Jota earns Liverpool win at Palace but Reds lose Alisson to injury
Diogo Jota was on target as Liverpool secured top spot in the Premier League heading into the international break with a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
The Portuguese striker marked his 100th start for The Reds across all competitions with a poacher’s finish from Cody Gakpo’s pull back on nine minutes.
Liverpool were utterly dominant and Jota should have doubled their tally past the half hour but missed his kick from Ryan Gravenberch’s perfect pass.
The Merseysiders continued to boss proceedings in the second half but Jota and Mo Salah missed gilt-edged chances leading to a tense finale when goalkeeper Alisson went off with an injury late on.
Viteslav Jaros took to the field for his competitive debut but Palace could not find the opening to snatch a share of the spoils.
The Eagles felt they should have been awarded a penalty but Virgil van Dijk’s pull on Marc Guehi went unpunished.
The result sees Liverpool move four points clear at the summit ahead of the rest of the weekend’s action.
Palace are still winless after seven matches and remain in the bottom three.
Liverpool are next in action following the international break when they entertain Chelsea at Anfield. Crystal Palace visit Nottingham Forest.
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The Dutchman’s start to life at Liverpool just seems to get better and better with nine wins from his opening 10 matches at the helm.
This victory not only guarantees first place in the English top-flight for the next few weeks, but also sees him become the first Liverpool manager in history to win his first four away league games in charge and his opening five in all competitions (h/t Squawka).
There were two sides to this victory that point to Liverpool being serious contenders again this term. At times they were untouchable and should have racked up a raft of goals. But then they showed a steely version of themselves when Palace gave it a late push, surviving the adversity of seeing their No. 1 goalkeeper leave the pitch injured and easing through the final moments.
The big test will come after the international break when The Reds face Chelsea, RB Leipzig and Arsenal within a packed week, with a note of caution being that their only blip so far this season came in the aftermath of the pause for the September internationals.
Player of the match – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The central defender was imperious at the back, reading the game perfectly and offering the Palace forwards little to feed upon. The Dutchman was perhaps fortunate not to concede a second-half spot kick, but his classy defending, impeccable organisation and magnificent distribution saw him stand out as the game’s key protagonist.
Player ratings
CRYSTAL PALACE: Henderson 8, Munoz 5, Lacroix 7, Guehi 8, Chalobah 7, Mitchell 7, Lerma 6, Wharton 6, Eze 6, Nketiah 6, Sarr 6. Subs: Clyne 6, Hughes 7, Mateta 7, Kamada n/a.
LIVERPOOL: Alisson 7, Alexander-Arnold 7, Konate 8, Van Dijk 8*, Tsimikas 8, Jones 7, Mac Allister 7, Gravenberch 8, Salah 6, Gakpo 8, Jota 7. Subs: Szoboszlai 6, Diaz 6, Jaros 7, Robertson 6, Endo n/a.
Match Highlights
09’ – GOAL! – Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool: (Jota). Jota arrives at speed to convert Gakpo’s lovely, low ball into the middle after Tsimikas had opened Palace up down the left.
34’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Jota completely misses his kick from Gravenberch’s cut back after lovely work from the Dutchman and Salah on the right.
45+1’ – CRYSTAL PALACE CHANCE! Sarr turns on to a lovely through pass from Maxence Lacroix but sees his low strike from the right side of the area brilliantly kept out by Alisson.
57’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Van Dijk plays a peach of pass over the top for Salah who fails to beat Henderson with a poked effort.
62’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Jota contrives to nod a free header wide from TAA’s sumptuous free kick.
85’ – CRYSTAL PALACE CHANCE! Mateta leads a break down the middle and plays in Eze but he fires straight at Jaros from the left side of the box.
Key Stats
