MOHAMED SALAH’S 200TH goal for Liverpool inspired a second-half comeback as the Reds secured a 2-1 victory over 10-man Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Jurgen Klopp’s men got off to a lacklustre start in south London, failing to register a shot on target in the first half, while Jefferson Lerma came within inches of an opener for the hosts.
Palace went ahead through Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 57th-minute penalty, but their positive momentum came to a halt when Jordan Ayew was shown a second yellow and Liverpool levelled thanks to Salah a minute later.
Harvey Elliott secured all three points in the first minute of second-half stoppage time and the Reds clung on to the result despite Palace pressure that saw Joachim Andersen denied a late leveller.
Palace were still looking for just their second home league victory of the season after a disappointing 2-0 midweek loss to Bournemouth, and the visitors were on the attack early when Konstantinos Tsimikas fired wide of Sam Johnstone’s left post from 25 yards.
There was little to excite either side as the clock ticked past the 10-minute mark, the Eagles unable to make anything of their first corner before Salah sent a cross into the arms of the Palace keeper.
Liverpool looked more likely to break the deadlock, but it was Palace who came within inches of an opener shortly before the half-hour mark.
Jordan Ayew’s cross found Lerma at the back post where an outstretched Alisson was able to palm the ball off the upright where it dropped down dangerously again before Trent Alexander-Arnold scrambled in to clear.
Palace were initially awarded a penalty when Virgil van Dijk barged into Odsonne Edouard, but after a lengthy pause to consult VAR, referee Andrew Madley ruled Will Hughes had fouled Wataru Endo in the build-up and the Reds were instead awarded a fortunately-timed free-kick.
The Reds applied pressure but had little to show for it after the first period, while the home support – who booed their side off the pitch three nights ago – recognised the Eagles’ efforts with a burst of applause.
Both managers made changes to start the second half, Hodgson bringing on Mateta for Edouard, who had taken a knock, and Klopp swapping Endo for Joe Gomez.
Though VAR had rescinded the hosts’ first spot-kick, they were more favourably rewarded after the restart, when Jarell Quansah made contact with Mateta.
Play was initially waved on, but Madley was eventually advised to turn to the monitor after a lengthy review and ultimately pointed to the spot, where the substitute fired the hosts to a 1-0 lead with a composed finish.
Palace’s much-needed positive momentum was quickly quashed when Ayew fouled substitute Harvey Elliott and was sent off with his second yellow on 75 minutes and Salah sent a deflected strike past Johnstone a minute later after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area.
There was more bad news for the Eagles when Johnstone was forced off and replaced by Remi Matthews, who could do nothing to deny Elliott who rifled past him to complete the comeback.
Victory for Liverpool was preserved by another huge save from Alisson to stop Joachim Anderson from netting a dramatic equaliser in 10 minutes of stoppage time.
I hear Klopp angrily demanded a replay on behalf of Palace after the game.
@Joe O’Regan: Will request Don McLean’s ‘Crying’ for you on jukebox later lad
@Joe O’Regan: I demanded one off your sister but your da beat me to it
He must go down as the greatest foreign talent to play in Premier league. 200 goals as a winger/striker is crazy number.. he’ll easily hit another 100 goals.. and he’s won the lot. 36million !!!
@MartyCharles: henry
@james mccarthy: what about him ?
The fact you mention him says it all.. Salah is on a par
@MartyCharles: Henry was a better player arguably the best player in the premier league era
Great three points that- showing great character.Top of the table now!
another good Liverpool win with a poor performance. Concerning that Liverpool need so many come backs, can’t rely on always coming from behind. Glad Alison returned as he showed why he best keeper in world. Awful referring and VAR again, never a second yellow for Ayew and it was a clear palace penalty so how officials take so long to make decision is worrying, they must be incompetent. Liverpool in a great position despite not playing well recently, have to be happy with that.
@Ger Power: palace got a penalty,regarding the first decision,it was deemed a palace player committed a foul in the build up so it the penalty claim is null and void sort of speak.
