Hendo reveals LFC's second-half plan to beat Palace
Increasing the tempo and maintaining belief formed Liverpool's successful second-half plan against Crystal Palace, revealed Jordan Henderson after the 2-1 win.
Jürgen Klopp’s side trailed at the interval at Selhurst Park, with Luka Milivojevic’s penalty separating the teams during an opening 45 minutes that saw Sadio Mane have a goal disallowed and a spot-kick appeal rejected.
But they regrouped before returning for the second period in south London and were level within four minutes of the restart as Mane clipped home from James Milner’s assist.
Palace fought back and had chances of their own to claim three points but they were snatched by the visitors when Mohamed Salah struck for the 37th time this term in the closing moments.
Henderson was not wholly satisfied by Liverpool’s performance but credited his colleagues for carrying out the required adjustments to turn the game around.
Asked what the players wanted to change in the second half, the captain told Liverpoolfc.com: “[To] move the ball quicker, keep going, keep getting the ball into the box and creating chances because we know we can score goals.
“We were still full of belief at half-time that we could turn things around and I think that showed in the second half.
“I didn’t think we were at our best today but when you are not playing at your best you’ve got to keep going and find a way, and I thought we did that brilliantly. We kept going second half and found a way to win.”
Yet again, it was Salah who produced the decisive moment.
But the Egypt international was teed up by a fine Liverpool move, which involved Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain switching play to Andy Robertson and the left-back picking out the Premier League’s top scorer inside the box.
“It was brilliant play actually. It was a great ball by Robbo,” said Henderson.
“And then when it falls to him you are thinking, ‘it’s hitting the back of the net’. Thankfully, he keeps going and he keeps getting the goal for us and another important goal to move us up.”
On an afternoon that often threatened to go against him, Mane had hauled Klopp’s men level when he found space to coolly sweep Milner’s centre into the net four minutes after the break.
The No.19 and his fellow forwards, Roberto Firmino and Salah, now have a combined total of 75 goals for the Reds this season – giving the rest of the squad confidence in every match.
But the trio have to be backed up by a secure structure, explained Henderson.
“With those three up top you know you are going to create and you are going to get chances and score goals,” added the skipper.
“We just needed to make sure we had protection because they were dangerous on the counter-attack with the players they have got.
“There are still a lot of things we can do better but I thought we reacted well in a difficult situation in a difficult place to come, and coming back from international duty.
“Putting all that into consideration I thought we handled that brilliantly in the end and found a way to win.”