Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool: Nketiah 90+5 pen; Mac Allister 40, Wirtz 54, Isak 89
Liverpool needed a response after defeats to Arsenal and Fenerbahce, and Andoni Iraola will be thrilled by how his side got it here. Three points, and some relief, after a difficult week.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League having now lost four league games in a row, and pressure is mounting on Pierre Sage.
Palace had shown enough promise in the opening half to suggest they could trouble the visitors. Their attacking play caused Liverpool problems, but poor defending at a crucial moment left them chasing the game.
The visitors started on the front foot and forced Dean Henderson into an early save from Alexis Mac Allister. Dominik Szoboszlai also tested the Palace goalkeeper, although his effort appeared to be heading wide.
Palace gradually found their rhythm and came close to taking the lead through Yeremy Pino. The winger collected a pass from Tyrick Mitchell before striking the crossbar with a powerful effort. He remained a threat from set-pieces, but Alisson Becker was able to deal with his next attempt.
Jorgen Strand Larsen thought he had put Palace ahead in the 33rd minute after a loose ball fell his way inside the area. However, the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
Daichi Kamada then forced Alisson into another sharp save with a well-struck volley. Palace were enjoying their best spell of the match, but Liverpool eventually found a way through.
Mac Allister broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after meeting a Szoboszlai free-kick with a header at the near post. Palace were left frustrated by the decision to award the set-piece, but their defensive failure gave Liverpool the advantage before half-time.
The hosts continued to threaten after the break, but Liverpool dealt with their attacks more effectively. Alisson also made important saves from Quinten Timber and Adam Wharton to protect his side’s lead.
Wirtz then delivered the decisive moment in the 54th minute. Liverpool broke down the right, and Bradley Barcola sent a low pass across the penalty area. The German midfielder arrived at the right time and finished first time into the bottom corner to score his first Premier League goal of the season.
The goal took the fight out of Palace, who struggled to create a response. Pino had another chance after Darío Osorio played him through, but Alisson came off his line and denied the winger. The Liverpool goalkeeper also stopped Jefferson Lerma from reducing the deficit.
Henderson kept Palace in the game with a save from Alexander Isak late on, but the Sweden striker eventually got his goal in the 89th minute. Wirtz helped set up the chance, and Isak finished from close range to make it three.
Palace managed a late consolation after Osorio and Milos Kerkez collided inside the area. Eddie Nketiah converted the resulting penalty in stoppage time, but their fate was already sealed.
