Liverpool put further pressure on title rivals Tottenham Hotspur with an astounding and comprehensive victory over Crystal Palace. Roberto Firmino continued his fine goal scoring form on from his goal against Spurs the weekend prior.
Crystal Palace went into the game buoyed by their point against Liverpool’s closest rivals for the title. Plus, seeing Mohamed salah’s name not on the starting 11 for the Merseyside club would have given a further psychological boost. But if there is one thing a club cannot do is underestimate the strength in depth of this Liverpool team. Something which Palace learned almost immediately.
3 and done
Liverpool went into the game, despite the lacking of Salah, with the impetus to take an early lead and followed through. The Egyptian’s replacement Minamino had an immediate impact, collecting the ball from Gini Wijnaldum, the diminutive Japanese international spawn and smashed a low effort into the bottom left hand corner.
This is what Liverpool fans want to see from Takumi Minamino!
He has his first Premier League goal for the club to give the Champions a brilliant start at Selhurst…
Great finish pic.twitter.com/IBff6xwaV2
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 19, 2020
However, the goal did not deter a spirited Crystal Palace side of from trying to find an immediate equaliser. Wilfried Zaha had an opportunity to run at a match change Liverpool defence considering their injury problems but was easily muscled out of the run by the deputizing Fabinho.
Zaha again was a threat down the left-hand and played a low enticing ball straight through the Liverpool defence and across the Red’s box however Jordan Ayew was unable to take the opportunity. Palace were the clearly dominant side in the match as it approached the halfway point of the first period, the match taking a very similar tone to when Spurs went a goal up at Palace last week.
Ayew again had an opportunity to get an equaliser for Palace, the Ghanaian striker ran down Liverpool’s right and found himself in a one-on-one situation with Alisson, Zaha was free in the centre and Ayew tried to find the Ivorian but played the ball behind him to the clear anger and frustration of Palace’s talisman.
Yet, despite all of Crystal Palace is pressure Liverpool took a two goal lead 10 minutes before half-time. Sadio Mane, who has faced some what’s of a goal scoring drought for Liverpool of late, smashed home a shot on the turn after being laid off by Roberto Firmino. Jurgen Klopp was seen celebrating enthusiastically, clearly understanding the weight of the goal considering Palace’s pressure prior to the strike 25.
Sadio Mané LOVES playing against Crystal Palace
He bags his customary goal against them… pic.twitter.com/diznseiNtV
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 19, 2020
The game seemed to be put to bed before the half-time whistle. A break from a Palace throw-in in Liverpool’s defensive third lead to Roberto Firmino tucking home a simple finish after a delightful touch from an Andrew Robertson cross.
That. Is. Class.
From back-to-front in blistering speed
This Liverpool side can hurt you in so many ways… pic.twitter.com/ToYihAUU7O
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 19, 2020
Put to bed
The second half started much like the first and any hope Crystal Palace had of getting back into the game was quickly put to rest. A fantastic ball out wide to Trent Alexander-Arnold, allowed the right full back to set up captain Jordan Henderson who curled a wonderous strike past the Palace keeper Guaita.
Yeah…This Liverpool team are quite good, aren’t they?
Jordan Henderson with another brilliant goal pic.twitter.com/6QRDIfFlho
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 19, 2020
Jurgen Klopp decided to bring off Sadio Mane before the 60th minute to the Senegalese international’s this pleasure. Clearly keen to score more goals, Mane gesticulated wildly as he left the field.
Liverpool continued to play on the break and soon the scoreline became 5. Mohamed Salah, who came on for the incessant Mane, was played through on the right, cutting inside he played a finessed ball over to Roberto Firmino who calmly dinked the ball over Guaita.
Despite the scoreline, one of the biggest pieces of news of the day was a return for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The former Arsenal midfielder has missed plenty of action since joining Liverpool due to knee injuries and returned to the pitch to the delight of Klopp.
The score would not remain at 5 however, a high ball into the box was won by Joel Matip who headed down for Mohamed Salah to head past the keeper. If there were any doubts about the quality of this Liverpool sides title challenge this season, this game certainly put that to bed. Further solidified by a 7th goal and second for Mohamed salah despite being on the pitch for just a portion of the game. A stunning curling effort into the top-left corner.
There are no words
Mo Salah makes it and this is the pick of the bunch pic.twitter.com/kph0gy8UNS
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 19, 2020
The massive win gave Liverpool a serious lead of 6 points at the top of the table and firmly put the pressure on Spurs who will not be able to afford dropping any points if they hope to catch a side seemingly finding their rhythm again.
Meanwhile, Palace remain where they are but their goal difference has taken a significant hit which in the bottom half of the table can be crucial in the fight for survival.
