Liverpool came from behind to beat Crystal Palace on Saturday to move another step closer towards Champions League qualification, as well as denting their opponents’ survival hopes.
It didn’t start well for the Reds – just 12 minutes had been played when Loris Karius recklessly hauled down Palace winger Wilfried Zaha which resulted in a penalty for the home side. Luka Milivojevic slotted home the resultant penalty.
Liverpool winger Sadio Mane was then was booked for simulation, as the visitors’ frustration began to subside.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side came rushing out of the blocks in the second half and drew level when James Milner’s cross was turned in by Mane. From that point on though, it was the Eagles who took control of the contest – with the visitors beginning to lose their momentum on the game.
But the boisterous Selhurst Park was silenced late on after Andy Robertson’s cross found Mohamed Salah in the box, and the Egyptian rifled home past Wayne Hennessey to put Liverpool ahead for the first time in the contest.
The Reds held on for a vital win, which takes them 10 points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea. How did the players fare? Here are our ratings.
Loris Karius: 6.5
Recklessly brought down Zaha for the hosts’ penalty – which was converted duly by Milivojevic, but thereafter Karius was fairly reliable and made a fine stop from Patrick van Aanholt’s free-kick as well as foiling the Ivorian prior to Palace’s penalty.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6
Alexander-Arnold’s defensive side hasn’t been reliable for most of this season – therefore Hodgson’s side deployed the same tactics on the local lad that Manchester United did a few weeks ago.
He was targeted endlessly by Zaha, and was tormented at times in the first half. However, the 19-year-old did improve in the second half and delivered some threatening crosses.
Joel Matip: 6
Matip, who was one of Liverpool’s standout performers last season, has seen his stock decrease heavily from last season. In fact, at the moment, he is not looking more reliable than the much-maligned Dejan Lovren.
Throughout, the Cameroonian was sloppy and his poor positioning left the visitors vulnerable whenever the Eagles poured forward.
Virgil van Dijk: 6.5
In contrast to his central defensive partner, van Dijk fared better in South London. Throughout, he dealt with the physical presence of Benteke fairly well.
Andrew Robertson: 7.5
It was another brilliant day at the office for Robertson, whose Liverpool career continues to go from strength to strength. He was consistently fantastic throughout, even in the first half he always looked to cause the hosts problems. Bagged himself the assist he truly deserved for Salah’s late winner.
Jordan Henderson: 6
Fresh from some decent performances on international duty for England, Henderson’s performance on Saturday was by no means his most effective – but he worked hard in the middle of the park even if his passing was sloppy from time to time.
James Milner: 6.5
The best out of the midfield bunch which was severely devoid of creativity or industry throughout. Milner’s performances have gone under the radar this season, but there is no doubt that his assist contribution as well as professionalism does exude importance to the side.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 5
You could copy and paste every rating for Wijnaldum during every one of Liverpool’s away games this season – that’s how consistently anonymous the Dutchman has been on the Reds’ travels.
Even though the 26-year-old was returning from an illness recently, there cannot be any excuses for his poor and non-existent away performances this season.
Sadio Mane: 6
It was a very mixed day at the office for Mane, who came on leaps and bounds for Klopp’s side.
He was booked, somewhat fortuitously, in the first half for simulation – and was probably fortunate to be on the pitch in the second half following a deliberate handball. However, the Senegalese did pop up with the vital equaliser early in the second half.
Roberto Firmino: 6
One of Firmino’s less influential days, even though the work rate was there again.
Mohamed Salah: 6.5
After his magnificent display against Watford just a fortnight ago, Salah’s performance on Saturday was somewhat peripheral – as he had less space to operate in.
However, he sparked into life after the tactical change – and took his goal expertly to seal the win for Liverpool.
Substitutes - Adam Lallana: N/A
Lallana was brought on at the expense of Wijnaldum late on. However, he barely lasted five minutes on the field after hobbling off with a suspected muscle injury – and had to be substituted off for Dejan Lovren. Injuries continue to decimate his campaign further.
Substitutes - Dejan Lovren: 6
Was introduced to a back three and coped fairly well as Liverpool successfully defended their lead.
Substitutes - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7
Chamberlain was brought on to the field at the expense of Mane, with Klopp fearing about a potential second yellow for the latter. The Englishman did a fine job in midfield, offering more balance as well as attacking threat.