Liverpool fans fume after they fail to keep a clean sheet at Anfield for the ninth successive league game – with Eberechi Eze’s early goal for Crystal Palace ensuring the Reds equal their record run without a home clean sheet

Liverpool have failed to keep a clean sheet at Anfield again as they conceded for the ninth successive home league game. 

The Reds are facing Crystal Palace in a crunch clash as they battle for the Premier League title.

However, the game got off to the worst possible start for Jurgen Klopp‘s side as Eberechi Eze slotted home unmarked after just 14 minutes.

This means Liverpool are on their joint-longest run at home without a clean sheet in the competition, level with a nine-game stretch in both December 1996 and May 1999. 

In fact, the Reds have failed to keep a clean sheet in their past nine games in all competitions, and their defensive frailties are threatening to ruin their hopes of giving Klopp the perfect farewell. 

Eberechi Eze’s 14th-minute goal put Crystal Palace ahead after awful defending from the Reds

Liverpool’s defensive deficiencies are threatening to derail Jurgen Klopp’s final season

And Reds supporters were left fuming at their dreadful defensive record, which comes after they were also hammered 3-0 by Atalanta at Anfield on Thursday, while rivals fans mocked Klopp’s side. 

One said: ‘Liverpool play a game without conceding challenge. Mission impossible.’

Another added: ‘Can never be my club. Anfield ain’t resounding no more,’ before a further fan quipped: ‘Klopp’s disbelieving “wow” says everything about that. Crazy defending from Liverpool.’

Another fan went on to say: ‘Genuinely so sick and tired of Liverpool starting slowly and conceding first,’ before a further frustrated supporter expressed their exasperation at Liverpool’s record as they simply said: ‘Absolutely not surprised in the slightest.’ 

One final angered supporter said: ‘Liverpool running out of steam.’

The Reds have kept just three clean sheets in their past 19 games in all competitions, which comes at a time when title rivals Arsenal have conceded just once in five matches.

Speaking pre-game on Sky Sports, Paul Merson and Jamie Redknapp had highlighted Liverpool’s defensive deficiencies and insisted Klopp needed to sort this out if his side are to compete with Man City and Arsenal.

‘Liverpool have got to start well,’ Merson said. ‘They keep on conceding goals. You need clean sheets to win titles in my opinion.

‘Arsenal haven’t been behind since the turn of the year. City just keep on playing, they have so much belief in their ability.’

Liverpool fans expressed their frustration at their record, while rivals supporters mocked them

Redknapp added: ‘Arteta’s got four centre-backs at the back. It seems to have stabilised the team. They didn’t expect what happened last season. This year Arteta knows they’re ready. 

‘I remember the pressure, sometimes the crowd get a bit anxious. If Liverpool win that puts a bit more pressure on Arsenal. Can Liverpool get three points today?’

‘(They’ve now conceded first) 23 times in all competitions, it’s incredible,’ he quipped at half-time.

‘It’s not sustainable, you can’t keep doing that. Palace have been so good. Eze just finds himself in so much space.’