Liverpool are in a big fight for a top four finish now... the same problems keep occurring and nothing changes, says former defender Jamie Carragher

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Liverpool are in a 'big fight' with Manchester United, City and Arsenal to qualify for the Champions League after Crystal Palace won 2-1 at Anfield, according to Jamie Carragher.

Christian Benteke came back to haunt them, with the former Reds striker cancelling out Philippe Coutinho's brilliant 25-yard free-kick before notching his fifth goal in three visits as an opposing player to move the Eagles up to 12th in the league.

A third successive Premier League defeat at home to Palace in Sam Allardyce's 15th attempt to win at Anfield as a manager has left the Reds looking over their shoulders, and Sportsmail's Carragher feels Jurgen Klopp's side have reasons to be fearful. 

Christian Benteke scored twice as Crystal Palace came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1

The result means a top four finish is no longer in Liverpool's hands with four games remaining

Sportsmail's Jamie Carragher fears Liverpool's defeat will give their rivals a 'massive lift'

He told Sky Sports: 'I think Liverpool are in a big fight now. Manchester United, [Manchester] City, Arsenal are all in there. Before today, I fancied it would be Man City and Liverpool to make those spots their own, especially with the fixtures. 

'But that will give Manchester United a massive lift, especially with their result [a 2-0 win against Burnley]. Arsenal are in the [FA Cup] semi-final. Liverpool's result will give United and Arsenal massive belief that they can make the top four.

'We're looking at the same problems that we've spoken about all season, you think at centre-back and at set pieces.

'Counter-attack is the other one as well. Palace never scored one of their goals from that, but Lovren's involvement in both goals - both times, he tries to knick the ball. Jurgen Klopp spoke last week of playing 'adult football'. 

Philippe Coutinho fired the hosts in front with a superb free-kick midway through the first-half

Former Liverpool striker Benteke shocked Anfield with a close-range equaliser in the first half

Benteke nodded his side ahead with 15 minutes to go after Liverpool failed to clear a corner

'Well, he's one of the most experienced players in the squad, [he should] read the situation and know whether to dive in, and he got it wrong on both occasions.' 

Klopp's men struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with just one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes and not a single effort on goal in the second-half.

It was Liverpool's sixth defeat of the season, with all six coming against teams in the bottom half. It leaves them three points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United, albeit having played two more games. 

'It's disappointing,' continued Carragher, who won nine major trophies with Liverpool. 'I've said before how to play against Liverpool, they play a very narrow front three. The opposition play a narrow back four.

'We mustn't forget they're one of the highest goalscorers in the league this season, but when a side comes to do a job on them, they find it very difficult.

Benteke celebrates his goal with on-loan Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho at Anfield

Liverpool remain in the top four but have handed the initiative back to their rivals in the race

'There's not a lot of options off the bench, and they're all very similar types of players. There's no winger in the ranks without [Sadio] Mane, and he comes inside anyway. There's no-one to stretch the play. 

'Nothing changes, and I was critical in commentary about the lack of action from the bench, just to change something and give Palace something different to think about. The changes were only made when it was 2-1 and it was far too late.' 

Liverpool have dropped five points in their last two home games, with Palace's victory coming after Bournemouth had snatched a late point in the 2-2 draw on April 5.

Former Liverpool midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness agreed with Carragher, believing his former side are now under 'enormous pressure' with no more slip-ups allowed to secure a top four place.

Liverpool players Coutinho and Joel Matip trudge off after succumbing to a shock home defeat

Palace manager Sam Allardyce is all smiles after finally winning at Anfield at the 15th attempt

Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness was scathing of Liverpool's defending for Palace's goals

The Scot felt the game played into Palace's hands with the Benteke's goals typical from a player who admitted afterwards he was motivated to perform after a disappointing season at the Reds following his £32.5million move from Aston Villa.

But Souness was unimpressed by the defending for both goals. Reflecting on the first, he said: 'As a defender you've got to think of the worst case scenario all the time. [Dejan] Lovren gets it all wrong. And it's poor defensive play from him.

He was equally apoplectic about Emre Can's role in the second goal, adding: 'What's his job? Just to stand there? No. Surely the job is to stop Benteke getting a run and a header? Stay with him. 

'It's just a case of passing the buck, not fulfilling your job properly. Lovren is then ball-watching and gets nowhere near him. That's poor defending at this level, at any level.'