Liverpool ended a difficult week with a hard-earned 3-1 Premier League victory at struggling Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. Alexis Mac Allister headed the visitors in front five minutes before the interval, Florian Wirtz doubled the lead after the break, and Alexander Isak added a late third. Eddie Nketiah pulled a goal back with the last kick after a bizarre penalty decision.
Alisson Becker stars in narrow win
Alisson Becker was the standout performer, earning a 9/10 rating. He watched a Pino shot hit the bar early on, made superb saves to keep out Kamada and Wharton before the interval, and excelled in denying Pino when one-on-one in the second half.
Ronald Araujo earned 6/10 after a difficult opening half against the busy Pino, lacking quality going forward. He improved after the interval, was involved in the second goal, and was booked and substituted. Jeremy Jacquet also scored 6/10, kept busy by the awkward Strand Larsen but making one good block.
Midfield and attack ratings
Virgil van Dijk (6/10) denied Strand Larsen by putting his body on the line in the first half but was often pulled out of position. Milos Kerkez (6/10) was busy in both directions but would have benefited from more help from Barcola, and was unlucky to concede a penalty when seemingly headed in the face by Osorio.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10) saw his set-piece deliveries as Liverpool's most likely route to goal in the first half, with his free-kick setting up the opener. Alexis Mac Allister (8/10) put himself about in the engine room and scored a fine header for the opener, though he was booked.
Substitutes make an impact
Cody Gakpo (6/10) had one ball across the face of goal that deserved a finishing touch, and his persistence won the foul that prompted the first goal. Florian Wirtz (7/10) struggled to play decent passes in the first half but gained confidence with his finish for the second and set up the third. Bradley Barcola (5/10) blocked on a few runs, declined to track back for much of the first half, and sent one great chance into orbit before switching flanks and setting up the second. Alexander Isak (6/10) was barely involved in the first half and improved after the break, missing a great chance before scoring the third.
Among the substitutes, Trey Nyoni (for Szoboszlai 69) earned 7/10 for another impressive cameo, Victor Munoz (for Barcola 69) got 6/10 after picking up a needless booking for diving, and Rio Ngumoha (for Gakpo 76) made a couple of runs without end product. Lewis Koumas (for Isak 90+1) and Joe Gomez (for Araujo 90+1) came on late.
