I've been reading the comments by Liverpool supporters about the match report in the Guardian. Almost all think the penalty decision was a joke. At the match I saw Friend trying to justify his decision to the Palace players afterwards. Their expression said: You're having a laugh. It was a shocking performance by Friend all round, capped by one of the worst penalty decisions I have ever seen. Who can think of one that was worse?

The right place at the right time

I'm also hugely disgusted with the Benteke 'offside' decision. Alot of very obvious offsides are not given straight away and yet Benteke was flagged straight away while well onside and found himself in great attacking position. Something ain't right.

At half-time I'd have agreed, but by full-time I think we have every right to say the officials had a big hand in the loss. On one occasion Benteke is played through and is onside behind the defence, but the linesman calls it offside straight away rather than allowing play to go on. Prior to that Olise sustains a clear head/neck injury but Friend doesn't call a halt until Liverpool's attack breaks down. These are two of many incidents that got less attention but showed either Friend and his officials were poor, or biased. The penalty will get the headlines but everything went Liverpool's way today from handball decisions, to fouls, to bookings and to offside calls.

With regard to the penalty, you instantly saw the pressure lift once they scored it. Before that they were miscuing passes and panicking, so who is to say we wouldn't have equalised? The pen killed the game.

A very frustrating day.

We didn't start playing until 35th min and by that time we were somewhat fortunate to not be further behind.

Missing several clear cut chances certainly slowed our momentum.

However most frustrating is the two VAR instigated decisions. They explained for the Liverpool second goal that Firmino in an offside position did not impact the gk or players - how that can be when he challenges for the ball and causes Mitchell to be dragged out of position. Unbelievable. Then comes the penalty which I'm yet to see anyone agree with other than VAR and the ref. Absolutely ruined what would have been an entertaining last 10 mins of the game.

They say you need a bit of luck to beat the "big" teams... today we had none.

Positive displays from Olise, Schlupp and Mateta.

Why should they change their minds as you say no balls nor VAR (Pawson).
Scared stiff of upsetting Liverpool! Disgraceful.

Bring back Brolin

I think the Benteke dive for Liverpool against us was worse thuan today. But that referee didn’t have VAR and this one did. What has happened to clear and “obvious errors only” are the remit of VAR?

The so called explanation for the first Liverpool goal and the not offside decision was also poor. Firminho was interfering with play and attempted to play the ball in an offside position.

I really don’t understand how they (the on pitch and stockleyPark teams) are allowed to get away with this.

I don’t believe it is an FA backed pro big team conspiracy but then I didn’t realise beer, wine, party food and bring your own booze in the evening was a work event not a party.

Bin VAR I say. It is turning football into Strictly or Bake Off. Next there will be a countdown or a pause for dramatic effect before the final decision is announced.

VAR is becoming another way that the lesser teams can be controlled by the PL. Remember Harry Kane’s red card tackle the other week. Where was VAR then?

Notice how he tries a little flick with his foot to lob VG, but misses it because the er... the... umm.. the ball has run away from him? Then he shifts direction.

Cheat, aided by what can only be corruption by this stage. I would forgive it if it were incompetence, but too many decisions in this game stacked against us.