It was around 10pm on Saturday that James Milner emerged from the away dressing room at Selhurst Park and spoke to the journalists gathered underneath the Holmesdale Road Stand. His words were as cold as the south London air. “We have to be better, simple as that,” said the 37-year-old. “We take responsibility, there is no excuses about it.”
Trust Milner to front up, but really what else could he say after Liverpool’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace, a game in which Jürgen Klopp’s men once again delivered a display bereft of confidence, cohesion, intensity or intent. It was a recovery of sorts following the midweek humbling by Real Madrid but not by much, and from Liverpool’s most experienced player came the clear message that the team has to stop feeling sorry for themselves if they are to glean anything from a season that promised so much but continues to be incredibly trying.
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“With where we are at the moment, with things not going our way, it’s probably hitting us harder than it should and that’s something we can deal with better,” said Milner. “On the field we have to be better. If the pass doesn’t come off, don’t shy away from it next time. Go again. Or if you hit the woodwork, don’t get too disappointed.
“Everything feels a lot more difficult when things aren’t going your way. That’s human nature and how the brain works when you’re in a tough run and a tough season. But we have to rally, stick together and keep working hard.”
There was the required effort and commitment to the cause among Liverpool’s players to secure a third Premier League clean sheet in a row, something Klopp and Milner both picked out as a positive in light of the team’s recent defensive displays, but it was hardly the most emphatic of achievements given how close the visitors came to conceding. Individual errors were again at the centre of their frailties, with no one more guilty than Trent Alexander-Arnold. On 13 minutes, the right-back delivered an aimless pass across his area that should have been punished by Jean-Philippe Mateta and then, four minutes before half-time, he was easily bullied out of possession by Jeffrey Schlupp, with poor finishing by Mateta again the only reason Liverpool did not find themselves behind.
There were other incidents of defensive slapdash by Alexander-Arnold and it came as no surprise to see him replaced by Fabinho on 71 minutes. Klopp insisted the change had nothing to with the Alexander-Arnold’s shortcomings but he was kidding no one and overall this was another display by the 24-year-old that supports the belief he retains too many fundamental weaknesses in his game, namely awareness and concentration, to prove a long-term success in Liverpool’s backline.
In fairness to Alexander-Arnold, he was far from the only Liverpool player who was off colour on Saturday. Joël Matip was just as shaky defensively while further forward the visitors offered little thrust and ambition in the absence of the injured Darwin Núñez, with Mohamed Salah’s 49th-minute curling shot that hit the bar the best of their few efforts on goal. The midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Naby Keïta and Milner, meanwhile, was about as dynamic and creative as most people predicted it would be when the teams were announced.
If there was one positive for Liverpool it was the performance of Virgil van Dijk, the Dutchman showing a level of authority and assurance that has often been lacking from him this season, with injuries and fatigue having hardly helped matters. “I try to play as high a level as I can and I set high standards. People try to hold me to that, so that’s what I try to do, not only for those people but for the club,” he said. “Coming back from a big injury and then being out for six weeks is tough so playing four games for 90 minutes is something I’m proud of and have worked hard for.”
From Van Dijk, too, there came a rallying call, with the 31-year-old calling on Liverpool to “fight together” for Champions League qualification, the only realistic goal in their sights now this campaign. “We are, in the last four or five years, spoilt, winning all the trophies that were available, so to have this bumpy season is a shock for everyone,” he said. “We need each other, that’s what it’s all about. Everyone was there when we won and everyone needs to be there now.”
