Liverpool secured a 3-0 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday, a result that owed much to a contentious penalty awarded after a clash of heads. Referee Tony Harrington pointed to the spot following an incident involving Milos Kerkez and Dario Osorio, allowing Eddie Nketiah to score and deny Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker a clean sheet.
The decision was widely criticised as harsh, but a 3-0 scoreline would have flattered Palace, who battled throughout. The defeat leaves Pierre Sage's position under increasing scrutiny, with the manager having led Lens to a first-ever Coupe de France triumph last season.
Iraola's Liverpool Continue to Improve
Andoni Iraola, who was the only manager approached for the Liverpool job after Arne Slot's dismissal in June, has overseen a smoother transition than at his previous club. After 10 league games, Liverpool sit fourth, having won five times.
Speaking after the match, Iraola noted the importance of the first goal. "In the first half the game was quite open, chances for both teams and we had a save from Alisson that is key for us," he said. "The first goal was important, to go 1-0 up by half-time. In the second half we defended much better, we controlled much better the game."
Defensive Solidity and Set-Piece Strength
Liverpool have conceded four fewer league goals than at the same stage last season and have kept one more clean sheet, while they are yet to concede from a set piece. Ronald Araujo's integration at right-back has been seamless, and Jeremy Jacquet has replaced Ibrahima Konate effectively.
Against Palace, Jacquet won seven of his 10 aerial duels and made a joint-highest seven clearances. Kerkez, a former favourite of Iraola at Bournemouth, has shown suitability for the pressing traps the head coach demands, making the joint-second-most interceptions.
While the press has improved, gaps have appeared. Liverpool are seventh for goals conceded (10) and third for clean sheets (four), but sit seventh for expected goals conceded (13.2). Alisson was immense on Sunday, making six saves, but the Reds rank 13th for saves per match.
Szoboszlai vs Nyoni Dilemma
Dominik Szoboszlai started ahead of Trey Nyoni, who had begun the previous three games. Szoboszlai created more chances than any other player on the pitch (six) and delivered 10 set-piece balls, contributing to a high expected assist score. However, he competed in only three duels and made no tackles or interceptions.
Nyoni, who has not been dispossessed in the league and ranks in the top 10% of midfielders for interceptions and line-breaking passes, offers structure. Szoboszlai, in contrast, is a creative weapon, ranking among the best midfielders for expected assists and chances created.
The challenge for Iraola is to balance both players' contrasting strengths while managing Nyoni's workload, given he played 13 games last season.
Attack Shows Promise but Needs More Open-Play Creativity
Liverpool created just 1.05 expected goals from open play against Palace, with most of their threat coming from set pieces. Barcola and Wirtz both registered their third assists of the season, and Wirtz scored a composed goal, while Alexander Isak added a third late on.
Isak has scored seven league goals from 4.86 expected goals, accounting for half of the team's total. Without his goals, Liverpool would be the lowest scorers in the division, highlighting a reliance on the Swede.
Despite the concerns, the attack is improving. Wirtz and Barcola's assist numbers suggest growing chemistry, and Cody Gakpo has assisted three of Isak's goals. The team remains a work in progress as players adapt to a new style, but the defensive improvements provide a foundation to build on.
