Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace for Saturday’s early kick off knowing that a victory will keep them at the top of the Premier League table.
Five wins and one defeat from their opening six matches mean Arne Slot’s side have a one point lead over current champions Manchester City and last season’s runners-up Arsenal. Liverpool secured three points against Wolves in their last league fixture thanks to a Mo Salah penalty in the second half.
“Everyone is realistic enough, all the players they understand that six games into the season doesn’t give you a realistic view on the league table,” Slot said.
Crystal Palace will certainly be hoping that is the case. The Eagles sit 18th in the table having not managed a single win in the top flight so far. An encouraging 0-0 draw with Man Utd was followed by a heart-breaking 2-1 loss to Everton as the Toffees came from behind to triumph at Goodison Park. Will Palace fare better against a different Merseyside club today?
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HT Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
Here’s a little insight into Liverpool’s control.
They’ve had 73% possession and have created eight attempts at goal. In comparison, Palace have had one shot though it was on target.
That came in added time through Ismaila Sarr.
Liverpool can improve in the final third, only two of their eight chances were on target and if that improves then things could get messy for Palace.
HT Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
A solid half from Liverpool with Diogo Jota sending the visitors ahead. Can they see out this game in the second half?
Half-time! Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
45+2 mins: A lovely first half for Liverpool despite conceding a goal that eventually got chalked off. Palace had a chance to equalise right at the end of the half as Ismaila Sarr drew a stop out of Alisson.
Diogo Jota’s goal is the only difference as it stands with Liverpool dominating most of the proceedings.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
45 mins: Just the two minutes to play before half-time. The good news for Palace is that they’re only down by one goal and are still in the match.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
42 mins: A fine pass out wide to Mo Salah gets Liverpool high up the pitch once again. Salah lays the ball back to Alexander-Arnold who knocks it across to Mac Allister.
He lays it off to Tsimikas who runs onto a first time shot and drills an effort at goal which is deflected out of play.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
39 mins: Liverpool continue to be inventive. They work their way down the left and find Gakpo. He flicks a pass into the box as Mac Allister darts in behind Guehi.
The defender stands tall and turns the ball behind for a corner.
Virgil van Dijk is the target this time and runs towards the near post. He wins the header but sends the effort over the top.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
36 mins: Miss!
A quick transition from Liverpool sees them pick out Mo Salah on the right side of the pitch. He carries the ball up to the penalty area and combines with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The right-back takes the ball into the box and passes to Diogo Jota who attempts a simple side footed effort but gets it all wrong and turns the ball well wide of the target.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
33 mins: Curtis Jones is given a warning from the referee after a heavy tackle in the middle of the pitch and avoids any harsh punishment.
Instead Eze floats a free kick into the penalty area and wins a corner as the Liverpool defence flick the ball out of play. Eze is on set piece duty once again but can’t find a teammate.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
30 mins: Half an hour played at Selhurst Park and Liverpool have already had five corners with the most recent being easily dealt with once more.
There’s a dynamic and intense feel to Liverpool’s play, it’s almost as though they want to smother Palace and give them no time to think or operate.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
27 mins: Joe Cole on TNT Sports punditry says that Crystal Palace need to do something different or else the game will run away from them.
He’s right, Liverpool are dominating possession and Palace can barely hold onto the ball for more than a minute or two. Trent Alexander-Arnold shoots and draws a low save out of Dean Henderson.
Source: independent.co.uk