Stare we go! Benteke’s Kop KO
PAGES 72-73
The significance of Christian Benteke’s goals, however, was enormous. He used to be viewed as a £32.5million misfit in these parts but today locals will simply see him as the man who has put Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations in jeopardy.
suddenly, they are in a spot where their chances of finishing in the top four could slither through their fingers as Crystal Palace recorded a third straight win at anfield. Bar a moment of brilliance from Philippe Coutinho, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool got what they deserved. nothing.
Palace, on the other hand, reaped the rewards their endeavours merited and while Benteke was reluctant to show his feelings, he did not disguise his determination to prove a point as he bullied Liverpool into submission.
‘I said to myself if I have a chance to score, I won’t celebrate,’ said Benteke, who was moved to selhurst Park 13 months after he became the second biggest signing in Liverpool history. ‘I was motivated.’
It showed. Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip, Liverpool’s central defenders, could not get to grips with his physicality or his presence. Benteke unsettled them to the point that Klopp’s back four malfunctioned at the most inopportune point, leaving the Liverpool manager bewildered by the goals his side shipped.
This always had the potential to be one of those awkward afternoons when fans become agitated if an early goal fails to arrive. With Palace set up in typical sam allardyce fashion — organised, obdurate, uncompromising — they were not going to bear gifts.
‘as the underdog, you set out a game plan,’ said the Palace boss. ‘This league is so exciting because when you set out a game plan it can turn over the opposition when it’s not expected. We did that. From start to finish, we were tactically exceptional.’
everything went to plan for the first 24 minutes for allardyce. The crowd were quiet, Liverpool were limited and Palace showed ambition of their own, Benteke going close from 20 yards.
But then Luka Milivojevic clattered into Coutinho and the dynamic changed briefly. The Brazilian placed the ball 30 yards from goal before whipping his shot into the top corner.
The free-kick was so good that Graeme souness, Liverpool’s former captain and manager, described it as ‘almost perfect’. It should have given Liverpool impetus.
But Palace responded with a deserved goal just before half-time. James Tomkins, who later left anfield on crutches with an ankle problem, fed Joel Ward, who in turn found Yohan
Cabaye. Lovren tried to nip in front of Cabaye only to be hoodwinked as the France international delivered a cross for Benteke to apply an emphatic finish. ‘One long ball, one cross and Benteke across the box,’ Klopp lamented. ‘There is nothing good to say. Benteke’s an outstanding striker but if you leave him alone like we did I’m not sure he needed to show all those skills. Their confidence grew immediately.’ Palace began the second half with a team huddle and their efforts eventually left Liverpool in a muddle. The only opportunity the hosts fashioned came when Coutinho had a shot charged down by Tomkins.
Palace realised the game was there to be taken and they should have done so in the 70th minute when Cabaye shot over. The winner arrived four minutes later but Liverpool’s poor defending did not help, Roberto Firmino failing to clear Andros Townsend’s corner and Benteke squeezing in front of Lovren to head home his fifth goal in five games.
Palace are now almost certainly safe from relegation. But Liverpool have never looked more vulnerable. ‘This feels bad but already I want to strike back,’ said Klopp. ‘We have to try everything and we will. Our job is to squeeze everything out of this season.’
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3) Mignolet 6; Clyne 6 (Grujic 84min), Matip 5, Lovren 4 (Alexander-Arnold 79), Milner 6 (Moreno 82); Wijnaldum 6, Lucas 6, Can 5; Firmino 5, Origi 5, Coutinho 7. Subs not used: Karius, Gomez, Brewster, Woodburn.
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-5-1) Hennessey 7; Ward 7, Kelly 7, Tomkins 8, Schlupp 7; Zaha 6 (Van Aanholt 78), Cabaye 7.5 (Delaney 83), Milivojevic 6.5, Puncheon 7, Townsend 7.5; Benteke 8.5. Subs not used: Speroni, Flamini, Campbell, McArthur, Sako.
Booked: Benteke Man of the match: Christian Benteke. Referee: Andre Marriner 7.