This was more like it for Liverpool! All the disappointment of the drab derby draw was washed away as the Reds cast aside Crystal Palace 4-0 at Anfield.
After a difficult scoreless draw last time out, the Reds looked like they had a renewed sense of purpose to close out the campaign. Playing in an empty Anfield must have been strange but clearly they had made adjustments after getting the first fixture out of the way.
Scoring two goals in each half doesn’t quite capture the domination on display. The first goal, as is so often the case, proved the most pivotal. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s beautifully struck set piece for the opener reminded the Reds of their mission and mentality.
By the break, Mohamed Salah pulled down a blissful ball over the top of Palace’s defence from Fabinho to fire Liverpool into a 2-0 lead.
The second half started as the first half ended with Liverpool looking to put the Eagles away early. Within ten minutes, Fabinho fired home a sledgehammer shot from just over 30 yards away similar to the one he scored against Manchester City, Palace capitulated.
With nearly 20 minutes left, Liverpool linked up the kind of sequence of play that showcased just how superior and unselfish they have been all season. Sadio Mane slid the ball to Roberto Firmino, who wheeled and sent it wide to Salah, who beat every defender with one touch before putting Mane clean through, and he provided the tidy finish. The Reds are back!
Here are four findings from the match.
