CRYSTAL PALACE LOSE 2-4 TO LIVERPOOL AT HOME

Crystal Palace crashed to the Reds at home in a keenly contested game in the Premier League.


The highly entertaining affair saw five goals enter the nets in just the first half. Defensive concerns and the strong attacking prowess of both sides made the game one to watch. A new record was set as five goals were scored before the break – making it the most in a first half this term in the Premier League.

Emre Can got the first goal in the 16th minute, but James McArthur quickly got the equalizer for the hosts. Dejan Lovren put Liverpool ahead in the 21st minute and McArthur got another equalizer in the 33rd minute, setting the mood early for an interesting clash. McArthur became the second Crystal Palace player to score two headers in the same Premier League game. Liverpool showed their superiority when Joel Matip got the third just before the recess.

After the break, Roberto Firmino scored the fourth to put the game beyond Palace. The victory ensured Liverpool secured their fifth in six league games. They share the same points with log leaders Manchester City and Arsenal. The only difference being the goals difference. Liverpool’s attack has been impressive – with Philippe Coutinho playing a key role – but the team has still not gotten their affairs at the back in order yet. Lovren allowed McArthur get two goals twice in a space of minutes.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp succinctly put this in his comments after the game. He said:

“In the first 15 minutes, we were not really at 100% then in the half an hour we created chance after chance. It was a close game and a deserved win at the end. I’m a very happy man.

“The defensive error we made for the first goal is because we are not at the limit of our concentration. The aggressiveness was not there at the start of the game. But I saw a lot of wonderful things offensively.”