Wednesday’s last gasp win over Tottenham Hotspur was impressive, but Liverpool’s 7-0 win at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace was statement-making. This week, as a whole, could go down as season-defining as Liverpool swept aside Jose Mourinho’s side before ruthlessly dispatching of Crystal Palace just days later to secure the Christmas top spot.
Jurgen Klopp’s side started as they meant to go on- scoring the first courtesy of Takumi Mimamino in the second minute. Palace then failed to take their chances, allowing Liverpool to punish their lack of clinical nature in front of goal. And the Reds dually obliged- scoring a further two goals before the end of the half through Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
In truth, that was that as far as the game was concerned; the second half should have been about damage limitation for Crystal Palace. Instead, it became the Liverpool show once more as goals from Jordan Henderson, Firmino and a brace from Mohamed Salah made it 7-0 to secure the Reds’ biggest ever away win in the Premier League.
Liverpool Smash Palace to Secure Christmas Top Spot
Minamino Finally Takes His Chance
As we approach January, there would have been many questioning Takumi Minamino’s worth in this Liverpool side before today’s game. And, in truth, his place was right to be of doubt. The former Salzburg man had failed to make his mark- even when being given a chance to do so.
Yet, there he was, handed the starting opportunity over Mohamed Salah by Jurgen Klopp. It could have so easily been another day to forget for the Japanese international. Crucially, however, it was anything but, and, just two minutes in, he finally had his goal.
The finish wasn’t bad, either, and one you would not associate with a player yet to score in the Premier League a year on from arriving. Instead, as the forward took the ball down before guiding it into the bottom corner so calmly, it was one you’d associate with a player who possessed the confidence of a clinical goalscorer.
The strike would have signalled relief from the Liverpool bench, and perhaps the loudest cheer of the day despite it being the first of many. The hope will now be to see Minamino kick on after scoring his first Premier League goal in the game against Crystal Palace.
Sadio Mane Ends Liverpool Goal Drought Against Crystal Palace
On this day, four years ago, Sadio Mane netted a stoppage-time winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton. Today, four years later, he was on the scoresheet once more to put an end to a ten-game goal drought.
The goal was a needed one, too, for Mane who was beginning to show signs of struggle when presented with the chance to score. You wouldn’t know it, however, when he swivelled before firing the ball into the bottom corner of the Crystal Palace goal to put Liverpool three goals to the good before the halftime whistle could even sound.
The winger’s goal, to add to Firmino and Minamino’s goals, meant that each member of the front three for the day had scored in the first half. Salah’s second-half brace meant that every member of the Liverpool attacking frontline had netted in the win.
Liverpool Send Message
The message from Liverpool after the win over Spurs would have been that ‘this is our title, and we’ll defend it no matter what’. But, the message sent courtesy of a 7-0 win over Crystal Palace was one much more fearsome from Liverpool.
It was one that suggests Jurgen Klopp’s side are still very much the best team in England until someone proves otherwise, and they will only get better as the season goes on, and as players make their return.
As the Reds tuck into their turkey on Christmas day, the win over Palace has ensured that they’ll be looking down on the rest of the Premier League- sitting pretty at the top.
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