Jurgen Klopp will certainly have enjoyed Liverpool's three points at Crystal Palace this afternoon.
After watching Manchester City's relentless winning run come to an end at the hands of Southampton on Saturday evening, the Reds' boss would have known all too well that this was a must-win game.
And that is exactly what his group of players managed to do at Selhurst Park, with goals from Virgil van Dijk, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho moving Liverpool to within nine points of the league leaders (with a game in hand).
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Klopp was treated to one of the finest performances of his Liverpool tenure at the home of Palace last season, waltzing to a record 7-0 away win in December 2020.
The one downside to this extraordinary triumph was that there were no away supporters present to witness this display due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the travelling Reds were in attendance on this occasion in south London.
Making this visit to the capital all the more memorable for Liverpool fans, Klopp decided to surprise a group of individuals after the full-time whistle with a welcome gesture.
Stepping off the first-team coach, a video captured by Reds supporter Amar Kanwal shows the 54-year-old handing out two bottles of Peroni beer before making his way back onto the bus.
Liverpool have now lost just one of their last 17 matches in all competitions and have renewed hope that the title race may not yet be over.
But Klopp's side will have to continue this level of consistency from now until May to stand any chance of overtaking City.
