Liverpool's expensively-assembled attack finally clicked into gear in the second half at Crystal Palace, with Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola combining to secure a vital away win and end a run of nine games in 29 days.
The Reds' 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park on Sunday was their third successive away league win, having lost at Brentford, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace last season. They remain unbeaten away in the top flight under Andoni Iraola, with 13 points from a possible 15, compared to just five from five home games.
Attack finally clicks
During a tortuous first half, a lightning break left Liverpool with four players against three Palace defenders, but poor passes between Wirtz and Alexander Isak allowed the hosts to scramble clear. That has been the story for much of the season under Iraola, with the strikeforce rarely showing signs of clicking.
But patience was rewarded in the second half, with the previously poor Barcola, switched to the right flank, teeing up Wirtz for Liverpool's second before the Germany international turned creator for Isak's eighth goal of the season and fourth in successive away league matches.
The Reds remain among the least effective teams in the Premier League for creating big chances, but their tally of 14 goals is only one fewer than runaway leaders Arsenal.
Szoboszlai plays a part
Dominik Szoboszlai, starting alongside Alexis Mac Allister for only the third time in more than two months, unlocked the Palace defence five minutes before the interval. After Cody Gakpo's persistence won a free-kick down the right, Szoboszlai's pinpoint delivery to the near post invited Mac Allister to mark his 100th Premier League start for the Reds by heading beyond Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The Hungarian took a knock shortly before half-time and emerged after the break with heavy strapping around his right knee before eventually admitting defeat, but he had already played his part in the win.
Away form continues
Liverpool are now unbeaten in their last six league visits to London, and the victory at Crystal Palace, added to wins at Brentford, Bournemouth and Ipswich Town, means they are already more than halfway towards their overall tally of Premier League away triumphs last season.
The Reds go into the international break in the Champions League positions, with the visit of Manchester United in a fortnight representing the ideal opportunity to start transferring their away form to more regular surrounds.
