LONDON, Nov 9: Liverpool returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Selhurst Park on Sunday, ending a difficult run of results and adding to the pressure on the struggling hosts.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak secured three points for the visitors, while Eddie Nketiah converted a stoppage-time penalty for Palace. The result gave Liverpool a much-needed response after consecutive defeats against Arsenal and Fenerbahce, while Palace suffered their fourth successive league loss.
Despite Liverpool controlling significant periods of the contest, Palace were far from passive. The home side created several promising opportunities, particularly during the opening half, and could have taken the lead before Mac Allister broke the deadlock.
The hosts came close in the 18th minute when Yeremy Pino struck the crossbar. Tyrick Mitchell had delivered the ball from the left, allowing Pino to meet it with a powerful effort that beat goalkeeper Alisson Becker but failed to find the net.
Liverpool also threatened early. Dominik Szoboszlai tested Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson with a long-range attempt, while defender Jeremy Jacquet headed wide following a set piece opportunity.
Palace continued to look dangerous through their attacking combinations. Jorgen Strand Larsen had an effort deflected wide and later appeared to have scored after connecting with a ball inside the penalty area. However, the goal was ruled out for offside following a review.
Daichi Kamada then produced another major opportunity for the home team. He met a delivery with a well-struck volley, but Alisson reacted quickly to push the ball away with an impressive save. The Brazilian goalkeeper’s intervention proved important as Liverpool went on to take the lead shortly afterwards.
The breakthrough arrived in the 40th minute. Liverpool won a free-kick in a dangerous position, and Szoboszlai delivered the ball into the penalty area. Mac Allister found space near the front post and directed a header beyond Henderson to put the visitors ahead.
The goal came at a crucial moment, particularly after Palace had enjoyed a strong spell and looked capable of taking control of the match. Liverpool went into the interval with a 1-0 advantage, although the hosts had reasons to believe they could still turn the contest around.
Palace started the second half with renewed intent and attempted to put Liverpool under pressure. Their attacking players moved the ball quickly around the visitors’ penalty area, but Liverpool remained organised and looked for opportunities to exploit spaces on the counter-attack.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 54th minute through Wirtz. Bradley Barcola accelerated down the right flank before sending a delivery into the penalty area. Wirtz arrived in space and finished calmly with a first-time effort, giving Henderson little opportunity to prevent the goal.
The second strike gave Liverpool greater control of the match. Palace continued to push forward, but the visitors defended their advantage and looked increasingly threatening whenever they recovered possession.
Barcola’s contribution was particularly important in the move that produced the second goal. His pace and direct running created the opening, while Wirtz showed composure to convert the opportunity.
Palace attempted to find a way back into the game through Pino and Nketiah. The hosts had another promising spell in the closing stages, but Liverpool’s defensive line and Alisson’s goalkeeping prevented them from reducing the deficit earlier.
One of Palace’s better opportunities came when Nketiah won possession high up the pitch and the ball reached substitute Dario Osorio. Osorio moved forward before laying it off for Pino, whose effort was blocked by Alisson. The goalkeeper then reacted quickly to deal with the follow-up danger.
Nketiah also received an opportunity after Adam Wharton played a clever ball over the Liverpool defence. The forward attempted to shoot from a tight angle but sent his effort over the crossbar.
Palace’s inability to convert those chances left them facing an increasingly difficult task. Liverpool, meanwhile, remained dangerous on the break and nearly extended their advantage before the final stages.
Henderson made an important save to deny Isak in a one on one situation after the striker exchanged passes with substitute Victor Muñoz. The Palace goalkeeper moved quickly off his line and kept the effort out, briefly giving the home side hope of mounting a late comeback.
However, Liverpool found their third goal in the 89th minute. A quick counter-attack involving Muñoz and Wirtz opened up the Palace defence. Wirtz supplied the ball to Isak, who finished from inside the penalty area. The effort took a deflection before beating Henderson and effectively settled the contest.
Palace managed to score a consolation goal in stoppage time. Osorio was brought down inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to award a spot-kick. Nketiah stepped forward and converted confidently in the 95th minute, giving the home supporters something to celebrate despite the result.
The late goal did little to change the outcome, as Liverpool had already established a two-goal cushion and saw out the remaining moments to secure victory.
For Liverpool, the result was significant beyond the three points. The team had entered the match under pressure following defeats against Arsenal and Fenerbahce, making a positive performance particularly important ahead of the international break.
The victory also highlighted the contribution of several key players. Mac Allister provided the breakthrough with his well-timed header, Wirtz scored and helped create Isak’s late goal, while Alisson made a series of important interventions to protect Liverpool’s lead.
The goalkeeper’s performance was especially influential during Palace’s strongest periods. His saves against Kamada and Wharton prevented the home side from taking the lead or drawing level, allowing Liverpool to maintain their advantage.
For Crystal Palace, the defeat raised further concerns about their position and defensive consistency. The team showed attacking promise and created enough opportunities to make the contest competitive, but their failure to take those chances proved costly.
The goals conceded from a set-piece situation and a quick attacking move also exposed areas that the coaching staff will need to address. Palace had worked hard to remain in the game during the first half, but Mac Allister’s goal changed the momentum. Wirtz’s strike shortly after the interval made the challenge even more difficult.
Liverpool’s performance was not without moments of vulnerability, particularly when Palace attacked with pace. However, the visitors demonstrated greater efficiency in front of goal and made their opportunities count.
The result moved Liverpool up to fourth place in the Premier League standings, according to the post-match report, while Palace remained at the bottom after another league setback.
With the international break approaching, Liverpool will look to use the victory as a platform to rebuild consistency when domestic football resumes. Palace, meanwhile, face the task of responding quickly and improving their results to prevent their difficult run from deepening.
Sunday’s match ultimately underlined the difference between taking chances and creating them. Crystal Palace produced several dangerous moments, but Liverpool’s clinical finishing and Alisson’s decisive saves ensured that the visitors left Selhurst Park with all three points.