The conqueror of Tottenham Hotspur last week travelled to Anfield with the intent to repeat the same feat, but in this season, Liverpool are a different unit altogether –they are hungry for success and have no plans to lose points at home and away – especially against the smaller teams.
Jurgen Klopp has made five changes to the team that beat AC Milan in midweek, with Trent Alexander-Arnold missing out through illness, while Joel Matip rested. Meanwhile, Andy Robertson, Naby Keita and Origi dropped to the bench. They had been replaced by James Milner, Virgil van Dijk, Thiago Alcantara, Sadio Mane and Konate who made his debut.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace named the same starting XI that beat Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, with Edouard remaining on the bench, despite his goals in that game, with Benteke keeping his place.
After winning three consecutive Premier League away games against Liverpool between 2014-15 and 2016-17, Crystal Palace have lost each of their last four visits to Anfield in the competition.
It was Palace who started brightly.
Liverpool failed to deal with a free-kick and did not clear their lines, so Gallagher chipped it back into the box, which Zaha sprinted onto the end of and just got to the ball ahead of Alisson, flicking it towards an empty net. However, he did not get enough pace on it and Alisson managed to tip it onto the post, before it bounced away.
A few minutes later, Palace went close again with a deep cross comes into the box and Benteke powered a header towards the bottom left corner of the net. However, it struck the post and then hit a Palace man and bounced wide. It wouldn't have counted anyway as the flag went up for offside.
Liverpool started to settle down and pushed forward with the intention to break the Palace backline and create something in the final third.
The link-up play between Mane and Tsimikas down the left wing had been decent, with the left-back constantly pressing high up the pitch and overlapping Mane, providing another option.
Tsimikas laid the ball off to Mane on the overlap, who then delivered a deep cross into the box that finds Henderson at the far post - The Liverpool skipper volleyed an effort towards the goal, but Guaita got across and made a great save from close range to deny him.
Zaha got past Konate and sprinted into the box after a ball in behind the Liverpool defence. The centre-back then seemed to lean in, made a contact with Zaha, who went down and appealed for a penalty. However, the referee waved away his appeal and nothing was given.
Ayew slid the ball through to Benteke, who evaded Van Dijk and raced through on goal, but he had Konate for the company and the centre-back does well to stay with him. Benteke managed to get an effort away at goal, but Konate got a touch on it and sends it wide of the Liverpool goal.
Liverpool pressed forward and Palace failed to clear the ball in their box, with Salah sliding it across to Thiago who fired a shot at goal from around the penalty spot.
However, Guehi went across and made a great block.
The hosts recycled it, but Salah's volley after a Tsimikas cross from the left was easily gathered by Guaita.
There was a beautiful play down the right-wing, with Mane finding Salah, who passed to Henderson and the Liverpool skipper spotted the run of Thiago in the box, who met his cross and powered a header towards goal.
However, Guaita made a great stop to deny him, but could not stop Jota from picking up the rebound, which should have a tap in from close range, but he somehow skies his effort high over the crossbar.
Minutes later, Tsimikas whipped a terrific corner into the box, which was met by Salah and he powered a header down towards the bottom right corner of the net, but Guaita made a superb save to deny him. However, Mane picked up the rebound and smashed it into the back of the net from just a few yards out – it was Mane’s hundredth goal for the Reds.
After the break, Salah and Henderson linked up well down the right-wing, with the Liverpool skipper getting forward on the overlap and he tried to find a teammate in the box, but his cross was well cut out and Palace cleared the danger.
Palace started to press and pushed the Reds to sit deep.
Jota fouled Gallagher right on the edge of the penalty area and Palace won a free-kick – a great opportunity to turn things around – the consistent pressure on the hosts should pay rich dividends.
Ayew stepped up to take a free-kick right on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area, but he did not get enough height on it and the ball was well blocked by the Liverpool wall.
Edouard, who has been directly involved in 21 goals in his last 24 league appearances (17 goals, 4 assists), netting twice on his Crystal Palace debut last time out – came in place of Benteke and he made an immediate impact.
Ward whipped a superb cross into the penalty area, which was met by an unmarked Edouard and he only had Alisson to beat. However, the striker's touch was poor and Alisson pounced on the mistake, smothering the ball before Edouard could get a shot away.
Liverpool answered the pressure through Salah.
Tsimikas whipped a corner in from the left-wing, which was met by the head of Van Dijk, but he could not turn it towards goal and it fell to Salah at the far post, who then only had Guaita to beat from a close range. The striker made no mistake with the finish, powering it into the back of the net.
With just one minute remaining of the normal time, Palace failed to clear their lines off a Liverpool corner, with Guaita punching the initial ball away, but it fell to Keita on the edge of the penalty area, who volleyed an effort towards the goal and it’s a terrific strike that flew straight into the back of the net.
And that was it - There could have been a few more goals, with Guaita forced into making several brilliant saves to deny Liverpool, but he couldn't prevent the goals, all of which came from corners.
Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 18/09/2021 Comprehensive victory for Liverpool
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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