Three positives from Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace

Clyne-Ibe partnership

While a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace was frustrating for Liverpool supporters, particularly considering the Eagles’s recent success over the Reds (three wins in the last four meetings in all competitions), the blossoming partnership between Nathaniel Clyne and Jordon Ibe certainly offered some reason for optimism in an otherwise disappointing performance. The England Under-21 international is refreshingly direct on the right wing, which is an attribute some of his fellow attacking midfielders/forwards (namely Phillipe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana) lack. It is no coincidence that Nathaniel Clyne stood out for the hosts in one of his best performances yet. Ibe created space for Clyne down the right with his unpredictable runs which see him dart in-field or slalom down the line. Jamie Carragher was quick to criticise the lack of width in the Liverpool side following a 1-1 stalemate with Southampton in October. But the Clyne-Ibe partnership could offer a cheap solution to that problem on the right side.

Coutinho on the score sheet

Speaking to Raphael Honigstein earlier this month, the BT Sport pundit backed Jurgen Klopp to get more out of Coutinho – and crucially, inspire a greater consistency from the Brazilian playmaker. It was encouraging, then, that Coutinho managed to get on the score sheet in successive weeks. Presumably brimming with confidence after his impressive brace in a 3-1 win at Chelsea, Coutinho drove his equaliser past Wayne Hennessey just before half-time at Anfield to take his tally to four Premier League goals this season. The 23-year-old could have made it back-to-back braces but the Crystal Palace goalkeeper expertly tipped the midfielder’s powerful attempt over the crossbar in the second half. From a selfish point of view, Coutinho’s Brazilian snub for their upcoming game against Argentina on 12 November can only be a positive for the Reds, particularly in light of their injury problems.

The international break

While a first defeat in seven games under Klopp left a bad taste in the mouth heading into the international break, a 12-day rest (from domestic football) ahead of their trip to Manchester City is a good thing. The 48-year-old former Borussia Dortmund manager has been limited in time spent on the training ground since taking over the reins from Brendan Rodgers. A run of seven games in 23 days can’t have been productive in terms of Klopp methodically implementing his ideas and philosophy on the training ground. Although some of his big-name stars will be on international duty, Klopp will get the chance to be more thorough with the other members of his squad.

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