Tag: Liverpool

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has suffered a hamstring injury, said the Spanish club Monday, ruling him out of the upcoming Champions League match with Liverpool.

“After tests taken today our player Vinicius Junior has been diagnosed by Real Madrid’s medical services with a hamstring injury in his left leg,” the club said in a statement.

Spanish media reported the Brazilian winger is expected to miss almost a month, which would also keep him out of the Champions League visit to Atalanta on December 10, as well as Wednesday’s match at Anfield.

Vinicius played the full 90 minutes of Madrid’s 3-0 win at Leganes in La Liga on Sunday, setting up Kylian Mbappe for the opening goal.

“The crazy calendar… now to recover,” wrote the 24-year-old on social media platform X.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez railed against European and world football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA respectively on Sunday for their expanding match programmes.

The Champions League this season features eight group matches instead of six and an extra round which some teams will participate in if they finish outside the top eight.

Madrid have various players out injured for long periods, including Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao with severe knee injuries, which Perez blamed on increasing numbers of matches.

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“This season we could play 82 matches — there are 63 percent more matches organised by UEFA and FIFA, from 22 to 36,” complained Perez.

“There have already been nine cruciate ruptures this season (in La Liga), the same as in the whole of last season. Specialists point to fatigue as the cause.”

Vinicius has started the season in superb form, outshining summer arrival Mbappe thus far.

The forward, who finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting, has four Champions League goals in four appearances this season as well as eight La Liga strikes in 13 games.

Champions League holders Madrid have started their European campaign in shaky form, with two defeats in their opening four matches.

They lost 1-0 at Lille and 3-1 at home against AC Milan in their last outing in the competition, leaving them 18th in the expanded group table.

Liverpool, under new coach Arne Slot, lead both the Champions League table and the Premier League.

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Mohamed Salah dropped a cryptic hint about his Liverpool future on Sunday as the Egypt star said he would never forget the feeling of scoring at Anfield “no matter what happens”.

Salah sent Liverpool to the top of the Premier League with a superb winner in Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Brighton.

The 32-year-old’s ninth goal this season underlined his huge value to the Reds as they chase their first English title since 2020.

However, Salah’s long-term future remains uncertain as his contract is due to expire at the end of this season.

Salah will be able to negotiate with non-English clubs in January and he sparked fresh talk that he could be ready to leave with his latest social media post.

“Top of the table is where this club belongs. Nothing less. All teams win matches but there’s only 1 champion in the end. That’s what we want,” he wrote on X 24 hours after his eye-catching curler saw off Brighton.

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“Thank you for your support last night. No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like.”

Paid a reported £350,000 ($453,000) per week at present, Mohamed Salah revealed after Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Manchester United earlier this season that he had yet to be contacted by the club over a new contract.

“To be fair I was coming to the game, it could be the last time (playing at Old Trafford),” he told Sky Sports in September.

But Liverpool boss Arne Slot is not concerned about Salah’s future, or fans’ concerns about defenders Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are also out of contract at the end of this term.

“The contract situation becomes a problem if players don’t perform as well as they are now,” he said.

“At the moment all three are in good places performing really well. There are ongoing discussions with the people Virgil says he has to talk to, and that’s not me as you know.”

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Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho scored first-half goals to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Wednesday while Chelsea cruised and Manchester United edged Real Betis 3-2 in pre-season matches.

Kai Havertz scored Arsenal’s goal in front of a crowd of 69,879 at the home stadium of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

In other friendly action in the United States, Chelsea swept past Mexico’s Club America 3-0, AC Milan beat Real Madrid 1-0 and Manchester United edged Real Betis 3-2.

Egyptian Salah opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 13th minute, outpacing the defenders to latch onto Harvey Elliott’s defence-splitting pass.

The striker shrugged off the attentions of Arsenal centre-back Gabriel and fired a low left-footed shot past Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein.

Carvalho doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 34th minute, with Elliott again the provider.

