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Kick-off for this afternoon’s game at Selhurst Park is at 12.30pm.
Let’s get started with the team news.
📋 Today's #LFC team to face @CPFC... #CRYLIV 👉 https://t.co/6QyM6br7BC pic.twitter.com/zxYBT8W7pg
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 31, 2018
Here's the #CPFC 🦅 team to take on @LFC this afternoon.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 31, 2018
COME ON YOU PALACE! #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/JZcNkcbwZs
So, today’s teams are:
Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Wan Bissaka, Kelly, Sakho, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Townsend, Benteke, Zaha.
Subs: Loftus-Cheek, Lee, Cavalieri, Souare, Fosu-Mensah, Delaney, Riedewald.
Liverpool: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Subs: Clyne, Lovren, Moreno, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mignolet, Ings.
With Manchester City to come in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, the next two weeks is absolutely pivotal for Jurgen Klopp’s side on two fronts.
Selhurst Park. The starting point for a massive 10 days for #LFC pic.twitter.com/As22YDmUh1
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) March 31, 2018
📍 Selhurst Park pic.twitter.com/cmubaRDch1
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 31, 2018
So, how do we see this one going? Let us know below.
Poll Results:
Liverpool can equal Arsenal's record of the most top-flight away wins with victory at Crystal Palace this afternoon. The Reds are on 678 away wins, just one fewer than Arsenal’s record haul of 679.. #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/4PAGVm4CPT
— Chris Williams (@Chris78Williams) March 31, 2018
Here come the Reds... #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/5PZPZu3jf9
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 31, 2018
Almost set now, with a little over 10 minutes to go before kick-off. Selhurst Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool in years of late, but today could prove an exception against a Palace side which has just one win in their last eight Premier League games.
KICK-OFF: We’re underway at Selhurst Park!
The wait is over 🙌🏽
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 31, 2018
Who will emerge victorious in #CRYLIV? ➡️ https://t.co/Wj9t9Y9sqo pic.twitter.com/kr5Ysn4IWH
Christian Benteke with a lovely touch in the middle of the park there. It hardly led to anything of note, but it highlighted just how deep the Belgian striker has been forced to drop to get possession of the ball early doors.
He is one of four ex-Liverpool players in the Palace squad today, alongside Martin Kelly, Mamadou Sakho and (if only briefly) Diego Cavalieri.
Liverpool toying with their opponents so far, but Palace are really feeding off the energy from the crowd this afternoon. They haven’t stopped singing after almost seven minutes and their side do look like getting at a suspect Liverpool defence on the counter.
Whether or not they can stem the threat of Mane-Firmino-Salah for long enough to create their own chances in order to get something out of this game remains to be seen.
CHANCE! Ooooof that was so close for Palace. They really should have taken the lead there, but Loris Karius made a fine save.
Wilfried Zaha was played clean through with a lumped ball over the top. It was very much route one football, but the forward did brilliantly to take the ball down and bear down on goal.
With a one on one opportunity at his mercy, Zaha could only strike his effort more or less right at Karius, who deflected it over with a good stop.
Another chance! But this time it’s at the other end. A corner kick finds Virgil van Dijk completely untracked inside the penalty area. With a free header on goal, the Dutch centre back missed the target completely and headed wide.
PENALTY! Crystal Palace have been given a penalty as Loris Karius takes down Zaha inside the box.
GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 1-0 LIVERPOOL
MAN LIKE SERBIAAAAAA!!
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 31, 2018
[1-0] #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/GNqSuRVzH2
Luka Milivojevic tucks the penalty away into the lefthand corner and Palace are ahead after just 13 minutes.
Roy Hodgson watched on and allowed himself a miniature fist pump as the ball swept past Karius. The German goalkeeper did so well to deny Zaha, only to bring him down and earn a yellow card for his troubles. Disaster for the Reds.
Alexander-Arnold fast asleep again, Karius takes out Zaha. Palace take the lead from the spot.. #CRYLIV
— Chris Williams (@Chris78Williams) March 31, 2018
It so easily could have been Liverpool ahead moments before.
More annoying is that the goal came just seconds after van Dijk's header from the corner. Game of inches.
