In a match that surprised everyone, the Reds reasserted their seven-point lead atop the table. In a match that saw far more goals than expected, Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 4-3 at Anfield.
For all the possession and control Liverpool exerted from the start, they found themselves down by a single sucker-punch goal at halftime. Crystal Palace dropped deep and spent most of the first half in their own end. Yet Liverpool struggled to break the Eagles down despite creating chances.
The fact that the Crystal Palace’s counter-attack came immediately on the back of a handled ball and penalty shout in their own end only served to make conceding more frustrating.
However, Liverpool started the second half even brighter than they had opened the match. Inside the first ten minutes, the Reds had not just equalised but taken a lead. Unfortunately, the siege that they waged against the visitors almost occurred too quickly.
Liverpool looked caught between two modes. With their patchwork defence, they lacked the confidence to lock the match down with the lead. Still, the surge also ceased slightly. So when Palace struck from a corner kick to pull level, nerves were tested.
Eventually, the Reds would take things to another level to ensure a victory. Two late extra-time goals form each side made the scoreline look more interesting but Liverpool has all but finished the Londoners when they surrendered their surprising third goal.
Here are four findings from the match.
