It really is a bit baffling. Everyone knows his areal abilities.

Why isn't Anderson stuck to him like glue?

There has been some chat about it being a cleaver routine, and then the ball wasn't in the right place etc. Which are terrible excuses.

The ball was 2 yards from the spot. Mitrovic was allowed to trot from the back post to the near, with not so much as a hand on him.

The answer may be that we mark zonally. Not a fan myself.

No, neither am I.

I've always thought from corners/set pieces any team should identify their best competitors aerially, identify the opposition's, and designate marking responsibility appropriately with perhaps one or two 'free players'.

As for your other comments, my thinking certainly would have been Andersen vs Mitrovic. I find it quite shocking in fact this wouldn't have been determined pre-match, during or even immediately upon the threat of a dead ball being played into the box.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

A bit of justice there at the end.
That was a nothing challenge on Eze who went down easy.
We were fortunate to get that decision, which resulted in Ward's equaliser, but Fulham FC had been doing it all day so stuff 'em.

Edited by tonymikejoe (22 May 2023 12.10pm)

Anyone switching on Match of the Day only just in time to see the post-match analysis wouldn't have been aware that Crystal Palace had taken part in the game! Yet earlier in the programme they managed to fit in a full analysis of Klopp's griping and of various Liverpool players having played their last home games for the club.

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

The extended highlights included good footage of the Mitrovic header goal from several angles. Some of the tidbits I noticed:

1) Before the kick, Joel Ward was shouting at his teammates to warn them about Mitrovic. He knew M was the likely target, positioned wide but intending to run straight towards the ball in the middle.

2) Although Andersen was set up in zonal defensive position, he had his eye on Mitrovic from the start. Diop, however, grabbed Andersen's shirt at the neck, and prevented him from tracking Mitrovic.

3) Like American football players, Palhina and Tete led the way, blocking Guehi and Mitchell from the space where the ball would be delivered.

4) Edouard was free to defend in the middle. Instead of even glancing towards Mitrovic, he watched the ball and failed to move toward it. A woefully passive effort.

5) After the goal, Ward was clearly angry that his teammates hadn't "listened." Meanwhile, Andersen looked disgusted that he'd been held, though he knew the referee didn't see the hold and wouldn't make a call.

This said, it was a fantastic cross – low, quick, and perfectly placed – and an equally fantastic finish, both powerful and accurate. Perhaps if relegation were on the line, we would have fought harder. After conceding three goals to corner kicks at West Ham three weeks ago, though, you'd think we'd defend them more aggressively. COYP!

Actually the foul was further infield than where Mr "out of his depth" Ref marked the ground.
Plus the foul they got on the wing in 1st half which led to Penalty, was taken in our half and pass back to the spot the player was waiting but as the ball was travelling when the Fulham player kicked it forward, it should not have been allowed!!
So many errors in the match..