@Ger Power: while I agree it was a soft pen the other side of it was ayew had giving away numerous niggly fouls up to that point so mayb it was a accumulation of fouls
@Deano: my comment was re the penalty that palace scored, didn’t make that clear. Was a clear foul on Endo for the first half penalty
@Ger Power: fair enough
Advantage Liverpool now. Favourites for the league now for me. Palace in free fall, could join Sheffield United and Burnley in Championship next season.
@Ray Ridge: wouldn’t agree with labelling Liverpool favourites. Arsenal will have that painful experience from last year which should benefit them and Man City always capable of putting a long long winning streak together. Great to have what looks like a tight title race.
@Ger Power: advantage Liverpool as they now have the points on the board. Puts pressure back on arsenal and city to get wins
@Ger Power: have to agree. Looks to be 3 teams alright. As a Liverpool fan I fear that some of these games might not go our way all the time. It’s great that they have so far. But it’s less than convincing sometimes although the points total doesn’t suggest that. Arsenal are a good team and city are city. So still all to play for. Tis early days.
@Sean Parker: You can rule Arsenal out for sure. They won’t beat Villa today. Fancy Villa to get all 3 points. It’s between Liverpool and City.
@Sean Parker: Liverpool have exceeded my expectations so far given last seasons disaster and rebuild of the midfield. All based on results though and not performances, they not blitzing teams like previous seasons and those high number average and poor performances don’t fill me with confidence of a long winning streak. But it’s a tight season and teams will drop points…won’t take 90 points to win the league
@Ray Ridge: favourites in December……..must be 12 point clear.
Not impressed by the level of performance in that first half at all however the mentality monsters 2.0 are grabbing ugly wins everywhere. You have to be impressed by that attitude. Never give up. Best club in the world don’t care what anyone says
Great win for the club. Performance was very clumsy though
Winning ugly again. Will take it.
Good win for Liverpool. Keeps them in contention. But that Klopp is one horrible man. How he treated the interviewer after the Sheff utd. match was appaling.
@Michael Carroll: he did take that comment badly but I bet if you were to ask any number of people who have worked with Klopp, very few will describe him as a “horrible man”.
The difference is they weren’t allowed to play well by palace. Pool are there for the taking out wide and teams are taking advantage. They’re very lucky they got two decisions in their favour today. The sending off was a joke and completely changed the game. Palace were on top at that stage and looked like they were applying more pressure. A second yellow should be a serious offence, if this was a decision made against a top 6 side there would be war in the media. You could imagine Klopp the arrogant, petulant child!
@John Clifford: it’s a booking all day though John. Doesn’t matter it’s a 2nd one. He’d just gotten away with a couple before the 2 yellow too
@John Clifford: Bitter much!?
@mainmsam: They were nothing fouls though, to be fair, the two before the second booking. The problem is the game is gone nearly no contact in the challenge and with players diving or feinting injury we are getting players sent off for very little, fair enough if it’s cynical. It’s a pity because the art of a sliding tackle or just a well timed one when going to ground is completely lost as the way the game is refereed now, they don’t want them.
@damien leen: I’m a palace fan so of course i’m pissed off, however no one’s bitter or losing sleep over this. I’ve no axe to grind with Liverpool, a decent club, it’s just decisions against the money sides tend to go that way unfortunately. I don’t think any fan can say that klopp, arteta, or pep dont act like spoilt children. Compare them to pochitteno, howe or ange they are complete gentleman.
@John Clifford: the two before May have been nothing but the 3rd is the one you don’t get away with. Look I’d be annoyed if it was a Liverpool player but the ref got it right he was consistent. They’re letting a bit go this season but they can’t let them all go
@mainmsam: The first booking was never a yellow as he jumped out of the way after initially trying to slow it down, it didn’t touch him. The second was innocuous in the middle of the pitch. I don’t think even the Liverpool players were looking for it. A foul yes, but that’s it. It’s extremely soft but obviously had a massive bearing on the game. As you say if it was a Liverpool player getting sent off against United next weekend for a second yellow like that you will be fuming! Good luck to ye anyway, as ye are playing an entertaining brand of football at the moment.