Glasner hails his 'fantastic' players as Eagles take flight with special win at Liverpool

Liverpool 0 Crystal Palace 1

Was this the day the Eagles took flight under Oliver Glasner?

The Crystal Palace manager hailed his "fantastic" Crystal Palace team, who came of age during his still-embryonic management with a superb 1-0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield.

A 14th minute goal from Ebere Eze was enough to seal all three points to take the south Londoners eight points away from the relegation zone to all but ensure the club's Premier League safety. Winger Eze's strike also dealt a not insignificant blow to Liverpool's title hopes under spring sunshine on Merseyside.

Palace were outstanding on the day, where they secured their first win on the road since November. And the zest which they supplied, in addition to ultra-resilience when answering increasingly desperate questioning from Jurgen Klopp's men, is testimony to Glasner's work since replacing Roy Hodgson in February.

Famous

More intense training sessions at greater pace and a sense of enjoyment among the squad under the former Eintracht Frankfurt coach has culminated in what will surely go down as a famous victory at one of football's great citadels.

Glasner's players ended a run of five games without a win. The manner of this triumph of organisation, spirit and counter attacking potency augurs well for an intriguing era for the Eagles under their Austrian boss.

Palace keeper Dean Henderson was pivotal for the visitors, making fine stops at nervous moments when it appeared Liverpool would level and possibly turn the course of the afternoon's events. Yet Eze's simple finish from Tyrick Mitchell's low cross from the left, after a well worked move which unsettled Liverpool, helped clinch the points for a delighted and animated Glasner.

Indeed, Palace could have been two goals ahead at the break but for a dramatic intervention by Reds defender Andy Robertson who cleared an effort by the foraging Jean-Philppe Mateta off the goal line.

Confidence

Saves by Henderson from Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez in particular helped the Eagles grow in confidence. Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne blocked a net bound effort from Reds' substitute Diogo Jota too, amid stuttering surges from the hosts in the second half. All helped to protect the Londoners' advantage.

Liverpool's afternoon of sheer disappointment was encapsulated by Conor Bradley being carried off at the start of the second half with an injury, which is sure to concern Klopp. Two successive, shock losses at home - the first in midweek for the Reds against Atalanta - has potentially unravelled their bid for the Premier League title and the Europa League.

However, this was Palace's deserved moment to savour.

"It is a fantastic win and congrats to the team for the performance," declared Glasner.

"In the first half we played with confidence and created chances,. We were compact and showed passion and spirit under pressure. A fantastic goalkeeper today was Dean.

"You always have to defend and attack well. We showed confidence in possession. We have a lot of work to do to keep this intensity over 95 minutes and release us from the pressure."

Glasner suggested that his focus was not on what Liverpool were capable of but rather, Palace's players need to demonstrate what they can do when tasked away from home.

Pressure

He said: "It doesn't depend on Liverpool (winning at Anfield), it depends on us. It is what we tell the players - we play our way and express ourselves. It is okay to show who we are and how we want to play. The pressure was so high from Liverpool but we defended well.

"We always support each other in possession and transition - I could feel it from the first second today."

Glasner emphasised the need to remain grounded, despite the impact of a special victory at Anfield.

"It is more important for the team, for the club and for us as a group," insisted the Palace boss.

"It's important to feel humble and know what we have to do for it (a win). Premier League games are hard work and of course I am happy. I want to win every game and its something special to win here.

"We looked at our results yesterday but I know we will get our points when we perform well. We know our strengths and what we have to improve."