Liverpool showed exactly why they are the only unbeaten team this year after a come from behind win over their opponents Crystal Palace in the last 16 of the FA Cup tie yesterday.
The Reds hadn’t won in their last six visits to Selhurst Park and despite playing well in the opening few minutes, they were behind in the 15th minute after Fraizer Campbell put the home side in the lead. The goal only made Liverpool more determined to score as they went in search for an equalizer and dominated the game but had to wait until the second half to score.
Daniel Sturridge found the back of the net in the 49th minute via a Jordan Henderson cross. From then on, Liverpool looked like a side who wanted to get rid of their past failings at Selhurst Park and they finally did when Mario Balotelli’s free kick rebounded of Palace’s goalie Speroni and was buried by Adam Lallana. Liverpool held on for the win.
Manager Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the result as well as the partnership of Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli, a We started the game not as aggressively as we wanted. Once we shortened the pitch in the second half and moved them higher up the field, we kept the ball and it was just going to be a matter of time.
a I thought we were outstanding, after the first goal Palace scored I thought the team were very, very good after that.
a It’s certainly a different feeling to when we were here before, and you can see the confidence and composure in the team.
a For us to get the victory like we did, we created a lot of chances, it was very pleasing a importantly we defended well when we had to, from different angles, set-pieces, corners a so huge credit to the players. We’ve had a great week in terms of results.a
a The players showed great composure and character in the second half,a added Rodgers,
a Our composure was very good, the pitch was a bit difficult, but our positioning was good a we played through the pressure, especially after we got the equaliser.
a The two goals were good goals in different ways.
On the partnership of Balotelli and Sturridge up front, he said, a It depends how we play. Earlier in the season, we played a diamond and those two played together and did very well.
a We shifted the system from the last time we were here but certainly when the two are up there they’re a threat. They’re both talented players and can function in either system.
a Mario is training well now, he’s starting to really work and focus on his job with the team. He come in and did very well today, it was a terrific strike to force the goalkeeper make the save.a