The 21-year-old Portuguese winger ran onto a perfectly-lofted Elliott pass into the box and fired home a crisp right-foot volley through Hein’s legs.

Arsenal reduced the deficit in the 40th minute when Havertz scored past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from point-blank range after Martin Odegaard found him in the six-yard box.

A goalless second half secured the triumph for Liverpool’s new Dutch manager Arne Slot, who has replaced Jurgen Klopp.

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Arsenal’s newly signed 22-year-old Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori was not in the Gunners’ lineup.

At San Diego, Real Betis grabbed an early advantage thanks to Iker Losada’s strike in the 15th minute.

The lead lasted only three minutes as Romain Perraud fouled Manchester United’s Amad Diallo in the box and Marcus Rashford blasted home from the spot.

Diallo gave the Old Trafford club the lead in the 24th minute and Casemiro added a left-footed blast off a pass from Rashford in the 31st for a 3-1 half-time lead.

Diego Llorente’s 61st-minute header pulled one back for Betis.

In Atlanta, Chelsea’s French striker Christopher Nkunku converted a penalty in the third minute to set them on their way against their Mexican club opponents.

Spanish 18-year-old Marc Guiu scored the second with a 21st-minute header.

Winger Noni Madueke scored Arsenal’s second penalty of the game in the 79th minute to seal the 3-0 win.

In Chicago, Nigerian international Samuel Chukwueze’s 55th-minute goal gave AC Milan a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid.

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Liverpool reached an agreement with Feyenoord on Friday for Arne Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp as manager, British media reported.

The Press Association said that a compensation package for the 45-year-old, who had two years left on his contract, has now been agreed.

The BBC claimed that the deal is worth up to £9.4 million (10.9 million euros).

Slot had said Thursday that he was “confident” of landing the Anfield job.

“I would like to go to Liverpool. Now I’m waiting to see whether the clubs reach an agreement. I’m very confident in that,” he told reporters.

Slot moved to Feyenoord in 2021 after impressing in his first managerial role at AZ Alkmaar.

He led the Dutch giants to the inaugural Europa Conference League final at the end of his first season, in which they narrowly lost 1-0 to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

Slot then delivered just a second league title in 24 years to De Kuip last season before penning a new three-year deal.

Klopp will step down at the end of this season after a nine-year reign which brought the Champions League title in 2019 and Premier League trophy a year later.

“I like the way his team plays football. If he is the one, I like that he wants it,” Klopp told reporters on Friday when asked to highlight Slot’s qualities.

“I don’t know him, but some people who know him say he’s a good guy. I like that a lot. So good coach, good guy. Looking forward for the club, if he is the solution, if he is the man, I’m more than happy.

“It’s the best job in the world, best club in the world. Great job, great team, fantastic people. A really interesting job.”

 

Feyenoord are currently second in the Eredivisie table, with PSV Eindhoven nine points clear at the top.

Failing to win the Dutch title would be a disappointment for Slot, mirroring Klopp’s frustration at Liverpool’s own faltering title bid.

Liverpool are in third place in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Arsenal and two adrift of second-placed Manchester City.

City have a game in hand on both Arsenal and Liverpool, who look to have blown their chance after defeats against Crystal Palace and Everton.

As well as their poor recent league form, Liverpool have also endured quarter-final defeats in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Initially, Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso had been the favourite to succeed Klopp.

However, Alonso has committed to staying at Leverkusen after leading them to a first-ever Bundesliga title.

Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim was also linked with the Liverpool vacancy but has reportedly held talks with West Ham about replacing David Moyes next season.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said Slot’s attacking tactics could be the ideal match for the Premier League club.

“I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment,” said Van Dijk.

“I think the way of playing and the philosophy he has, that he could be a Liverpool coach.”

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Everton secured their first win in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park since 2010 to leave Premier League title aspirations of Liverpool in ruins after a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday.

The defeat leaves Jurgen Klopp’s men still three points adrift of leaders Arsenal and only one point in front of defending champions Manchester City, who have two games in hand.

