---
title: "Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Statistical Preview"
canonical: "https://readcrystalpalace.com/2014/11/27/statistical-preview-crystal-palace-vs-liverpool/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Tav Sanassee"
section: "Match Day"
published: "2014-11-27T22:28:07Z"
modified: "2026-07-17T08:10:23Z"
---

# Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Statistical Preview

It was the last home game of the season for Crystal Palace and Liverpool were the visitors to Selhurst Park; Brendan Rodgers’ men required a win and a substantial one at that to claw back a goal difference advantage from Manchester City in the title race and after being 3-0 up after 55 minutes, it was going to be a tight final game of the season but Crystal Palace also wanted to end their first season back in the Premier League in style and continue their exciting end-of-the-season run.

The Eagles clawed back Liverpool from 3 goals down to level in ten minutes and not just any ten minutes, the final ten minutes of the game. Damien Delaney made up for an own goal he scored earlier on in the game by scoring an exquisite shot from outside of the box and Dwight Gayle scored the other two goals that were created by memorable assists.

It’s now November 2014, Crystal Palace are still in the Premier League and that end-of-season form didn’t continue into the current; after Tony Pulis resigned just days before the start of the season and Neil Warnock’s return to Selhurst Park, things were never going to be the same.

Crystal Palace are on what can only be described as a poor run, not even the best Christmas wrapping could cover up what is going on, on the pitch for Neil Warnock’s side; the Eagles have picked up only one point from a possible 15 since the start of October and are sitting just outside of the relegation zone on goal difference whilst also being two points from the bottom of the table where coincidentally was where Crystal Palace were at this point last season.

**Last Time Out: Crystal Palace 3 – 3 Liverpool**

The action on goal from both sides throughout the game was consistent with the way the approached their attacking style of football throughout the season; Liverpool had a successful season in-front of goal, amassing a total of 101 Premier League goals of which were only beaten by Manchester City who scored one more than their title chasing rivals whereas Crystal Palace mainly used their counter-attacking abilities and defensive minded approach to have less shots on goal but attempt to make the most of their opportunities.

As a result of that approach by Crystal Palace, they managed to play more games in the Premier League last season than the goals they scored; picking up a tally of 33 goals, scoring an average of 0.87 goals per game but for Tony Pulis’ men, the game against Liverpool was one of FIVE times they scored more than three goals in the Premier League in 2013/2014.

[![Squwaka](https://readeverything.co/readcrystalpalace/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2014/11/PalaceLiverpool1314GoalAction.png)](https://readeverything.co/readcrystalpalace/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2014/11/PalaceLiverpool1314GoalAction.png)

Crystal Palace were praised for their defensive showing under Tony Pulis after his appointment and the praise was statistically worthy as from 23rd November 2013 and the end of the season, the Eagles’ had conceded the 3rd lowest amount of goals (27) in the Premier League, only being pinched to the lowest by Cheslsea (17) and Manchester City (25).

In the game against Liverpool, one of the key showings for Crystal Palace was the interceptions they had made throughout the game compared to the visitors; the Eagles (from left to right in the red) picked up the majority of their interceptions from the back of midfield and in defence whereas Liverpool picked up their fewer interceptions higher up the pitch compared to Palace. Tony Pulis’ men picked up 18 interceptions on the night, whereas the Scousers tallied up 11.

[![PalaceLiverpool1314Interceptions](https://readeverything.co/readcrystalpalace/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2014/11/PalaceLiverpool1314Interceptions.png)](https://readeverything.co/readcrystalpalace/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2014/11/PalaceLiverpool1314Interceptions.png)

Overall, Crystal Palace made the most of their chances against Liverpool and after a strong first-half showing, deserved a well earned fight back against what ended up being a distraught night for Brendan Rodgers’ side by the end of the ordeal.

**A Statistical Preview: Is Mile Jedinak the new Steven Gerrard?**

One of the recent talking points in the build up to the game is about the two skippers. In simple layman’s terms, Steven Gerrard isn’t the same player he used to be; his statistical showings have somewhat dipped since last season, leading to the [Metro](https://metro.co.uk/2014/11/20/stats-show-crystal-palace-man-mile-jedinak-is-premier-leagues-best-midfielder-5th-best-in-europe-4955844/) asking the question “Is Jedinak the most underrated Premier League player?” – in this preview, I have look at the two and see where all of this is going.

In the graphic that has gone viral since it’s creation on 19th November, Steven Gerrard has been slated to bits (he hasn’t really), with questions being raised over his performance and whether he has passed his best. First of all, what does the graphic say Mile Jedinak is suppressing in compared to Gerrard?

1\. Jedinak has scored one more goal than the Liverpool captain (3 – 2)\
2\. Jedinak has won more tackles on average per game (3.6 – 1.4)\
3\. Jedinak has achieved more interceptions per game (3.8 – 0.7)\
4\. Jedinak has won more duels per game (9.8 – 3.2)\
5\. Jedinak’s Opta Premier League Midfielder ranking is higher than Gerrard’s (2nd – 21st)

The main problem that is being described as the reason behind Gerrard’s performances this season, is that opponents are defending higher up the pitch compared to where they were last season due to the Reds’ loss of Luis Suarez in the summer; this can be proved with statistics provided by Opta as Chelsea’s line was eight meters higher this season which helped them towards three points alongside Newcastle’s 3 meters and West Ham’s 5 meter possession winning-line.

Crystal Palace should look to take advantage of this problem this weekend, if they want to end their slide down the Premier League table.

Steven Gerrard is not the only player to be scrutinised within the pair, as Palace fans voice their disappointment at Jedinak’s passing game on a weekly basis and if we compare the two on their passing, Gerrard steals the show. The Liverpool captain has put together 659 passes (256 more than Jediank) of which 575 were completed (295 more than Jedinak), Gerrard has also created more chances for his team-mates with 25 chances compared to Jediank’s three.

My conclusion without going into so much more detail is that Jedinak is the type of midfielder you want in a counter-attacking system, as his defensive skills help to create a first line of defence, in-front of the back line – which did work against Liverpool last time out, with a number of defensive errors, that came to the cost of goals being conceded.

Gerrard has a decent pass on him but I’d prefer to have Jedinak beefing up my defence any day of the week.

Is Jedinak the new Gerrard? Not quite.

Could he be the Australian Gerrard? If you insist.

**What Are The Stats, Stats Man?**

Crystal Palace have won 10, drawn 11 and lost 21 games against Liverpool in all competitions.\
*Liverpool have picked up five wins against Crystal Palace in the league at Selhurst Park whilst losing four and drawing five.*\
The Eagles have scored 13 goals against the Reds at Selhurst Park whilst conceding 22 in the league.\
*Neil Warnock’s side haven’t won in five Premier League matches; drawing one and losing four.*\
Liverpool have won only two of their last eight Premier League matches; winning two, drawing two and losing four.\
*Dwight Gayle scored in both games against Liverpool for Crystal Palace last season, scoring three goals.*\
Brendan Rodgers’ side have had three beneficial own goals this season, making those own goals the joint-top source of goals scored this season with Raheem Sterling who has scored three goals.\
*Crystal Palace have scored the highest proportion of goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season with 57%.*\
In their last nine Premier League matches away from home, Liverpool have conceded 18 goals and kept only one clean sheet.