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) March 31, 2018
🎯 No stopping that! #CRYLIV #bbcfootball https://t.co/5wAno0yXTv pic.twitter.com/I8uVaqB9zF
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 31, 2018
Liverpool have been dealt an early, early set-back and as a result have been forced to react.
Klopp’s side seemed easy-going and relaxed inside the opening 10 minutes but now have a renewed sense of urgency about their play, as they hurl the ball forward a lot quicker than before via that potent front three.
The Palace fans continue to sing in fine voice, almost as if they know how much Liverpool hate playing here.
📸 Luka Milivojevic has scored more penalties than any other player in the #PL this season (7) 👑
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 31, 2018
Crystal Palace 1-0 Liverpool (23 mins)#CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/kWn2kk1mE8
Penalty claim! But it’s not given… In fact, Sadio Mane is booked for simulation by Neil Swarbrick. The Liverpool forward goes down amid a challenge from James McArthur inside the box, but the referee says Mane made a meal of it and that there wasn’t enough contact to go down.
Mane's dive shows what a difficult job being a referee is - players cheating and seconds to make the right call. That correct call by Swarbrick will get far less praise/coverage than if he had got it wrong.
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) March 31, 2018
Liverpool have the ball in the back of the net… but it won’t count. Sadio Mane nudges a header beyond the fingertips of Wayne Hennessey following a corner, but he’s ruled out for offside. A frustrating few minutes for the forward.
30: Mane's back-post header finds the back of the net but the goal is ruled offside.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 31, 2018
[1-0]#CRYLIV
Another chance for Liverpool. A pair of crosses causes havoc inside the box, the second of which came from the boot of 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold, however a handful of headers sees the danger away for Palace eventually.
The young England defender is doing well getting forward, but has been a little bit nervous at the other end in terms of his defensive duties trying to keep Wilfried Zaha quiet. A difficult task, it must be said, for any defender.
Liverpool still pressing forward but Palace’s organisation and resilience is quite admirable this afternoon. They are quick to every challenge and not allowing their opponents time to rest on the ball, or the time needed to spot chinks in their armour.
Liverpool have had nine attempts on goal to Palace’s two as we approach half-time, but the visitors simply haven’t been able to make them count just yet.
They are having success from set pieces and down the right wing getting crosses into the box, but none of Salah, Mane or Firmino have been able to get the ball out of their feet in order to run at defenders so far.
Wayne Hennessey with a fine, fine save following a header from Sadio Mane again following a corner kick. The Welsh shot-stopper easily could have been caught wrong-footed, but did well to get down low and extend an arm to bat the ball away. Great stop.
There will be two minutes of stoppage time to come at the end of the first half.
HALF-TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 1-0 LIVERPOOL
#LFC trail at the break. https://t.co/6QyM6br7BC pic.twitter.com/kf7qtKAiZW
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 31, 2018
Luka's penalty separates the sides in SE25.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 31, 2018
[1-0] #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/9HvMftXj1Y
A ruthless spot-kick is the difference...#CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/lIuLoPvK4O
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 31, 2018
Well, what did we make of that? Liverpool, perhaps to many’s surprise, trail Palace at the break.
They have looked largely in control so far in terms of possession and attempts on goal, however it must be argued that the hosts have been the better side in terms of their own individual game plan.
Luka Milivojevic tucked away a 13th minute penalty following a howler of a foul from Loris Karius on Wilfried Zaha and ever since Roy Hodgson’s side have been pretty compact and resilient at the back to shut the Reds out and keep them at bay.
Are they on course for all three points, or will Liverpool respond? Time will tell…
SECOND-HALF: We’re back underway for another 45 minutes.
An early chance for Palace to double their lead. Former Reds man Benteke did well to hold the ball up but the final ball was overplayed and failed to pick out James McArthur, who was peeling away unmarked in the final third.
GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 1-1 LIVERPOOL (MANE 49)
GET IN!!!! GAME ON!
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 31, 2018
[1-1] pic.twitter.com/41KhfgJO0c
A perfect response from Liverpool and a perfect start to the second half. Sadio Mane enjoyed a tough time of it in the opening 45 minutes, but now has his side level with what can only be described as a classy™ finish.
