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Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points with a controlled victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The hosts kicked off the match is furious fashion and found the back of the net in just 22 seconds after Ismaila Sarr slotted in Eddie Nketiah only for the striker to be caught offside.
In response, Liverpool netted the opener through a fine pass from Kostas Tsimikas who released Cody Gakpo down the left. He carried the ball to the box then picked out Diogo Jota for a simple side footed finish.
Liverpool could not convert their first half dominance into a second goal, thanks in part to some good saves from Dean Henderson, which left them vulnerable in the second 45 minutes.
Oliver Glasner made a couple of changes and introduced Jean-Philippe Mateta and Will Hughes who swung the momentum but Palace couldn’t find an equaliser and Liverpool clung on for the win.
Relive the action with our live blog below plus get the latest odds a predictions here:
Alisson underlines true origin of Liverpool’s title challenge - and their decision for the future
Alisson Becker remains the king of Selhurst Park, but if he and Virgil van Dijk showed what Liverpool’s title bid will be built on this season, a win at Crystal Palace was perhaps also another indication of why the Reds spent part of this summer looking at the future.
The last time the Eagles won at home against Liverpool was November 2014, long before the Brazilian arrived; on that occasion Mile Jedinak wrapped up the points with a free-kick sent past Simon Mignolet. In the decade since, the Merseyside club’s defence as a whole has gotten considerably better, as has the holder of the No.1 position.
Alisson underlines origin of Liverpool title challenge - and their future decision
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool: Diogo Jota scored the winner to keep Liverpool top of the league
Slot on Vitezslav Jaros’ debut:
“Really good. He had a good season and he won the league and cup with the team [Sturm Graz] in Austria [last season].
“He wanted to go [back this season] and have playing time. We said at a club like this we need a good third goalkeeper as well.
“It was a nice moment for him to make his debut for Liverpool.”
Liverpool top the table going into the international break
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: “Mostly for me it’s special.
“Players go to their national team and they think of the national team, but for me if I lose it is three to four days of being unhappy. I think my wife will be happy as she will have someone home who is happy.
“Really satisfied with how we started the season. It is a good start not only the results, but I liked our performance today.
“There was a period of the game we conceded free-kicks and that was a difficult period. For the last 10 minutes we kept the ball very well.”
Arne Slot issues update on Alisson hamstring injury
Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace in a testing encounter at Selhurst Park but suffered a big injury to their number one goalkeeper Alisson who limped off the pitch in the second half of their 1-0 win.
The Reds dominated the first 45 minutes with Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota impressing as the visitors controlled the tempo of the game before opening the scoring in the ninth minute through Jota’s side-footed finish.
Alisson was brought into the game after the break and denied Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah with some sharp reactionary saves before pulling up in pain having innocuously cleared a loose ball.
Arne Slot issues update on Alisson hamstring injury
The goalkeeper could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines
Full-time stats
The stats seem to show how Liverpool deserved to win the game but Crystal Palace came out firing after the break and they were the better side towards the end.
Liverpool’s victory keeps them top of the table over the international break.
Possession: Crystal Palace 32%-68% Liverpool
Shots: 9-16
Shots on target: 5-4
Touches in the opposition box: 9-28
Corners: 3-8
More from Van Dijk:
“We keep going and we keep working. We are never satisfied. We needed Alli [Alisson] twice, but that is what we try to avoid. Everyone is contributing to clean sheets.
“I think there is always expectations towards different teams - whatever the outside world thinks of us we don’t really care.
“We want to try challenge, compete, win and be successful.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, speaking to TNT Sports:
“It is hard to come here. The results over the years are tight and close.
“I think obviously we scored a fantastic goal. We could have done better in the second half, but we knew they’d come out with a bit of pressure on the ball.
“It ends our run on a high before the internationals.”
A great start for Slot
Liverpool have won 9 of their 10 games across all competitions under Arne Slot. That’s a record for a new Liverpool manager.
If you’re being critical as well, Liverpool don’t seem to have fully clicked under Slot. They just seem to know how to win.
FT Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
Full-time! Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
90+6 mins: There goes the final whistle and Liverpool get themselves over the line. Diogo Jota’s first half strike was enough to earn them the three points.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool win again but they were made to work for it in the second half by the hosts. Alisson’s injury could be a defining moment of the season but the result is the one the Reds wanted.
Crystal Palace will be pleased with their performance but it’s another defeat and their struggles continue.
