"?Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew admitted that his side were far 'too open' in their clash against Liverpool, but has hailed the Reds' title chances, suggesting they will go close.
Pardew's men suffered a 4-2 home defeat to Jurgen Klopp's side on Saturday evening, with both sides' defences proving costly in the first half, with the Merseyside club pulling away in the second half.
According to the"? Daily Mail, Pardew has suggested that his side were too open against an expansive Liverpool side, while he also admitted that his team selections are becoming tougher as the season goes on, especially with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend.
"(Andros) Townsend wants to play on the right-hand side," said Pardew.
"Wilf (Zaha) was terrific, it's a tough decision. We're missing (Pape) Soare on the left. I'm not going to say it isn't a problem.
"We were a bit too open against a side as good as they are; some brilliant technical play at times.
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"We didn't start as we would have liked, as much pressure, we were defending in the last third. To concede from two set plays in unusual for us; that is something we need to address.
Speaking of Klopp's team's title chances in what could be one of the most open races for the league in years, Pardew has indicated that nothing is certain yet, but Liverpool will definitely go close.
"I don't know about winning the league but they are certainly going to be close. The two centre-halves were terrific even if they made a mistake. That's an area they are not so strong, but played well."