Liverpool 4-0 Crystal Palace – Liverpool put in a champion worthy performance at Anfield to sweep aside Crystal Palace meaning that Liverpool could be crowned champions if Manchester City fail to win at Stamford Bridge.
First half:
Liverpool started much faster than they did in the Merseyside derby against Everton in the previous match and had an opportunity to score early on when the ball fell to midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, however; the Dutch midfielder scuffed his shot wide of the post missing a chance to give Liverpool the perfect start.
The opening stages of the game was all one way traffic in favour of the hosts Liverpool and this time it was striker Roberto Firmino who saw his shot comfortably saved by Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey as Firmino missed another opportunity to break his Premier League Anfield goal drought this season.
Liverpool’s early dominance was rewarded in the 23rd minute when right back Trent Alexander-Arnold took a fantastic free kick which found the back of the net nestling past Wayne Hennessey as the Liverpool right back scored his first Anfield goal since December 2017.
Liverpool then very nearly doubled their lead when skipper Jordan Henderson’s shot came back off the post and then the ball rebounded off Virgil Van Dijk but thankfully for Palace Joel Ward was on the line to clear the ball away for the corner. Liverpool at this point were looking in the mood to score many goals at this point.
Just before half time and Liverpool’s lead was doubled by Egyptian winger Mohammed Salah who was picked out excellently by Fabinho to get beyond Palace left back Patrick van Aanholt and finish expertly to give Liverpool a 2-0 lead going in to the break, a score line the first half dominance from the reds deserved.
Second half:
Liverpool rather strolled through early moments of the second half due to little to no threat from visitors Crystal Palace, and Liverpool then went on to add a third goal just 10 minutes in to the second half when Brazilian midfielder Fabinho unleashed a wonderful strike to put Liverpool 3-0 up as the reds were on course to maintain their 100% record at Anfield this season.
A little under 15 minutes later and Liverpool were 4-0 up thanks to Senegalese winger Sadio Mane who was put through by Salah and finished emphatically to give Liverpool a deserved 4-0 lead as the reds looked back their best in a wonderful footballing display against a below par Crystal Palace side on the day.
Liverpool saw out the final 20 minutes in comfortable fashion to make sure of an easy 4-0 and one step closer to ending the wait of 30 years without a Premier League title which has a possibility of being won when Liverpool travel to Manchester City on the 2nd July.
Full time
Man of the match:
Fabinho – The Brazilian holding midfielder put in a classy performance by bossing the midfield all game and capping off a fine display by a brilliant assist for Mohammed Salah and scoring a fantastic goal in an all-round brilliant display.
Fascinating facts:
This was Liverpool’s biggest win against Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Premier League since November 1992.
All of Mohammed Salah’s last 5 Premier League goals have come at Anfield.
All 3 of Fabinho’s Liverpool goals have come in wins at Anfield.
Sadio Mane has scored in each of his last 6 Premier League appearance he has made for Liverpool against Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace have lost only two away games in 2020 which have both been against both Merseyside clubs Liverpool (4-0), and Everton (3-1).
This is only the second time Crystal Palace have conceded 4 in a game this season with the other being a 4-0 defeat at Tottenham back in September.
Crystal Palace remain the last team to win at Anfield which was a 1-2 victory back in April 2017.
Talking points:
Liverpool looking back to their rampant best – Liverpool put in a relatively below par performance at Goodison Park in their return to Premier League action last week, however, a brilliant performance against Crystal Palace ensured the surely champions to be were back in to their best in their quest to win the Premier League.
Mohammed Salah and Andy Robertson’s returns vital – Liverpool went in to the Merseyside derby against Everton last week without left back Andy Robertson and top scorer Mohammed Salah and judging by this week’s performances, the return of these two men to the starting 11 was vitally important for the reds to get back to their best.
Fabinho runs the show – Brazilian midfielder Fabinho has been a key player for the reds this season in his holding midfield role and this performance may well have been his best this season getting a goal and an assist as well as completely dominating the game from start to finish.
Crystal Palace’s good form comes to an end – Of course all good things must come to an end and Eagles have been on a great run of form winning their last 4 games without even conceding a goal, however, today Crystal Palace never even managed to lay a glove on Liverpool and were thoroughly second best all day.
Wilfried Zaha early injury a major blow for Crystal Palace – Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has caused Liverpool some problems at Anfield in the past and Palace fans would have no doubt been hoping for more of the same in this match up against Trent Alexander-Arnold, however, the Eagles hope was dashed after Zaha was subbed off with injury after just 15 minutes which might well have thrown Roy Hodgson’s game plan out of the window, with Palace losing their main man.
Chelsea vs Manchester City game can now decide if Liverpool are crowned champions – Let’s face it, it’s a case of when not if Liverpool win the Premier League this season, the reds are just one win away from being crowned champions however, Liverpool can actually be confirmed as champions without even kicking a ball, if Manchester City fail to win at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, Liverpool’s 30 year wait for the Premier League title will be over. Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in 2016 confirmed Leicester City as champions and now Liverpool will be hoping a similar thing to happen at Stamford Bridge when Manchester City travel to the capital.
Sam’s match reports 