Jurgen Klopp’s men secured their second successive victory to start the 2018/19 Premier League season
Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park to make it two wins from two in the new Premier League season.
Anfield’s faithful were treated to a 4-0 drubbing of West Ham last week, while their travelling support witnessed another clean sheet, though a not quite as exciting performance on Monday night.
The match began with a relatively quiet opening 20 minutes, but proceedings livened up after the Reds scored a disallowed goal.
A cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold was claimed by Wayne Hennessey, only for Sadio Mane to clatter into him seconds afterwards, with the foul causing the Palace ‘keeper to drop the ball which bounced over the line.
Moments later, Naby Keita caught the attention of his new fans by sensationally creating a clear-cut chance missed by Mo Salah, before the Guinean then gave the ball away to Andros Townsend and he hit the bar from 25 yards.
With half-time approaching, Mamadou Sakho was adjudged to have fouled Salah inside the penalty area, much to the displeasure of Palace support.
James Milner placed the spot kick past Hennessey to give his side the lead just before the break.
The home side started the second period on the front foot as a free kick from Luka Milivojevic tested Alisson, as did a header from Christian Benteke.
However their superiority was short-lived at the Reds regained control.
With 15 minutes remaining, Liverpool hit their opponents on the break and Roberto Firmino played Mo Salah in one-on-one.
As the Egyptian stormed towards goal, he was tripped by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Palace were reduced to ten men as a result.
Wilfried Zaha created one last chance for his team, lashing a low ball across the box, however it trickled all the way through the penalty area without any contact from a teammate
The visitors secured the three points in stoppage time as another breakaway move saw Mo Salah feed Sadio Mane, who rounded Wayne Hennessey to wrap up the fixture.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
The decision that changed the game was of course the penalty call which gave Liverpool their first goal. Palace fans weren’t happy with the referee’s call, however replays showed that, while Mo Salah undoubtedly went down a little easy, he was tripped by a clumsy Mamadou Sakho.
MATCH STATS
TEAMS:
Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Wan-Bissaka, Van Aanholt, Tomkins, Sakho, Schlupp, McArthur, Milivojevic, Townsend, Zaha, Benteke
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Keita, Mane, Salah, Firmino
