Sports
LUIS Diaz rescued a point for Liverpool against Crystal Palace after new summer signing Darwin Nunez was sent off in his first Premier League game at Anfield.
Liverpool dominated possession in the first half but Palace went ahead through Wilfried Zaha’s clinical finish from Eberechi Eze’s superb pass.
Expensive striker Nunez had been desperate to make an impact in front of the Kop, but was deservedly shown a red card by referee Paul Tierney after 57 minutes when he reacted to a shove from Joachim Andersen with a headbutt that floored the Palace defender.
Liverpool responded in defiant fashion with a brilliant equaliser from Diaz four minutes later, cutting in from the flank before flashing a right-foot finish past Vicente Guaita.
The inevitable siege ensued, with Mo Salah and substitute Fabio Carvalho just off target. But Palace had a golden chance of their own when Zaha struck the far post when he should have scored, as Liverpool remain without a win from their first two games.
No excuse for Nunez madness
Darwin Nunez has made an excellent impression in his early days at Liverpool following his move from Benfica, scoring in the Community Shield win against Manchester City and also getting on target in the opening weekend draw at Fulham.
Here, he left Anfield with his head bowed after a totally inexcusable moment of ill-discipline that reduced Liverpool to 10 men and weakened their attacking impetus.
Nunez may have been wound up by Andersen but what followed was idiotic and expensive as he thrust his head straight into the Palace defender, leaving Tierney with no option but to send him off.
The brilliant Diaz stepped into the breach with a moment of magic for the equaliser while Harvey Elliott was also outstanding before he was substituted.
Liverpool had moments towards the end but were uncomfortable when Palace pressed, so had to settle for a draw that already leaves them four points behind expected title rivals Manchester City.
Palace show resilience and threat
Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace demonstrated in their opening game against Arsenal, even in defeat, that they have the capability to build on the development they showed in the manager’s first campaign.
And they will take huge self-confidence and belief after a point at Anfield which, with better finishing, could even have been three.
Palace spent much of the game defending, with Andersen and Marc Guehi solid, but Zaha’s goal on the counter-attack showed what they are all about, with Eze another fine contributor.
Zaha was a danger all night but held his head in anguish when he could only turn that opportunity at the far post against the upright with the goal at his mercy.
Palace held firm in the closing stages despite having to contend with a wall of noise from the Kop to earn a draw that will delight them, as will their performance.
BBC SPORT
C.E
Tags: Crystal Palace Liverpool Luis Diaz
