Updated 16:50
MANY FOOTBALL FANS may have scoffed when they read headlines on Friday that linked, courtesy of Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool’s style of play to that of European champions Bayern Munich.
The claims of the Reds boss do not seem so far-fetched after a superb opening half display was enough to see off Crystal Palace at Anfield. Liverpool beat Ian Holloway’s men 3 — 1 after a strike apiece from Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, and a Steven Gerrard penalty. A flicked header Dwight Gayle was a mere consolation for the Londoners.
Suarez opened the scoring after scrambling off a shot, following good link-up play with Jose Enrique. His goal got a great response from the home crowd, which included former player and boss Kenny Dalglish and Ireland’s caretaker boss Noel King.
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His strike partner, Sturridge, slammed home the second after Irish defender Damien Delaney stood off for too long in the Palace box.
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Raheem Sterling was felled in the box on 36 minutes and Gerrard stepped up to slam home the penalty and make it 3 — 0. Gayle connected with a swung in free from Jose Campana to beat Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal after 76 minutes.
Sturridge came close to restoring the three goal cushion but his deflected shot struck the post with five minutes to play. Nonetheless, the win moves the Reds up to first in the league again. They overtake Arsenal, who take on West Brom at the Hawthorns on Sunday.
– First posted at 15:42