“We need a crisis at [Manchester] City and Arsenal and we need to win football games,” said Klopp of his side’s shot at the title with four games to go of his reign.

Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin took Everton eight points clear of the relegation zone.

The Toffees now look certain to extend their 70-year stay in the English top flight despite being deducted eight points on two charges of breaching financial rules.

Klopp had never lost on his previous eight visits to Goodison but his final taste of the Merseyside derby was a bitter one.

Hopes of a glorious goodbye for the German after a nearly nine-year tenure that has transformed the club’s fortunes are fading fast.

“If we play like today we have no chance to consider ourselves in the race,” said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

“I think everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their performance and if they’ve given everything. Do they really want to win the league?”

According to reports, Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is being lined up as Klopp’s successor and the past few weeks have exposed weaknesses that need addressing in a huge summer for the Liverpool hierarchy.

The Reds have won just one of their last four league games and have also bowed out of the FA Cup and Europa League in recent weeks.

Klopp made six changes after resting a number of key players for Sunday’s 3-1 win at Fulham but did not get the response he desired.

Buoyed by their weekend win over Nottingham Forest to pull clear of the relegation zone, Everton are a side transformed from the one that went 13 Premier League games without a win between December and April.

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“Delighted with the performance of our players and delighted for the Evertonians,” said Everton boss Sean Dyche.

“They’re a good side, we know that. The commitment and energy from us had to be there.”

Slow starts have been a recurring factor as Liverpool’s quest for four trophies has unravelled.

Everton thought they had a penalty in the opening minutes when Calvert-Lewin was tripped by Alisson Becker but VAR intervened to save the visitors as the striker was offside.

Alisson then clawed away a Calvert-Lewin header and Ben Godfrey nodded wide as Liverpool struggled to cope with Everton’s threat from set-pieces.

More comical defending from the Reds led to the opener on 27 minutes.

Alexis Mac Allister’s mishit fell perfectly for Branthwaite and the defender’s effort went in off the post despite Alisson’s best efforts.

Going behind woke Liverpool from their slumber and only a combination of wasteful finishing and Jordan Pickford preserved Everton’s lead until half-time.

Darwin Nunez blasted straight at the England number one when clean through before the Uruguayan teed up Luis Diaz to fire too close to Pickford.

Mohamed Salah’s loss of form has come at the worst possible time for Liverpool’s title challenge and the Egyptian sliced another good opening well over the bar.

Liverpool were camped in the Everton half after the break, yet the hosts pulled further clear just before the hour mark from another dead ball.

Calvert-Lewin was afforded a free header at the back post to power home Dwight McNeil’s corner.

Liverpool’s night was summed up when Diaz’s powerful effort came back off the post with Pickford finally beaten.

But it was Klopp who was crestfallen come the final whistle as he looks set to depart Anfield with just one Premier League title to his name.

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Jurgen Klopp warned his title-chasing Liverpool team that they will have to cope with “derby fever” as he prepares to face Everton for the final time on Wednesday.

Klopp’s men are second in the Premier League table, level on 74 points with Arsenal — who host Chelsea on Tuesday — and one clear of defending champions Manchester City.

Liverpool returned to winning ways at the weekend, beating Fulham 3-1 after a draw against Manchester United and a costly defeat at home to Crystal Palace.

“I don’t know when my first derby was but I always knew how important it was,” said Klopp. “Now I know it and I feel it. My understanding has developed over the years but they are always difficult games, especially there.”

He added: “Derby fever will be in minds so we have to be cool and that is an important part in preparing for the game.”

Everton have a respectable recent record against their city rivals at their own ground, losing only once there in the Premier League since 2016.

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Klopp, in his final season at Anfield, said he was happy with the way his team had responded after their recent setbacks, which included exits from the FA Cup and the Europa League.

“It was super-important to qualify for the Champions League,” he said. “That was clear to go for that. It looks good in that department but it is not 100 percent set yet.

