Glasner has no qualms with contentious Munoz goal as Palace beaten by Liverpool

Oliver Glasner had no qualms with the manner of Daniel Munoz's goal in Crystal Palace's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Trailing 2-0 to first-half goals from Alexander Isak and Andrew Robertson, Munoz lifted into an unguarded goal in the 71st minute when Reds goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was down hurt after making a one-on-one save from Ismaila Sarr.

The goal was allowed to stand as Woodman was not down due to a head injury, with Munoz jeered regularly by the home crowd – who were cheering once more when Florian Wirtz settled the game in second-half injury time.

Asked about the incident by Sky Sports, Glasner said: "It was a difficult situation because he made a big save but the ball goes to Munoz. Everything goes so quickly. 

"He could continue the game until the end and that's why we think it was the right decision. I think that is was okay.

"When you watch it on TV, it's on the edge, to be honest. He makes the save, then tries to get up then he raises his arm but Munoz is already taking the finish. If he hits his head then the game has to be stopped. It was the right decision I think."

Palace had more shots (13 to nine) and shots on target (seven to three) than Liverpool, while their non-penalty xG total (2.32) is the biggest by a visiting side at Anfield in all competitions this season, and the biggest since Arsenal’s 2.58 in May last season.

Woodman, Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper deputising in place of Alisson Becker and Giorgio Mamardashvili, also made five saves in an impressive display.

Glasner, whose side were unbeaten in four league outings prior to this defeat and had beaten Liverpool in the Community Shield (on penalties), Premier League, and EFL Cup this season, felt his side were beaten in the big moments.

"The difference was the efficiency. Liverpool were clinical and we were not. The goalkeeper had the day of his life so congrats to him," Glasner added. 

"We kept believing until the end. It was really positive and this is what we take into the final weeks.

"I told them that I think it was our best performance here against Liverpool. We were very competitive here today. I showed them the stats. 2-0 down at half-time, you could say we rest our power for the Conference League semi-final and maybe lose 4-0 or something. 

"This performance will give us a lot of confidence for the rest of the season."