Liverpool Scale Palace Hurdle
Liverpool continued their fine run of form in the league that has seen them go on a 14-match unbeaten run in the competition, recording 11 wins and three draws, since their loss to Fulham in March. Jurgen Klopp made changes to his side that came back in midweek to defeat AC Milan, most prominently, Virgil van Dijk returning to the staring lineup after featuring on the bench in the match against the Italian giants, with Patrick Viera sticking with the side that started in their win over Tottenham. Super sub, Odsonne Edouard, again starting from the bench. The visitors were quick to get a grasp of the game when Wilfred Zaha went close in the first 120 seconds of the game. A Palace free kick was not properly cleared by Liverpool, which allowed Conor Gallagher to lift one into the box for Zaha to run unto. The former Manchester United man gets there ahead of the on-rushing Alisson Becker and tries a dip over the keeper, but the ball lacked the required pace, allowing Alisson to quickly get back and parry off the line. About 60 seconds later, it was former Liverpool man, Christian Benteke, who came knocking for the visitors. His powerful header coming off the post and the rebound ricocheted off his teammate. The flag was up for offside anyway and the goal wouldn't have stood. It was Liverpool's turn to assault Palace's goal. A good ball on the overlap by Konstantinos Tsimikas released Sadio Mane, whose cross went to the far post to Jordan Henderson, whose effort from close range was saved by Vicente Guaita. Fine defending from summer arrival, Ibrahim Konate would deny the visitors in the 26th minute, after Jordan Ayew had slipped Benteke through on goal, who evaded Virgil van Dijk, but Konate would come to the rescue. With seven minutes on the clock before the halftime whistle, Diogo Jota missed a sitter for the hosts. Mane's cross had been well met by Thiago Alcantara, whose header was saved by Guaita and unto the part of Jota. The Portugese international would uncharacteristically miss the rebound with the net gaping. Just when Palace must have felt ending the half on leveled terms was a plus for them, Liverpool had other agendas. A well-taken corner kick from Tsimikas was headed goal-wards by Mohammed Salah. His header was saved by Guaita, who couldn't stop Mane from scoring the rebound from close range. Palace had Guaita to thank after the restart as the goalkeeper made two stunning saves to keep his team's hope alive. A shot from Naby Keita from the edge of the box was parried Salah's way, but Guaita made himself big to deny the Egyptian on the rebound. After coming off the bench to score a brace in his league debut against Tottenham, Edouard must have hoped same of same when a chance fell to him in the 73rd minute. A neat cross from Joel Ward met the French striker unmarked but his poor touch allowed Alisson to quickly react and stop the danger. Liverpool finally broke Palace's resolve in the 78th minute and again from a cross into the box. Tsimikas's corner was flicked on by Van Dijk who couldn't guide his header towards goal. The ball fell to Salah who graciously fired into the net for his team's second. The crowning would be done by Keita, who had come on for the injured Thiago Alcantara. A Liverpool corner was parried by Guaita straight at Keita on the edge of the box. The former RB Leipzig man hit a first time half volley with his weaker left foot and into the corner, to hit the final nail on the coffin. Concluding Thoughts Liverpool continue their almost perfect start to the campaign and registered 25+ shots in their second consecutive game, having recorded 30 against Leeds United the last time out in the league. Crystal Palace may feel a bit unlucky, having started the game the brighter side and would rue their missed chances earlier on in the game. It may feel like a bit of a set back for Patrick Viera's side, having come up top against Tottenham last weekend. They should, however, pick up positives from their performance to prosecute games in the weeks.
Liverpool Scale Palace Hurdle
Liverpool continued their fine run of form in the league that has seen them go on a 14-match unbeaten run in the competition, recording 11 wins and three draws, since their loss to Fulham in March. Jurgen Klopp made changes to his side that came back in midweek to defeat AC Milan, most prominently, Virgil van Dijk returning to the staring lineup after featuring on the bench in the match against the Italian giants, with Patrick Viera sticking with the side that started in their win over Tottenham. Super sub, Odsonne Edouard, again starting from the bench. The visitors were quick to get a grasp of the game when Wilfred Zaha went close in the first 120 seconds of the game. A Palace free kick was not properly cleared by Liverpool, which allowed Conor Gallagher to lift one into the box for Zaha to run unto. The former Manchester United man gets there ahead of the on-rushing Alisson Becker and tries a dip over the keeper, but the ball lacked the required pace, allowing Alisson to quickly get back and parry off the line. About 60 seconds later, it was former Liverpool man, Christian Benteke, who came knocking for the visitors. His powerful header coming off the post and the rebound ricocheted off his teammate. The flag was up for offside anyway and the goal wouldn't have stood. It was Liverpool's turn to assault Palace's goal. A good ball on the overlap by Konstantinos Tsimikas released Sadio Mane, whose cross went to the far post to Jordan Henderson, whose effort from close range was saved by Vicente Guaita. Fine defending from summer arrival, Ibrahim Konate would deny the visitors in the 26th minute, after Jordan Ayew had slipped Benteke through on goal, who evaded Virgil van Dijk, but Konate would come to the rescue. With seven minutes on the clock before the halftime whistle, Diogo Jota missed a sitter for the hosts. Mane's cross had been well met by Thiago Alcantara, whose header was saved by Guaita and unto the part of Jota. The Portugese international would uncharacteristically