PALACE boss Alan Pardew accepted that Saturday's FA Cup opponents Liverpool deserved their victory at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles were below-par, particular in the second half after the Reds had turned around a one-goal deficit to go in front with two goals in nine minutes early on.
Pardew felt Palace may have even scored too early through Fraizer Campbell, but did think had Dwight Gayle put them 2-0 ahead, it could have been a different story in south London.
But Daniel Sturridge equalised and then Adam Lallana capitalised on a Julian Speroni save to change the game dramatically.
"I felt we didn't put enough pressure on Liverpool," said Pardew.
"They can keep the ball well at times, and I kind of thought getting the goal was a negative getting it early and sitting back a little bit.
"Liverpool have fantastic technical players who ask questions, and it was a great first goal – unstoppable to a degree; great pass, great finish.
"Maybe the pivotal moment was in the first half when Dwight Gayle was one-on-one and if he has put that in then we would have been very difficult to beat.
"Liverpool had a grip of the game from the off. We only had control in minimal periods. Towards the end we had a little bit more and it could have easily been a draw.
"I'm not too disappointed but I do feel it's an opportunity we missed. We're not going make excuses, Liverpool deserved to win and therefore you have to accept that sometimes."
