1. Neil Warnock’s gamble paid off
Warnock revealed just before the match that he had to include Yannick Bolasie in his starting XI despite possible fatigue from the international duty because the Congolese is on a high. Bolasie returned to Palace on Thursday after his brace helped DR Congo qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and Warnock was spot on with his decision as Bolasie was the man-of-the-match.
2. Liverpool needed Alberto Moreno when they attacked
Liverpool struggled to create good chances through the middle but they could have been a better force offensively if Moreno started the game at left-back instead of Glen Johnson.
Brendan Rodgers obviously had good reasons to start with a right-back at left-back while dropping a natural left-back, but Johnson offered Liverpool very little going forward.
Since Liverpool were struggling to impose their gameplan, they could have at least created more chances from the width that Moreno provides on the left considering that Palace defended with a compact shape.
3. Palace are a different side when Bolasie is in good form
The Eagles played with the same intensity they had in their last home game against Sunderland but they lost that previous contest 3-1. The main difference between that defeat and this triumph is Bolasie’s performance. Bolasie was ineffective against Sunderland, his crosses were inaccurate and Warnock’s side finished the game with nothing.
In this game, his blistering pace and extravagant skills struck terror into Javi Manquillo, who had little protection from his teammates. Warnock was totally justified in claiming that they would have beaten any side with the way they performed.
4. Rodgers is feeling the heat now
“I’m not arrogant enough to think that I will be in a job through anything,” said Rodgers after witnessing his side lose to a team that started the game in the bottom-three. The Reds boss is clearly trying to get more from his side by tinkering with his formation and personnel but he knows the main problem in his side is a dip in confidence.
Until Liverpool string together a couple of good results to boost their confidence, Rodgers’ job will increasingly be under threat.
5. The next challenge for Warnock is to get more from the right flank
Crystal Palace may be conceding more goals from set-pieces this season than they did under Tony Pulis but they are still quite solid in open play and they still work hard off the ball. One of the major reasons they are not hitting the heights of last season is Jason Puncheon’s dip in performance levels.
At the end of last season, Palace had two wingers in blistering form but now they are not lacking threat they had from the right side. Wilfried Zaha and Puncheon are talented enough to replicate Bolasie’s form on the other flank so if Warnock can get the best out of one of those right wingers then Palace could regain the form they had last season.
