Liverpool Climbs To Top Of Premier League Table
Senegalese international Sadio Mane scored his 100th goal for Liverpool in a 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Anfield, sending Jurgen Klopp’s side three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool started with Diogo Jota upfront, Supported by Mane and Mohamed Salah on the flanks. Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha were in the line up for Palace and Ivorian Zaha nearly gave the visitors the lead in the opening minutes. However, goalkeeper Alisson turned Zaha’s goalbound effort onto the post.
Moments later, Jota fired a shot well over the bar from four yards shortly before the Reds took the lead. Mane pounced on a rebound from Mohamed Salah’s header from a corner two minutes before halftime to score his 100th Liverpool goal.
In the second half, Liverpool dominated possession as they looked to extend the lead. New Palace striker Edouard was introduced and almost equalised when Martin Kelly’s cross found him in between James Milner and Ibrahim Konate. However, his heavy touch allowed Alisson time to recover.
Liverpool then extended its lead moments later when midfielder Jairo Riedewald allowed Salah a clear run from another corner to powerfully fire beyond goalkeeper Vicente Guaita from close range.
The hosts continued to press as there was still time for another goal and they were rewarded for their hardwork.
Naby Keita fired in a spectacular 20-yard volley from a Guaita punch in the final minute of normal time to seal the victory for Liverpool as they climbed to the top of the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp summed up Liverpool’s tricky afternoon after full-time by labelling the performance “one of the most hard-fought 3-0s” he had ever seen.
“We were not flying, we had to put out a proper performance. Our fans helped us, and I really liked it,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said. “When you look back at the end of the season, you look back at some games which were really fun, and others which were really important – this is one of those.”
“The Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday intensity is hard. These are the games you have to win, when you are not brilliant – good, but not brilliant – you have to win. The set pieces were outstanding today.”
Liverpool travel to Norwich in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, while their next Premier League match is away at Brentford next Saturday.
Premier League results
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Brentford
Burnley 0-1 Arsenal
Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace
Manchester City 0-0 Southampton
Norwich City 1-3 Watford
Aston Villa 3-0 Everton
Chidi Nwoke/Premier League.
