Liverpool vs Crystal Palace player ratings: Diaz 7, Nunez 2; Zaha 8, Eze 7

Nunez sees red before Diaz strike rescues a point for Liverpool at Anfield

CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian was left isolated for Palace’s goal but narrowed the angle enough to ensure Zaha’s strike had to be precise. Otherwise he had little to do. Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7. The 23-year-old deserved more of a reward for his crossing. His passing sometimes lacked accuracy but his instinct was always progressive. PA

Nathaniel Phillips – 4. The 25-year-old did not see any Premier League action last season because he was on loan. He did not look ready for a return to the top flight and struggled with Zaha’s pace before making way for Gomez in the 63rd minute. EPA

Virgil van Dijk – 6. The Dutchman was solid, particularly when his team were a man short. His attempts to generate some forward momentum did not really work. Reuters

Andrew Robertson – 5. The Scot does not have the same chemistry with Diaz that he had with Sadio Mane. As a consequence, his attacking raids were not as dangerous and he was replaced by Tsimikas in the 63rd minute. AP Photo

Fabinho – 4. The Brazilian has made a poor start to the season. He had the chance to break up the move for Palace’s goal and was often behind the pace of the game. Reuters

James Milner – 6. The 36-year-old was robust without ever being dynamic. He tried hard to be creative but could not connect with the forwards in a dangerous manner. Henderson came on for him in the 63rd minute. Getty Images

Harvey Elliott – 7. A fine effort from the 19-year-old, whose energy and intelligence were prominent. In the second half he tired and came off for Carvalho with 11 minutes left. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah – 6. The Egyptian is as eager as ever but things are not quite clicking yet. He threatened before the break but was compromised by Nunez’s dismissal. Getty Images

Darwin Nunez – 2. Anfield expected a lot from the Uruguayan but he let the side down with the most stupid of headbutts to earn a red card. It was a shame because his physical presence – if controlled – is a huge plus for the team and he hit the post just before the break. Getty Images

Luis Diaz – 7. The Colombian was poor until Nunez’s departure and then sprang to life. His goal was a thing of beauty that left half the Palace side trailing in his wake. Getty Images

SUBS: Joe Gomez – 6. The 25-year-old came on for Phillips in the 63rd minute. The defence was more secure for his injection of pace. AFP

Jordan Henderson – 7. The 32-year-old replaced Milner in the 63rd minute and added energy to the midfield. He urged the side forward in pursuit of victory. Getty Images

Kostas Tsimikas – 4. The Greek joined the action in the 63rd minute at Robertson’s expense. His crossing was more wayward than the man he replaced. PA

Fabio Carvalho – 6. The 19-year-old came off the bench with 11 minutes to go in place of Elliott. He looked bright and went close with a last-minute volley. PA

CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita – 6. The Spaniard set out early to slow the rhythm of the game and ended up in the referee’s book for timewasting. He looked secure but was unable to do anything about the equaliser. AFP

Nathaniel Clyne – 6. The former Liverpool man seemed to have Diaz under control. Then the Colombian scored a splendid goal. The whole defence was to blame but the 31-year-old might have stopped the run at source. AFP

Joel Ward – 6. The 32-year-old worked well in the three centre-back system. He made a number of blocks and interceptions but was stranded for the equaliser. AFP

Joachim Andersen – 7. The Dane was not daunted by the physical challenge of Nunez. He fell like a stone during his altercation with the Liverpool striker but there was only one winner in that battle and it wasn’t the Uruguayan. Getty Images

Marc Guehi – 7. The 22-year-old did a fine job against Salah. His positional sense and anticipation were impressive. AP Photo

Tyrick Mitchell – 7. The 22-year-old was part of the platoon charged with stopping Salah. He was quick in the tackle and committed to the block. Richards replaced him with 11 minutes to go. AFP

Jordan Ayew – 6. The Ghanaian did plenty of running without much joy although his teammates saw the benefit. He made way for Edouard in the 63rd minute. Getty Images

Cheick Doucoure – 6. The Malian spent most of the time stopping Liverpool attacks but he supplied Zaha with the ball when the striker hit the post. Hughes came on for him with 11 minutes to go. Getty Images

Jeffrey Schlupp – 6. The 29-year-old combined caution and industry. He made life awkward for Liverpool’s midfield before exiting the game with two minutes to go for Olise. AP Photo

Eberechi Eze – 7. The 24-year-old provided the pass for Zaha to score. His touch and direct play were impressive. He was replaced by Milivojevic with 11 minutes to go. Getty Images

Wilfried Zaha – 8. The Ivorian scored a superb goal and made life a misery for Phillips. He hit the post and was disappointed to leave Anfield with a draw. AFP

SUBS: Odsonne Edouard – 6. The 24-year-old joined the action in the 63rd minute at Ayew’s expense. His energy did much to stifle Liverpool’s late efforts. AFP

Will Hughes – 6. The 27-year-old replaced Doucoure with 11 minutes to go. The midfielder provided extra security. AFP

Luka Milivojevic – 6. The Serb relieved Eze with 11 minutes left as Palace shut down for the draw. He was effective in stopping attacks. Reuters

Chris Richards – 6. The American came on for Mitchell in the 79th minute for his first taste of Premier League action. He helped shore up the defence. Getty Images

Michael Olise – 5. The 20-year-old was given a brief cameo when Schlupp came off with two minutes remaining. He can be satisfied with his brief appearance. Getty Images

Striker Darwin Nunez lost his head but fellow South American Luis Diaz ensured 10-man Liverpool did not lose their long unbeaten home record with a brilliant equaliser to secure a 1-1 Premier League draw with Crystal Palace.

Anfield is no stranger to fiery Uruguayans after witnessing the highs and lows of Luis Suarez for three-and-a-half years but the recklessness of their summer signing’s weak headbutt on Joachim Andersen beggared belief.

Frustration had been growing having gone behind to Wilfried Zaha’s 32nd-minute goal against the run of play but the way Nunez to reacted to being provoked by the Palace centre-back was naive at best and idiotic at worst.

The fact the 23-year-old’s act of self-destruction was rescued by Diaz, who beat at least five players in shimmying his way into position to unleash a 25-yard shot past Victor Guaita, four minutes after the red card, will be of no consolation.

Nunez is currently Jurgen Klopp’s only fit striker, with Diogo Jota nursing a thigh injury and Roberto Firmino missing the game as a precaution, and his resulting three-match ban – with arch-rivals Manchester United next up in a week’s time – is likely to be costly.