Every word from Patrick Vieira’s post-Liverpool press conference – Crystal Palace boss on Michael Olise, missed chances and Cheick Doucoure

Crystal Palace played out a goalless draw with Liverpool on Saturday night at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles are the only side in the Premier League yet to pick up three points in 2023.

Here is every word from Patrick Vieira’s post-match press conference at Selhurst Park:

How would you sum up the display tonight? 

“It was a good game from our side.

“We played with a lot of intensity, discipline, and we started the game really well.

“In the first half, we had those opportunities that we didn’t take in the end.

“In the second half, they had a really good spell in the first 20 minutes, and it was really difficult for us.

“But we managed not to concede the goal. It was important for us to deal with those difficult moments.

“After that, we finished the game in a better way.”

You mentioned the end of the game. Your team grew into it, but in the first half, Mateta had a couple of really good chances and missed them. Does that demonstrate the biggest problem that faces your club at the moment? 

You’re producing chances, but you’re just not scoring enough goals?

“Yeah, this is one of the frustrations we can have as a team.

“To create those opportunities and chances, and not to take them.

“Especially against teams like Liverpool, we knew it would be difficult to create chances, but we managed to do so.

“But we didn’t take them. This is something we have to improve and do better.”

Does it worry you that the striker wasn’t able to take the chances?

“No, it’s just about confidence. I’m working with them every day, and I see the quality that they have.

“All of them can finish and score goals. It’s just about me putting training in place to build that confidence.

“I don’t have any doubt about the quality they have to finish those chances.”

Did you have a word with the referee at the end?

“No. Did I look like I was unhappy?”

It looked like you were unhappy about the blowing of the final whistle.

“Yeah, it was a question I had for the referee. He gave me a really good answer. I shook his hand, and I was happy with this answer. There was no problem at all.”

Just on Olise, he looked really good, especially in the second half. He has a lot of confidence on the ball, which looks like it makes the difference in the tight areas.

“He was really important for us when we were in possession – he created those chances for us.

“That was, I believe, one of his most complete games. Even defensively, he was working well and was really smart.

“He is growing – that is really good for us.”

A word on Cheick Doucoure?

“Cheick had a really good game. We know that when you play against Liverpool, you need those 11 players to perform because of the quality that they have.

“When you’re looking at Vince to Mateta up front, we worked well, and we worked hard as a team – we were well disciplined.

“The plan that we had, I believe the players executed really well today. The only thing that was missing was to score that goal.”

MAIN PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD