Mourinho: Why I want to see my rampant Reds lose
■ Sadio Mane scores Liverpool’s winner against Crystal Palace yesterday.
IT was Sadio Mane to the rescue as Liverpool finally lifted their Eagles curse with a home victory.
Having lost to Crystal Palace at Anfield in each of the past three seasons, the Reds had threatened to drop more points against their bogey team until Mane stepped up.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had thrown away two points on the opening day in their 3- 3 draw at Watford, so this victory, while far from vintage, was just what the doctor ordered.
As Liverpool struggled to break down a massed opposing defence, the mind wandered to a certain Brazilian capable of that bit of magic, who was again missing with a back injury.
On this evidence, it’s easy to understand why the Reds are so reluctant to sell Philippe Coutinho, despite Barcelona’s latest £114 million bid.
“Nothing has changed,” said Klopp. “There is nothing new from the injury side. If I speak to the owners, I don’t think this is the situation I should talk about. But I am informed about everything in the club.”
As the Reds try to plot a way through to the Champions League group stages, Klopp made five changes to his team in between their two legs with German side Hoffenheim.
Daniel Sturridge was back after recovering from a thigh injury and there was a debut at left-back for Andy Robertson as one of three changes in the back four. And with a clean
sheet in the bag, Klopp was a happy man at the end.
“We defended outstandingly well and the protection was good,” he said. “The win was well deserved, even if it was not perfect.”
Robertson, who arrived in the summer from relegated Hull for just £ 8 million, is following in the great traditions of players from north of the border at Anfield.
He nearly set up an early goal when he swung in a devilish free- kick which goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey completely missed but Joel Matip contrived to head wide with the goal gaping.
The ex- Dundee United man’s left- foot produced another super delivery which caused chaos in the Palace ranks, but the ball hit Mane before he could react at close range. Both keepers were then called into action in the best moment of the half as Hennessey kept out Roberto Firmino at one end before Simon Mignolet denied Jason Puncheon at the other following a swift Eagles counter-attack.
After the interval, Hennessey got down to save Georginio Wijnaldum’s low volley before Palace spurned the best chance of the game.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek did brilliantly to get to the dead- ball line and pick out Christian Benteke who should have scored from six yards, but the former Liverpool striker put it over the bar.
With Liverpool still striving for a breakthrough, Klopp turned to his bench to send on first Mohamed Salah and then Dominic Solanke, with Sturridge one of those to make way.
Solanke then had a hand as the goal finally arrived. Luka Milivojevic failed to clear his lines under pressure from the substitute and when the ball ran loose, Mane reacted fastest to slide it past Hennessey.
There was nearly a first Reds goal for Solanke only for Hennessey to make a good block and then the Welshman was flying to touch over a sweet strike from distance by Robertson.
He topped that with his best save of the day to save Salah’s curling effort as Liverpool couldn’t manage to add any gloss to the scoreline.
Palace were much better than in their opening loss at home to Huddersfield, but it is still two defeats out of two for new boss Frank de Boer, who was remaining positive after an improved showing.
“The biggest thing is we were really concentrated and played as a team,” he said. “We stuck to the plan so that is a compliment to the squad.
“To lose 1-0 is very disappointing because we deserved more. But I am convinced if we show this kind of intensity and discipline, the results will come.”