Roy Hodgson explains why Mateta stayed benched for Crystal Palace’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool

Roy Hodgson felt Wilfried Zaha’s pace and skill was a better weapon against Liverpool’s young centre-backs – in comparison to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s towering presence – as Crystal Palace ended the season with a 2-0 defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

While it was always going to be a struggle to replace the in-form Christian Benteke, who has scored four goals in his last four games, Mateta remained on the bench for the entire 90 minutes at Anfield.

The Eagles missed Benteke’s aerial ability, astute movement and link-up play, as Hodgson’s side could only muster four shots on target. And with Zaha leading the line as a lone forward, the Ivorian was swarmed at any opportunity by Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips.

Benteke missed out with a calf injury sustained in the 3-1 defeat at home to Arsenal on Wednesday night.

Asked if Mateta could have been handed minutes in place of the injured Benteke, or if he could have started the game, Hodgson said: “No, it’s just a choice of players.

“We thought our purpose would be better served by having someone like Wilf Zaha up front – with his pace and skill, we thought he might cause the young centre-backs a few more problems. They would have been happier playing against a big centre-forward of Mateta’s type that they could have fought a physical battle with. We thought that Wilf playing up there might cause them more problems, and that certainly looked like the case in the early part of the game.”

Hodgson praised the quality of Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the departing manager adding: “We couldn’t establish good enough possession in the midfield as the game wore on. That’s because this team we played against is very, very athletic and very good at pressurising the ball – they don’t give you much time. It’s not all that easy to find the passes and show the composure you would like to show.”

Hodgson also bemoaned the injury list. He said: “If Benteke had been fit, he probably would have played. If Luka Milivojevic had been available, he would have played. If Eberechi Eze would have been available, he would have played. If James McArthur had been available, he might well have played. All these are what we have to contend with. But most importantly, we had to contend with this is our third very tough game in a week.”