“We are where we are and want to win all the games. You have to deal with all the little setbacks. I wouldn’t say it was straightforward but until two weeks ago it was better than people would have thought.

“It’s all about how you can get the right feeling back again. And I am really happy with the response.

“Let’s make the best of it. If we win the league then I will be ecstatic. And as long as there’s that chance we will give it a good try.”

The German also said Portugal international Diogo Jota would be out for about two weeks after picking up an injury at Fulham.

Everton’s relegation fears have been eased after two wins in their past three games.

They are now five points clear of the drop zone despite being docked a total of eight points this season for breaches of Premier League financial rules.

Everton boss Sean Dyche said he was looking forward to his first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

“I didn’t grow up here so I don’t have the depth of understanding (of the rivalry) but what I do understand is how important it is to be Everton’s manager in all games, but particularly this one for the obvious reasons,” he said.

Speaking about Klopp’s final derby, he added: “Aside from being Everton’s manager, massive respect for what he’s done here and his other clubs. It’s not easy to build things, and he’s done it at three clubs. Massive respect for that.”

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Liverpool were held to a damaging 2-2 draw by Manchester United as they handed the initiative to Arsenal in the Premier League title race, while Tottenham moved into fourth place with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side would have gone top with a victory against their bitter rivals at Old Trafford.

But despite taking the lead through Luis Diaz’s 23rd minute strike, Liverpool couldn’t deliver the knockout blow.

They wasted several chances to increase their advantage before Bruno Fernandes alertly pounced on Jarell Quansah’s wayward pass to score from just inside the Liverpool half in the 50th minute.

To Klopp’s visible fury, Kobbie Mainoo found space to net United’s second with an eye-catching curler in the 67th minute.

Liverpool avoided a repeat of their FA Cup quarter-final defeat at United earlier this season as Mohamed Salah equalised with an 84th minute penalty after Aaron Wan-Bissaka chopped down Harvey Elliott.

But it was still a frustrating final visit to Old Trafford for Klopp before his departure at the end of the season, with Liverpool stuck behind Arsenal, who hold a nine-goal advantage on goal difference.

Klopp’s team, who are one point ahead of third placed Manchester City, have seven games left to overhaul Arsenal as they chase a record-equalling 20th English title.

“We should have won the game, that is clear. We should have had other goals in the first half. We dropped too deep,” Klopp said.

“The whole Liverpool community just stay calm. We are where we are and we keep giving it a proper go.

“Do I wish we had 10 points difference? Of course. We are in the race and I’m absolutely fine with it.”

United boss Erik ten Hag added: “Very mixed emotions. We have to blame ourselves for making stupid mistakes.

“On the other side I’m very proud. You see how we are improving and the potential of this squad is amazing.”

At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the game went ahead despite a fatal stabbing just yards from the ground earlier on Sunday.

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Ange Postecoglou’s side took the lead thanks to an own goal from Forest defender Murillo in the 15th minute.

Timo Werner’s low cross into the six-yard box caused panic and Murillo’s stretching attempt to clear diverted the ball into his own net.

Chris Wood equalised in the 27th minute with a clinical strike from Anthony Elanga’s pass for his 12th league goal this season.

But Micky van de Ven bagged Tottenham’s second in the 52nd minute with a blistering strike from just inside the area.

And six minutes later Pedro Porro produced a powerful half-volley from 14 yards to put the result beyond doubt.

Tottenham are now above fifth placed Aston Villa on goal difference and also hold a game in hand in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top four finish.

“Everyone has been banging on about us getting fourth. We’re fourth now but it doesn’t stop, we’ll keep going. We’re in a good shape to finish the season strong,” Postecoglou said.

Fourth bottom Forest are outside the relegation zone by the slenderest of margins, above Luton only on goal difference.

In Sunday’ other game, Ole McBurnie’s last-gasp equaliser forced Chelsea to settle for a 2-2 draw at bottom of the table Sheffield United.

