgson’s dangerous side, who scored as many goals as 10 previous visiting teams to Anfield combined this season yet departed ruing their lack of points, fortune and goalkeeping options. The nature of Liverpool’s 19th victory in 23 league outings, a truly outstanding return, will not have been lost on Pep Guardiola, however. The single-minded pursuit of three more invaluable points, the breaks and the composure shown at 0-1 and 2-2 were not lost on Klopp either.

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