Florian Wirtz scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park, with Alexis Mac Allister and Alexander Isak also on target. The result dropped Palace to 20th in the Premier League table.
The Reds travelled to Selhurst Park after back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Fenerbahce. They were indebted to goalkeeper Alisson in the first half, who made several fine saves before Mac Allister headed Iraola's men in front from a free-kick before the break.
Wirtz and Isak seal the win
Florian Wirtz finished from Bradley Barcola's cross in a clinical counter-attack to make it 2-0 after 54 minutes. Alexander Isak added Liverpool's third goal of the afternoon in the final minute of normal time.
Eddie Nketiah denied the visitors a clean sheet with a stoppage-time penalty, beating Alisson from the spot after Milos Kerkez was ruled guilty of a foul inside the box. The 3-1 victory means Liverpool go into the international break fourth in the table, three points behind third-placed Manchester City.
Player ratings
Alisson - 9
Great save to deny Daichi Kamada's volley and then saved well from Adam Wharton's header. Did well to claim several crosses and was sublime off his line to deny Yeremy Pino at 2-0. Comfortably Liverpool's best player and would have deserved his clean sheet but for a contentious penalty decision.
Ronald Araujo - 6
Booked for a wild tackle on the stretch as he chased his own first touch, which was symptomatic of a poor first 45 minutes in attack and defence. But was great in the build-up to Wirtz's goal and defended solidly once Liverpool had a lead to defend, thwarting goalscorer Nketiah in one chance.
Jeremy Jacquet - 6
Fortunate Yeremy Pino's effort hit the crossbar after leaving the forward in space but generally defended spaces well and wasn't phased by the strength of Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Virgil van Dijk - 6
One good block on Strand Larsen whom he tussled repeatedly with in a busy first half. Was a more comfortable afternoon in the second half although he didn't leave the pitch with a clean sheet.
Milos Kerkez - 6
Defended well and generally untroubled at the back. But took one absolutely terrible first-half corner and his attacking side of the game is still below par. Incredibly unfortunate to concede a stoppage-time penalty.
Alexis Mac Allister - 7
Tested the goalkeeper inside 20 seconds and headed a Szoboszlai free-kick just wide in the 11th minute. Then found space to head Liverpool in front. Better yet, a brilliant block immediately afterwards to deny Quinten Timber at the other end. Booked for a late fracas with Jefferson Lerma.
Dominik Szoboszlai - 6
Some great set-pieces and a trademark long-range strike forced a good save from Dean Henderson. It was his free-kick Mac Allister scored from. Wore a knee brace in the second half after a knock before half-time.
Florian Wirtz - 7
Good pass into Barcola and then had a shot deflected over the crossbar all in one move. But moments of quality like that were too sparse from the German before half-time, until he made a good run and applied a good finish to double the lead nine minutes after the break. Denied a second late on by Henderson before selflessly assisting Isak's goal.
Cody Gakpo - 6
Needed a team-mate to show more goalscoring instinct when he put the ball dangerously across the six-yard box and won the free-kick that Liverpool went 1-0 up from.
Bradley Barcola - 6
A really poor first half in which he wasted Liverpool's best chance from open play with a horrible volley that he skied into the stratosphere. But moved to the right wing in the second half and provided an excellent assist for Wirtz to make it 2-0. Defended better on the right too. Booked.
Alexander Isak - 6
Too often guilty of poor decision-making which ruined a few first-half attacks. Barely touched the ball in the second half until being put in one-on-one by Munoz. Should have scored but was denied by Henderson. Made amends a few moments later with Liverpool's late third.
Substitutes
Victor Munoz (Barcola 69') - 6
Offered fresh legs down the right wing. Booked for a blatant dive, which he's marked down for. Should have had an assist for Isak but great work for the late third.
Trey Nyoni (Szoboszlai 69') - 6
Brought on to offer more midfield control and had some good moments.
Rio Ngumoha (Gakpo 76') - N/A
More fresh legs. Had one late shot on target.
Lewis Koumas (Isak 90+1') - N/A
Joe Gomez (Araujo 90+1') - N/A
