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Darren Staples
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v Crystal Palace, Man United v Brighton, Premier League

Liverpool faced Crystal Palace and Man United taking on Brighton on a busy day of Premier League action.

Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Kick off for both games is at 3pm.

Confirmation of today’s teams for the game at Old Trafford.

“You had lads like Michael Owen and Stevie Gerrard in the same team as you who were unbelievable players.”

If you’re bored waiting for today’s games to begin, check out our long-read with former Liverpool player Richie Partridge here.

So we’ll primarily be following the Liverpool game today, while keeping a very close eye on Man United-Brighton.

You can also keep track of all today’s other Premier League games here.

LIVERPOOL 2-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (FIRMINO 53)

We’re under way at Anfield…

As expected, Palace are approaching this game cautiously with a 4-5-1 f0rmation.

Injuries to other goalkeepers means 39-year-old third-choice stopper Julián Speroni starts for the visitors today.

Speroni makes a good stop to deny Fabinho after good work in the build-up from James Milner.

Moments later, the goalkeeper is forced to punch away a corner.

Not too much to report on so far at Old Trafford.

Ireland international Shane Duffy does well to block a Pogba free kick with the type of block he makes so often over the course of a season.

Firmino is the latest player to try his luck for Liverpool.

His curled effort from the edge of the area sails over the bar.

Duffy goes close for Brighton but his header is saved by De Gea.

The visitors have made a decent start at Old Trafford.

Mane tries to play through Salah but his pass is overhit.

Liverpool haven’t quite clicked yet against Palace’s stubborn backline.

Palace are enjoying a good spell at the moment, with both Zaha and Townsend looking lively.

Meanwhile, at Old Trafford, Shane Duffy has made another excellent block to deny Rashford before Pogba’s free kick is deflected just wide.

PENALTY TO MAN UNITED!

MAN UNITED 1-0 BRIGHTON (POGBA 27)

Pogba takes a long run up before burying his penalty in the bottom right-hand corner for his eighth goal of the season.

It stemmed from Gaëtan Bong bringing down the French World Cup winner.

There is a sense of frustration creeping into the atmosphere at Anfield.

Despite dominating possession, the hosts have yet to register a shot on target.

Chance for Liverpool!

Van Dijk gets on the end of Milner’s free kick, but heads just over.

Shortly thereafter, there are claims for a penalty as the ball comes off Townsend’s hand in the Palace area, but the ref waves play on.

LIVERPOOL 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (TOWNSEND 34)

Palace are ahead with an excellent counter-attacking goal.

Zaha is the creator, as he beats Milner down the left before crossing for Townsend, who finishes emphatically first-time from the edge of the area.

That is only Palace’s second attempt and first on target.

Is Roy Hodgson going to come back to haunt the club he once managed with an improbable victory at Anfield?

Salah goes down very easily in the box.

Sakho and other Palace players are not happy and confront the Egypt international over his attempt to win a penalty.

MAN UNITED 2-0 BRIGHTON (RASHFORD 42)

Rashford produces a brilliant top-corner finish to double Man United’s advantage.

Both sides have had chances in recent minutes, but it’s the hosts who have been more clinical.

Keïta has just put in an awful over-the-top challenge on Townsend’s ankle.

The referee didn’t clearly spot it, as the punishment would surely have been severe for the midfielder if that had been the case.

HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE

HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 2-0 BRIGHTON

So half-time and for Liverpool fans, it’s been a worrying 45 minutes.

The Reds have dominated possession but struggled to create chances against a well-organised Palace backline.

Their opponents have looked dangerous on the break, with Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha causing problems for the Liverpool defence.

Signs of frustration are creeping into the hosts’ play — Naby Keita was fortunate not to be punished for an awful high challenge on Townsend, while Mo Salah also escaped sanction for a blatant dive inside the visitors’ box.

Palace have performed so impressively that it’s hard to believe they’re currently 14th in the Premier League.

Remember, Roy Hodgson’s side have already also beaten Manchester City this season.

The second half has begun…

LIVERPOOL 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (SALAH 47)

56 seconds after the break, Liverpool equalise.

Van Dijk’s hopeful shot from distance deflects into the path of Salah, who produces a brilliant finish on the volley.

The momentum is with Liverpool now.

Andy Robertson charges forward with conviction before shooting narrowly wide.

Liverpool have taken just seven minutes to turn this game on its head.

Firmino receives the ball from Mane on the edge of the area, and his slightly scuffed shot creeps into the corner of the net.

That was coming — Palace were struggling to deal with the league leaders’ high-intensity start to the second half.

Jesse Lingard shoots wide as Man United continue to look in control.

What a turnaround it’s been since Ole Gunnar Solskjær has taken charge.

Despite Liverpool taking the lead, the pattern of this game hasn’t really changed.

Liverpool have Palace penned back deep inside their half and are controlling the play.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Premier League - Anfield Stadium Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (right) scores his side's first goal of the game. Darren Staples Darren Staples

Brighton have made a double change, with Andone and Knockaert replacing Murray and March.

Meanwhile, at Anfield, Zaha continues to pose a threat on the rare occasions he gets the ball.

Moments ago, the Ivory Coast international’s cross narrowly eludes Townsend in what threatened to be a near-carbon copy of the opening goal.

LIVERPOOL 2-2 CRYSTAL PALACE (TOMKINS 65)

Palace are back in this game thanks to a very simple goal.

Milivojević’s corner is headed home by Tomkins, who is completely unmarked as he scores.

MAN UNITED 2-1 BRIGHTON (GROSS 71)

Propper’s excellent cross is converted by Gross to give Brighton hope.

The visitors have played well today — there hasn’t been too much between the sides.

LIVERPOOL 3-2 CRYSTAL PALACE (SALAH 76)

Liverpool are ahead and it’s a bit of a howler from Speroni.

Milner gets on the end of a cross field pass and the goalkeeper fails to deal with the England international’s volley from a tight angle.

Salah is subsequently on hand to help the loose ball over the line, as Liverpool fans breathe a sigh of relief once more.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Premier League - Anfield Stadium Salah scores Liverpool's third goal. Darren Staples Darren Staples

Palace make two substitutions as Ayew and McArthur are replaced by Wickham and Meyer.

As I type, Liverpool counter, but Mane’s shot from the edge of the area is tame when he had better options to his left and right.

Palace are taking more risks now.

Liverpool have looked more vulnerable at the back than has normally been the case this season.

Schlupp has just headed narrowly wide from a set piece.

Fabinho is injured and he’ll be unable to continue.

Another player who has had his fair share of injury problems, Adam Lallana, replaces him.

RED CARD FOR JAMES MILNER!

James Milner can have few complaints.

He is booked for a second late challenge on Zaha to increase pressure on the hosts.

As I type, Mane bursts through on goal, but his shot goes wide.

There will be five minutes of stoppage time at Anfield…

LIVERPOOL 4-2 CRYSTAL PALACE (MANE 90)

That’s that.

With Palace putting numbers forward, Mane exploits the space in behind, finishing clinically from a tight angle.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time at Old Trafford…

Stephens’ header is cleared away by the United defence after De Gea fails to claim a free kick.

It’s been a nervy final few minutes for United.

LIVERPOOL 4-3 CRYSTAL PALACE (MEYER 90)

FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 4-3 CRYSTAL PALACE

FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 2-1 BRIGHTON

So that’s that.

Liverpool and United both prevail despite some nervy moments for both.

It’s seven wins in a row for the Red Devils under Solskjaer, while Liverpool go seven points clear of Man City, who play tomorrow.

Right, that’s all from me.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

You can read our match report here.

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