James Milner resurrected possession inside the box following a cross towards the back post. His low cross was met by Mane at the front post as he managed to flick the ball past Wayne Hennessey with ease. We’re all square.
Sadio Mané has now scored more Premier League goals (5) against Crystal Palace than any other side; scoring in both games this season.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 31, 2018
Something finally goes right. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/VmPG1flRKG
Liverpool have a renewed sense of confidence now as they surge forward with speed and precision at every given opportunity. Palace had done so well to keep them out, but something had to give eventually with the quality Klopp has at his disposal up front.
The visitors sense three points up for grabs here now.
CHANCE! And another! Oh goodness me. Christian Benteke with two dreadful misses in a row. The first he attempted to dip into the top corner with Karius slightly off his line, only to balloon his effort wide.
An opportunity to redeem himself came right away with a quick break. Andros Townsend did brilliantly to cut inside and lay the ball off to Benteke inside the box.
But with the goal at his mercy the Belgian scuffed his shot again, and drove it flying over the bar.
Sadio Mane, on a yellow card, handles the ball along the ground but is not given a second booking. Mane thought he himself was fouled, grabbed hold of the ball along the ground, but is let off. Very strange.
60: Mane gives away a free kick with a deliberate handball! No yellow...
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 31, 2018
[1-1] #CRYLIV
Substitution for Liverpool: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Sadio Mane.
Substitution for Liverpool: Adam Lallana replaces Georginio Wijnaldum.
Christian Benteke’s Premier League performances this season. pic.twitter.com/qnBb3bM0pR
— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) March 31, 2018
Adam Lallana is only on the pitch three minutes, however the player has taken a serious knock which means he himself will be replaced by Dejan Lovren.
Lallana has been plagued by injury woes this season and has only started one Premier League game all campaign. Worrying scenes as he is brought off to the applause of the Selhurst Park crowd.
69: #LFC are forced into making a change as Lallana picks up an injury. Lovren will be his replacement.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 31, 2018
[1-1]#CRYLIV
Substitution for Crystal Palace: Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaces Yohan Cabaye.
Almost a chance for Palace to re-gain the lead. Great work down the left wing saw the ball dropped onto the chest of Andros Townsend.
But the winger couldn’t get the ball down in space in order to get his shot away. Liverpool bodies flooded in front of him and booted the ball away.
While it looked initially like the visitors would go from strength to strength after Mane’s equaliser, now the game looks a lot more evenly balanced. It could go either way…
A pair of chances comes and goes for Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold is performing excellently along the right wing, providing dangerous cross after dangerous cross into the box.
The problem for Jurgen Klopp is that there seems to be no man on hand to tap the ball in from close range. Mohamed Salah came close, but couldn’t get a foot to the ball for what would be his 29th Premier League goal of the season in 32 games.
GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 1-2 LIVERPOOL (SALAH 84)
GGGGGGOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! SSAAAAALLLLLLAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 31, 2018
[1-2] pic.twitter.com/JifwB8u7dS
Liverpool are ahead and Mohamed Salah simply cannot stop scoring!
A cross into the box was taken down expertly by the forward, he found a tiny of pocket of space to get his shot off and slammed a brilliant finish into Wayne Hennessey’s far corner.
Poacher’s instinct from Salah and Liverpool are ahead for the first time this afternoon with five minutes to go.
Take a bow Liverpool's Mo Salah. https://t.co/RujPkBg1EY pic.twitter.com/pLHRvYi2Ax
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) March 31, 2018
Substitution for Crystal Palace: Timothy Fosu-Mensah replaces Aaron-Wan Bissaka.
87: Palace sub - Fosu-Mensah replaces Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 31, 2018
[1-2] #CRYLIV
There will be four minutes of stoppage time to come at the end of the second half.
Mohamed Salah has scored his 37th goal in all comps this season
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) March 31, 2018
Only Ian Rush (1983-84 & 1986-87) and Roger Hunt (1961-62) have scored more goals for Liverpool in a single campaign pic.twitter.com/d6VHi398Os
FULL-TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 1-2 LIVERPOOL
Goals from Mane and Salah secure all 3️⃣ points for the Reds. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/eSyKILFfyJ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 31, 2018
Late but great from @LFC's @22mosalah#CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/yACPjqo3VA
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 31, 2018
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