Jurgen Klopp’s Reds moved up to second place in the embryonic Premier League table thanks to a battling win at Crystal Palace.
Goals from James Milner and Sadio Mane clinched a 2-0 victory at 10-man Crystal Palace as Liverpool maintained their 100 per cent record at the start of the new Premier League season.
The visitors had won on their last three visits to Selhurst Park but struggled on this occasion to open up the determined Eagles, managed by former Liverpool and England boss Roy Hodgson, in Monday’s clash.
However, Milner crucially converted from the penalty spot after a foul on Mohamed Salah at the end of the first half, with Mane’s breakaway goal wrapping up the points deep into stoppage time.
Palace opened their campaign by winning at Fulham but never looked likely to equalise after falling behind, especially once the otherwise outstanding Aaron Wan-Bissaka saw red for a clumsy foul on Salah, with Jurgen Klopp’s men looking on track for a title challenge.
Liverpool thought they had scored in the 21st minute as Wayne Hennessey inadvertently threw the ball in his own net, but referee Michael Oliver gave a foul for Mane’s challenge on the Wales goalkeeper, who also collided with team-mate Wan-Bissaka in mid-air.
Naby Keita sent Salah racing clear but while last season’s Golden Boot winner collected the ball neatly, his lobbed finish easily cleared the crossbar. Andros Townsend was closer at the other end, though, seeing a 30-yard curler crash back off the woodwork.
But Liverpool took the lead on the stroke of half-time, Milner confidently tucking home a penalty when former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho was adjudged to have tripped Salah in the box.
Luka Milivojevic’s free-kick forced a flying save from Alisson early in the second half, but hopes of a home fightback were extinguished with 15 minutes to go when Wan-Bissaka walked for bumping over Salah as the Egypt international raced through on goal.
And Palace were duly caught out in the 93rd minute, Salah sending Mane through as Liverpool countered from defending a corner, the Senegal forward holding off Patrick van Aanholt before rounding Hennessey to tuck in his sixth goal in eight games against the Eagles.
What does it mean: Reds look serious contenders
Liverpool dropped too many points on the road last season, a mediocre away record costing them dearly as Manchester City romped to the title.
But, bolstered by the arrival of midfield dynamo Keita, Klopp’s men held Palace at bay as they demonstrated the steely edge that is required to contend. Palace lacked a goal threat but a top-half finish does not look beyond Hodgson’s well-organised side, despite slipping to defeat in their home opener.
Pat on the back: Reliable Milner hits the spot
Salah’s stardust overshadows his team-mates but it was Milner’s penalty that put Liverpool on course for what could be a vital three points in the final reckoning. The midfielder, who kept club captain Jordan Henderson on the bench and wore the armband, has scored eight consecutive Premier League goals from penalties – setting a record – and recorded a passing accuracy of 91.8 per cent.
Boot up the backside: Benteke blunt for Eagles
Supported by flying wingers Townsend and Zaha, Christian Benteke needed to hold the ball up and set a platform for Palace to attack. Instead, the ex-Liverpool striker, who only scored three Premier League goals last term, was dominated in the air by Virgil van Dijk before being replaced by Alexander Sorloth.
What’s next?
Liverpool return home for a Saturday fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion, who beat Manchester United last time out, while Palace make the short trip to Watford – Javi Gracia’s men have two wins from two – the following day.
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