Crystal Palace continued their dismal start to the season, falling to a 1-0 defeat against table toppers Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

While there were some improvements, positive signs and good ideas, Palace’s execution was distorted. 

Oliver Glasner’s side thought they had taken the lead after 25 seconds, Daniel Munoz found Ismaila Sarr on the right, the former Watford attacker delivered a driven cross to Eddie Nketiah, but the centre-forward strayed offside before slotting it past Alisson.

Palace’s start pointed to a potentially exciting performance, albeit Liverpool had other ideas, asserting their dominance from that moment on. 

It took just nine minutes for Diogo Jota to put the Reds ahead. The hosts were cut open by a Kostas Tsimikas pass beyond the backline, it was far too easy, Palace were played around like cones. Cody Gakpo received the ball on the left and drilled it across the box, Trevoh Chalobah lost Jota - Dean Henderson was helpless.

(Image: PA) Liverpool largely controlled the first half and should have been out of sight. Palace had a brief flurry before the break, Sarr went close but Alisson produced a solid save.

Attempting to find a way back into the game, Palace pushed for a leveller in the second half. The performance improved and Glasner’s side caused problems for Liverpool. 

Eberechi Eze missed big chances to claw Palace level - a symptom of his season. Marc Guehi should have been awarded a penalty after Virgil Van Dijk dragged him down in the box - Simon Hooper waved the claims away, while VAR backed him up. 

Falling to their fourth defeat of the season, there were some positives to take for Palace. The Eagles had a clearer route to goal, and the play, albeit inconsistent, was more cohesive. Particularly in the second half, Palace competed well against a side in the upper echelons in the Premier League, which Glasner believes gives his side something to “build on”. 

The positives, however, do not change the fact that Palace head into the international break winless in seven, confirming their worst start to a Premier League campaign since the beginning of the 2017-18 season under Frank de Boer and Roy Hodgson.

Player Ratings

Dean Henderson - 7/10 

Pulled off decent saves when tested. Didn't have loads to do with Liverpool limited to just four shots on target. Made a superb stop with his feet. Couldn't have done anything about the goal.

Tyrick Mitchell (subbed 60min) - 5/10 

Defensively good and kept Mohammed Salah very quiet. However, his attacking output is far too limited. Mitchell refused to take a player on and in a system reliant on wing-backs, Palace's threat on the left-hand side was restricted. 

Perhaps the best example came in the first half when Jefferson Lerma took it upon himself to fill the void on the left. He took Trent Alexander-Arnold on, beat the man and carved a chance for his side. 

The Eagles often miss that threat, their play is far too predictable with Mitchell regularly hitting a half-hearted cross out of panic. 

Palace must invest in an attacking left-wing-back if they're to make a success of the system. 

Trevoh Chalobah (subbed 88min) - 6/10

Had a blip in the build-up to Liverpool's goal, allowing Jota to get across him. Mistake aside, a promising debut for the Chelsea loanee. He defended relatively well, made clever recoveries and was strong in a tackle. Misplaced just two passes. Solidified the back three - which is currently Palace's strongest element. Will be important as the season heats up.  

Marc Guehi - 6.5/10

A typical Guehi performance: composed and defensively intelligent. Almost always came out on top in his duels while making eleven clearances and four recoveries.

Maxence Lacroix - 6.5/10

Very good showing. Tried to get his side forward and remained a strong defensive presence. Played an excellent ball in behind the Liverpool backline just before half time to gift Sarr a golden opportunity. 

18 successful defensive actions and was dribbled past just once. The defender is settling into life in South London well, a shrewd addition. 

Daniel Munoz (subbed 17min) - N/A

Poor positioning in the build-up Liverpool's opener, completely misread play and allowed Cody Gakpo to roam in behind. 

Suffered a hip injury in the 17th minute. Set for scans tomorrow. Will be a big loss for Palace if the injury is long-term. With Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne as his understudies, a return to a back four might suit the right-hand side. 

Jefferson Lerma - 7.5/10

Best player on the pitch for Glasner's side. Defensively astute. Stopped Palace from being completely overrun in the middle of the park while denying Liverpool rapid breaks time and time again. The Colombian was everywhere - making ten recoveries. Set the example to his teammates and deserves to start in midfield more often. 

(Image: PA)

Adam Wharton (subbed 60min) - 5/10 

Well, if vision was all you needed to be a ten out of ten every week, then Wharton would be. He reads the game exceptionally well, but it is beyond visible that he is playing at 60%. 

The Englishman is struggling with his fitness, and his performances are suffering because of it. His passes have a lack of tuning and he isn't as mobile in midfield - failing to win tackles and duels. 

Wharton needs time to rest and recover. He should not be starting. 

Eberechi Eze - 5.5/10

Another day, another huge chance squandered. Palace's chances have mainly fallen to Eze this season, yet - besides Chelsea away - the forward has failed to take advantage of the opportunities. 

Today was no different with Eze wasting two gigantic openings. The first saw the attacker hammer a volley straight at Alisson - he should have made it harder for the keeper.

However, the second was the perfect chance to draw Palace level. The Eagles countered well, Mateta slotted Eze through, the Englishman was one-on-one with Liverpool substitute keeper Vítězslav Jaroš, it was the ultimate opening, but his effort was unconvincing, allowing Jaros to make a comfortable save. 

The lack of quality from Palace's talisman at the moment pretty much sums up the Eagles' season. 

Ismaila Sarr - 6/10

Showed flashes. Had a great opening towards the end of the first half to bring Palace level. The attacker found himself free in the box, Lacroix played him through, but he could not beat Allison, who produced an exemplary save. 

Covered at right-wing-back when Glasner called in the calvary as Palace pushed for a point which was ineffective. 

There are reasons to be optimistic, he's Palace's most natural fit on the right. Sarr needs to be afforded more starts to build his confidence - the dividends will come.

Eddie Nketiah - 5.5/10

Had a half chance but didn't impact the game enough. Failed to involve himself in play - possessing just 25 touches of the ball (the least of any outfield player to complete 90 minutes). 

He must improve if he is to be Palace's lone striker. 

(Image: PA)

Substitutes

Nathaniel Clyne (17min for Munoz) - 6/10 

Performed well defensively but ceased to replace the loss of Munoz's attacking output. 

Will Hughes (60min for Wharton) - 7/10

Won a lot of ball. Was much more active than Wharton in the middle of the park. Made an effective partner for Lerma. Received a yellow card, but is it a Will Hughes performance without one?

Jean-Philippe Mateta (60min for Mitchell) - 6.5/10

Was much fresher from the bench and helped Palace weather the storm. Put a chance on a plate for Eze. Made a difference. 

Daichi Kamada (88min for Chalobah) - N/A

Difficult to judge because he only spent eight minutes on the pitch, albeit he managed to give possession away three times in that short space of time.