Arne Slot change pays off vs Crystal Palace as next Liverpool request now clear - 4 talking points

SELHURST PARK, SOUTH LONDON // Diogo Jota scored the only goal of the game for Liverpool as Arne Slot's side beat Crystal Palace in the Premier League . But it was a game that should have been a lot more comfortable for the Reds.

Having gone in front on nine minutes through the Portugal number nine, Liverpool failed to build much on its advantage. Crystal Palace offered little in the way of a threat but with only one goal in the game, there was always going to be a chance that a surprise could unfold.

When Alisson Becker went off injured and youngster Viteszlav Jaros was called upon, the host would have been smelling a chance. The Reds, though, saw it out. Here are the four things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.

Arne Slot changes

Arne Slot made four changes to his team here with Dominik Szoboszlai unable to play at the same intensity again and again, and Andy Robertson and Luis Diaz important players who there is no need to overwork. With Kostas Tsimikas and Cody Gakpo in reserve, exhausting the others would be pointless; the only surprise was that Ibrahima Konate started a third game in a week.

"If I ask the players if they are fatigued, they will always tell me no," Slot told TNT Sports before kick-off . "We’ve played a lot of games and Cody has done really well, Kostas has done really well, and Curtis, every time he comes in, did well.

"It’s a good moment for Curtis to start also because he’s not going to go for international games, so it’s good for him to have a game as well. He’s done very good when he’s come in, and Dom is putting so, so much effort in his pressing that you wonder if he can continue doing this every three days."

It could be coincidental, of course, but Slot made similar changes when he last faced a midweek Champions League game, as was the case this week with the visit of Bologna. Despite all the talk of him being reluctant to rotate, there was no doubt that it was needed here following a Wednesday night/Saturday lunchtime turnaround. It was a move that paid off in the end.

Curtis Jones impresses

The Liverpool midfield has largely been settled so far this season but Jones came in for Szoboszlai and kept things ticking nicely. He helped create a few chances and was unfortunate to get on the wrong side of the referee on a couple of close calls.

Jones has been unlucky with a minor injury this season and then Szoboszlai playing well has kept him out of the team. This was a reminder of the quality that Liverpool has in reserve, however. Jones is a top player when he is in form and in rhythm; the only shame for him is that he now has to endure an international break.

Control but no kill

Liverpool controlled the match in the main but didn't get that crucial second goal. It is one thing staying patient, which is the desired approach under Slot, but the Reds should have been able to go for the kill as Oliver Glasner's out-of-form side toiled.

That would have made things much more comfortable, especially when Alisson went off injured. Instead, Liverpool was made to sweat a little. Games at Selhurst Park are rarely easy, but this should have been more so than it was.

Crystal Palace has struggled to pick up points so far this season and its threat was minimal even against Jaros. Liverpool got there in the end but Slot would have wanted an easier last few minutes.

Viteszlav Jaros' debut

Goalkeeper Viteszlav Jaros wouldn't have been in the matchday squad had Caoimhin Kelleher not been out with illness but he was required when Alisson went down. In the circumstances, he did well.

Jaros time-wasted a bit, stopped Eberechi Eze from scoring with a big opening, and punched a couple of crosses clear. It wasn't always nerveless but it was a strong performance given he wouldn't have been expecting to feature.

The Czech shot-stopper has a good amount of experience of senior soccer but playing for Liverpool is another task entirely. He will have relished the chance and can look back with pride at his role in seeing the result out.