Fresh from scoring twice in the final seconds of stoppage-time to beat Manchester United on Thursday, Chelsea took the lead after 11 minutes as Thiago Silva finished off Conor Gallagher’s corner at the far post.

The Blades equalised in the 32nd minute as Gustavo Hamer’s pass sent Jayden Bogle through on goal and the right wing-back slotted home.

Noni Madueke put Chelsea back in front in the 66th minute, cutting in from the right to drive his shot into the far corner.

Yet mid-table Chelsea’s troubled season suffered another setback when McBurnie levelled with a close-range finish three minutes into stoppage-time.

“We feel really bad in the way we conceded. We need to be more clinical,” Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said.

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Jurgen Klopp has rejected suggestions that Liverpool rushed players back too soon after Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Dominik Szoboszlai all suffered setbacks after returning to action.

Alexander-Arnold will miss the League Cup final against Chelsea later this month because of a knee problem that recurred in last week’s win over Burnley for the Premier League leaders.

Thiago faces another spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury following an appearance as a late substitute in the defeat against Arsenal, while Szoboszlai has hurt his hamstring again.

“I got the news that there was a discussion we might have forced Trent back,” Liverpool manager Klopp said on Friday.

“He had two setbacks and it is really unfortunate, no one wants that.

“But different cases, different scenarios and as long as I’m here we never forced anyone back and we will never do.

“We work in a high-performance area and if you have the same injury you are fit after three days and another guy after four weeks.”

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Jurgen Klopp, whose team travel to Brentford on Saturday, said the players had been ready when they were passed fit to play.

“We can never know if it would have happened anyway or whether it was something before,” he added. “Very unlucky and unfortunate.

“It is not great but it says nothing about the quality of anyone. The world we are living in it is always immediately ‘Medical department? I’m not sure about that’ but it is nothing to do with that.

“We have to bring the boys as back as soon as possible but never sooner than they are ready from our point of view.”

In brighter news for Klopp, top scorer Mohamed Salah returned to training this week after a month out with a hamstring problem sustained on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.

“Mo is back in full training, that brings him automatically in contention of course,” said the Liverpool boss.

The German also welcomed the “really nice” announcement that former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will be part of the management team for a charity legends game against Ajax at Anfield next month.

Eriksson revealed in January he had “best case a year” to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The 76-year-old Swede disclosed at the time his lifelong love for Liverpool and how he had always wished to be manager of the club.

“I was always convinced that it will work out some way, and then this is now really nice,” said Klopp. “A legend coaches legends, so it’s really cool.”

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Jurgen Klopp is adamant Liverpool will be able to maintain their Premier League title charge despite the imminent loss of Mohamed Salah to African Cup of Nations duty.

Salah will leave to play for Egypt at the African Cup of Nations after Liverpool host Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday.

Liverpool sit two points clear of Arsenal at the top as they chase a first title since 2020.

They also take on Arsenal in the FA Cup third round and Fulham in the League Cup semi-finals in January, meaning Salah’s absence could not come at a worse time.

Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s top scorer with 16 goals this term and his absence in the Ivory Coast, for potentially over a month if Egypt go deep into the tournament, leaves Klopp with a major void to fill.

“It is not the first time, it is a really at least very average situation that you lose your goalscorer but we had it even worse in the past when Sadio (Mane) and Mo left,” Klopp told reporters on Friday.

“We came somehow through it and traditionally one of them went pretty far in the tournament, which made it worse.”

Jurgen Klopp will also be without Japan midfielder Wataru Endo while he plays at the Asia Cup at the same time as Salah departs.

“We knew the Africa Cup of Nations from time to time appears and Mo has to go and we have Endo as a participant of the Asia Cup as well, so it is like it is. We have to deal with it and we will,” Klopp said.

“Each long-term plan I could have had depends massively on who is available. We would have solutions today, I hope we have that after the Newcastle game as well.”

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The return of Diogo Jota after a month out injured is a boost as the Portugal international scored a comeback goal against Burnley on Boxing Day.