miss the rebound with the net gaping. Just when Palace must have felt ending the half on leveled terms was a plus for them, Liverpool had other agendas. A well-taken corner kick from Tsimikas was headed goal-wards by Mohammed Salah. His header was saved by Guaita, who couldn't stop Mane from scoring the rebound from close range. Palace had Guaita to thank after the restart as the goalkeeper made two stunning saves to keep his team's hope alive. A shot from Naby Keita from the edge of the box was parried Salah's way, but Guaita made himself big to deny the Egyptian on the rebound. After coming off the bench to score a brace in his league debut against Tottenham, Edouard must have hoped same of same when a chance fell to him in the 73rd minute. A neat cross from Joel Ward met the French striker unmarked but his poor touch allowed Alisson to quickly react and stop the danger. Liverpool finally broke Palace's resolve in the 78th minute and again from a cross into the box. Tsimikas's corner was flicked on by Van Dijk who couldn't guide his header towards goal. The ball fell to Salah who graciously fired into the net for his team's second. The crowning would be done by Keita, who had come on for the injured Thiago Alcantara. A Liverpool corner was parried by Guaita straight at Keita on the edge of the box. The former RB Leipzig man hit a first time half volley with his weaker left foot and into the corner, to hit the final nail on the coffin. Concluding Thoughts Liverpool continue their almost perfect start to the campaign and registered 25+ shots in their second consecutive game, having recorded 30 against Leeds United the last time out in the league. Crystal Palace may feel a bit unlucky, having started the game the brighter side and would rue their missed chances earlier on in the game. It may feel like a bit of a set back for Patrick Viera's side, having come up top against Tottenham last weekend. They should, however, pick up positives from their performance to prosecute games in the weeks.
Liverpool Scale Palace Hurdle
Liverpool continued their fine run of form in the league that has seen them go on a 14-match unbeaten run in the competition, recording 11 wins and three draws, since their loss to Fulham in March. Jurgen Klopp made changes to his side that came back in midweek to defeat AC Milan, most prominently, Virgil van Dijk returning to the staring lineup after featuring on the bench in the match against the Italian giants, with Patrick Viera sticking with the side that started in their win over Tottenham. Super sub, Odsonne Edouard, again starting from the bench. The visitors were quick to get a grasp of the game when Wilfred Zaha went close in the first 120 seconds of the game. A Palace free kick was not properly cleared by Liverpool, which allowed Conor Gallagher to lift one into the box for Zaha to run unto. The former Manchester United man gets there ahead of the on-rushing Alisson Becker and tries a dip over the keeper, but the ball lacked the required pace, allowing Alisson to quickly get back and parry off the line. About 60 seconds later, it was former Liverpool man, Christian Benteke, who came knocking for the visitors. His powerful header coming off the post and the rebound ricocheted off his teammate. The flag was up for offside anyway and the goal wouldn't have stood. It was Liverpool's turn to assault Palace's goal. A good ball on the overlap by Konstantinos Tsimikas released Sadio Mane, whose cross went to the far post to Jordan Henderson, whose effort from close range was saved by Vicente Guaita. Fine defending from summer arrival, Ibrahim Konate would deny the visitors in the 26th minute, after Jordan Ayew had slipped Benteke through on goal, who evaded Virgil van Dijk, but Konate would come to the rescue. With seven minutes on the clock before the halftime whistle, Diogo Jota missed a sitter for the hosts. Mane's cross had been well met by Thiago Alcantara, whose header was saved by Guaita and unto the part of Jota. The Portugese international would uncharacteristically miss the rebound with the net gaping. Just when Palace must have felt ending the half on leveled terms was a plus for them, Liverpool had other agendas. A well-taken corner kick from Tsimikas was headed goal-wards by Mohammed Salah. His header was saved by Guaita, who couldn't stop Mane from scoring the rebound from close range. Palace had Guaita to thank after the restart as the goalkeeper made two stunning saves to keep his team's hope alive. A shot from Naby Keita from the edge of the box was parried Salah's way, but Guaita made himself big to deny the Egyptian on the rebound. After coming off the bench to score a brace in his league debut against Tottenham, Edouard must have hoped same of same when a chance fell to him in the 73rd minute. A neat cross from Joel Ward met the French striker unmarked but his poor touch allowed Alisson to quickly react and stop the danger. Liverpool finally broke Palace's resolve in the 78th minute and again from a cross into the box. Tsimikas's corner was flicked on by Van Dijk who couldn't guide his header towards goal. The ball fell to Salah who graciously fired into the net for his team's second. The crowning would be done by Keita, who had come on for the injured Thiago Alcantara. A Liverpool corner was parried by Guaita straight at Keita on the edge of the box. The former RB Leipzig man hit a first time half volley with his weaker left foot and into the corner, to hit the final nail on the coffin. Concluding Thoughts Liverpool continue their almost perfect start to the campaign and registered 25+ shots in their second consecutive game, having recorded 30 against Leeds United the last time out in the league. Crystal Palace may feel a bit unlucky, having started the game the brighter side and would rue their missed chances earlier on in the game. It may feel like a bit of a set back for Patrick Viera's side, having come up top against Tottenham last weekend. They should, however, pick up positives from their performance to prosecute games in the weeks.