Andy Robertson called out Liverpool’s misfiring forwards after a damaging home loss to Crystal Palace. The Reds trailed after Eberechi Eze’s 14th-minute goal, and that proved defining with both sides proceeding to blow a host of guilt-edged chances.

The Reds were persistently opened up by their visitors, but also created ample opportunities to level matters. Darwin Nunez missed the best of them as he somehow blasted straight at Dean Henderson from point-blank range, while Mo Salah and Diogo Jota both blew chances with the goal at their mercy.

Robertson duly pulled no punches afterwards, saying: “We’re struggling to keep clean sheets right now but we’re still creating opportunities and when you do that, you have to take them, it’s as simple as that. The boys in front of goal have to do better.”

The Scottish international conceded improvements were needed defensively as well, but after a dismal first half display argued the hosts could still have salvaged a result. “Second half we had enough chances to win two or three games,” he continued. “When you’re in a title race you have to be clinical and we weren’t that today.”

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Robertson cited the recent domestic break as a turning point, saying: “Since we came back from international duty we’ve not been as clinical in front of goal. We’re obviously off the boil in front of goal and that’s clear.

“We’ve had two games, one in the Europa League and one in the Premier League, and no goals at Anfield which is very, very rare, and we’ve been punished for it. But we have to move on and that’s the only thing we can do now.”

The defeat leaves the Reds two points off new leaders Manchester City, although Arsenal will take that spot by a point if they beat Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. And the tension of the title race seemed apparent in the home crowd, with the atmosphere one of frustration for much of the 90 minutes.

But the left-back refused to point the finger at fans. He added: “I thought the crowd were quite anxious today and rightly so the way we were passing the ball. We kept giving it away. I don’t know if players maybe reacted off that, those who aren’t as experienced when it comes to a title race.

“But we’re all quality players that’s why we are at Liverpool football club – and we have to deal with that pressure. Today, in the first half, we didn’t deal with that pressure very well.”

Jurgen Klopp‘s side go to Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday, needing to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit. They follow up with a trip to Fulham on Sunday, a clash which is now ‘must win’ to keep their fading title hopes alive.