Jota’s versatility means he can operate across the forward line, as can Cody Gakpo, while Harvey Elliott has played in Mohamed Salah’s position even though he is more of a midfielder in Klopp’s system.

“The return of each of the boys is super-important but Diogo especially. Everybody was quite positive about our five options, but I don’t think we had it that often to be honest,” Klopp said.

“Especially with the amount of games we play it is so important these boys can rotate and now with Mo leaving and Endo leaving we need everyone to get back.”

However, Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson’s recovery from a dislocated shoulder is now likely to keep him out now for the whole of January.

The Scotland captain, sidelined since October, was expected to return next month.

“Robbo still needs more range in his shoulder. Obviously it was a big surgery, still not even close to team training or whatever,” Klopp said.

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Mohamed Salah scored his 200th goal for Liverpool before Harvey Elliott’s last-gasp winner sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace that sent the Reds to the top of the Premier League on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were in danger of a damaging defeat in the title race after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty put Palace ahead in the second half at Selhurst Park.

But Palace’s Jordan Ayew was sent off with 15 minutes left and Liverpool took full advantage to erase a previously spluttering performance with a blistering finale.

Salah’s 14th goal this term made him the fifth player to score 200 for Liverpool in all competitions after Ian Rush (346), Roger Hunt (285), Gordon Hodgson (241) and Billy Liddell (228).

In his 247th Premier League appearance, the Egypt star also reached 150 goals in the competition, including two scored for Chelsea, putting him in the all-time top-10 list level alongside Michael Owen.

Despite Salah’s landmark, a point would have been a disappointing result for Liverpool, but young midfielder Elliott came off the bench to seal the points in stoppage time.

Liverpool’s third successive league win moved them one point above second-placed Arsenal ahead of the Gunners’ trip to third-placed Aston Villa later on Saturday.

With home games against Manchester United and Arsenal looming before Christmas, the Reds have a golden opportunity to cement their title credentials heading into the new year.

Klopp had called a television presenter “ignorant” for joking that the 1230 GMT Saturday kick-off was the German’s “favourite” time to play.

The Reds boss has made a habit of complaining about the schedule whenever Liverpool have a match in the early Saturday slot after playing the previous Wednesday.

Initially, it seemed Klopp’s dislike for the kick-off time would be renewed as Liverpool struggled to find any rhythm in wet and windy conditions in south London.

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Liverpool were fortunate not to fall behind when Jefferson Lerma’s close-range effort forced a superb save from Alisson Becker, with the rebound hitting the post before it was hacked off the line by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Palace were awarded a penalty when Odsonne Edouard was bundled over Virgil van Dijk, but Will Hughes had fouled Wataru Endo before passing to the forward.

Referee Andy Madley was told to consult the pitchside monitor and overturned his penalty decision.

For the first time in the league this season, Klopp’s side failed to muster a single shot on target in a dismal first-half display that ended fittingly with Alexander-Arnold misplacing a simple pass.

Palace deservedly took the lead in the 57th minute as Jarell Quansah’s challenge on Mateta was deemed worthy of a penalty after Madley checked the monitor.

To Klopp’s bewilderment, VAR only intervened to prompt the decision several moments after the foul.

Liverpool were furious but Mateta was unfazed, barely taking a run-up as he dispatched the spot-kick past Alisson with ease.

But luck was on Liverpool’s side as Palace forward Ayew was dismissed for a soft second booking in the 75th minute and within 60 seconds the visitors were level.

If the sending-off had an element of good fortune for Liverpool, there was more to come as Cody Gakpo’s cross was only cleared to Salah, whose shot from 10 yards took a wicked deflection as it flashed past wrong-footed keeper Sam Johnstone.

Liverpool finally had some momentum and their late siege produced a winner in the first minute of stoppage time.

Elliott took possession 30 yards from goal and swerved away from his marker before unleashing a superb strike that beat Palace substitute keeper Remi Matthews at his near post.

In the final seconds, Alisson had to save from Joachim Andersen to preserve Liverpool’s hard-fought success.

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