Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool: Five talking points
Liverpool were relieved and satisfied to leave Selhurst Park with a hard-fought win against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
On their return to Premier League action following the international break, Jürgen Klopp’s side came from a goal behind to win 2-1 courtesy of second-half strikes from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
And we have picked out five talking points from the crucial victory…
Applause for Andy Robertson…
The left-back was the recipient of widespread praise for his latest energetic and industrious performance, earning the Man of the Match award in our Twitter poll.
Such is the Scotland international’s skill when delivering crosses from the flank, match-winner Salah said he knew a chance was coming his way when Robertson found space late on.
At the other end, the defender won each of his tackles, made four clearances and one interception, won 100 per cent of his aerial duels, had 106 touches and 81.8 per cent passing accuracy.
Mane’s persistence pays off…
On a mixed afternoon for the Senegal star, Mane’s refusal to give up was rewarded with the equaliser that laid the foundations for Liverpool’s comeback.
In the first half, the No.19 had an effort correctly ruled out for offside, a neat header stopped by Wayne Hennessey, and a penalty appeal dismissed by the referee.
Mane persisted, however, and was the quickest to react when, four minutes into the second period, James Milner created room for a low cross into the Palace area.
It was his 15th goal of the season and increased the cumulative total for the Reds’ front three to 75 in 2017-18.
More records fall to unstoppable Salah…
Salah’s 84th-minute winner increased the Egyptian’s goal tally for the season to 37 and saw the Liverpool No.11 achieve a number of records in the process.
He drew level with former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba for the most Premier League strikes (29) by an African player in a single campaign – with six games still to go, too.
Hitting the net at Selhurst Park also meant Salah has scored in 21 different league fixtures this term, equalling a milestone previously set by Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-08) and Robin van Persie (2012-13) in the 38-match Premier League era.
The 25-year-old is now only three goals away from becoming just the third man in Reds history to score 40 times in a season. Ian Rush did it in 1983-84 and 1986-87, while Roger Hunt did it in 1961-62.
Century up for Klopp…
The game was the club’s 100th in the league since Klopp took charge of Liverpool in October 2015, with the victory his 54th in the English top flight so far.
Only three of his predecessors fared better in their equivalent century: Kenny Dalglish (61 wins), Bill Shankly and Rafael Benitez (both 56). Bob Paisley also won 54.
Highlights: Palace 1-2 LFC - the best of the action
Momentum maintained for Manchester City clash…
The trip to Palace represented the beginning of what could be the most important fortnight of Liverpool’s entire season – and, ultimately, kicked things off in positive style.
The first match of a two-legged Champions League quarter-final with City follows on Wednesday night at Anfield, before the Merseyside derby, the European return at the Etihad and the visit of Bournemouth.
“Every player wants to play these games. We will prepare well and be ready for it,” said Virgil van Dijk of the ‘massive’ period ahead of Klopp’s team.
For their part, Pep Guardiola’s runaway leaders continued their cruise to the Premier League title with an emphatic 3-1 victory at Everton later in the day.