Manager who Pep called ‘one of the best’ now in pole position for Crystal Palace job
Crystal Palace finally ended their league scoring drought, but Eddie Nketiah’s penalty arrived with Liverpool already out of reach.
Palace hit bottom despite signs of life against Liverpool
Sunday’s 3-1 loss at Selhurst Park left the Eagles bottom and gave Pierre Sage another result to explain before the international break.
There had been genuine encouragement earlier, with Yeremy Pino rattling the crossbar, and Alisson was forced to deny both Daichi Kamada and Adam Wharton as Palace threatened to take control.
Instead, a lapse at a set piece swung the afternoon Liverpool’s way.
|
Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Total |
Crystal Palace |
Liverpool |
|
Possession |
53.1% |
46.9% |
|
Expected goals (xG) |
2.38 |
2.65 |
|
Total shots |
19 |
20 |
|
Shots on target |
7 |
8 |
|
Big chances missed |
4 |
3 |
|
Corners |
4 |
7 |
|
Goalkeeper saves |
5 |
6 |
|
Pass accuracy |
80% |
77.9% |
|
Fouls committed |
10 |
18 |
|
Offsides |
3 |
0 |
|
Yellow cards |
2 |
4 |
|
Red cards |
0 |
0 |
Alexis Mac Allister escaped Quinten Timber to head home Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick after 40 minutes. Liverpool then punished Palace on the counter, with Bradley Barcola supplying Florian Wirtz for the second goal soon after half-time.
Alexander Isak made the scoreline uglier in the 89th minute.
Nketiah eventually replied from the spot after Milos Kerkez’s challenge on Dario Osorio, but Palace’s opportunity to take anything had long disappeared.
The hosts registered seven efforts on target and still finished empty-handed, but what remains is a fourth consecutive league defeat.
Sage has performances to discuss, but Palace need points, and speculation about the next man in the dugout will intensify.
Frank favourite for Palace job as Dyche remains in contention
Palace could now revisit a managerial option which failed to materialise during the summer.
Alan Nixon’s latest update claims Thomas Frank has emerged as a leading contender to take over if Sage is removed. Crucially, Nixon says Frank is receptive to the prospect of managing Palace, having rejected their interest before the campaign began.
Sean Dyche also remains under consideration, giving the Eagles another experienced Premier League coach to assess as they weigh their next move.
Football Insider also reported last week that initial conversations had taken place between Palace and the Dane.
That report described discussions around a managerial change while Sage was preparing for the Hoffenheim and Liverpool fixtures.
Frank has been available since Tottenham dismissed him in February, and his spell at Brentford remains the strongest part of his managerial CV.
He joined the Bees as an assistant in 2016, became head coach two years later and won promotion in 2021, and four impressive Premier League campaigns followed before Tottenham recruited him.
Ex-Man City boss Pep Guardiola also famously branded Frank as ‘one of the best’ managers in the league at one point.
Missing forwards complicate Palace’s next decision
Palace’s decision needs to account for the players available as well as the names on the shortlist.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was suspended against Liverpool, while Ismaïla Sarr remained injured, and those absences removed two key attacking stars.
The immediate challenge would include finding the best combination of Jorgen Strand Larsen, Nketiah and Pino until the missing forwards return.
Palace are also balancing domestic fixtures with Europa League football, so the task for any incoming boss will be managing that workload for the players whilst trying to resurrect belief around the club,
There are still 28 league games available, so the situation leaves room for a recovery, but whether they retain Sage, or appoint Frank or Dyche, the club need a manager who can make the existing squad more effective immediately.
