Roberto Firmino was the star of the show while Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah also impressed as Liverpool crushed Crystal Palace 7-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
It took Liverpool just three minutes to get off the mark as Takumi Minamino scored his first Premier League goal, finding the bottom-left corner after being played in by Sadio Mane. Crystal Palace were in the ascendancy after conceding and created a few openings but were unable to capitalise.
Liverpool, though, made no such mistakes, as Mane made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, executing a brilliant turn and finish from the edge of the box. Roberto Firmino, who had assisted the second goal, got his name on the scoresheet on the cusp of half-time, applying the finishing touches to a sumptuous cross from Andrew Robertson.
Seven minutes into the second half, Jordan Henderson made it 4-0 with a stunning effort from the edge of the box before Firmino got his second with a delectable dinked finish in the 68th minute. Substitute Mohamed Salah then got into the act, heading home from close range before unleashing a spectacular curling strike to put the icing on the cake.
It was a dominant performance from the reigning Premier League champions ensuring that they go into Christmas at the top of the table. And here’s how we rated the performances of Jurgen Klopp’s men on the afternoon at Selhurst Park.
Alisson Becker: 7/10
A comfortable outing for the Brazilian, who was rarely called into action by the Eagles. Did have a couple of saves to make in the first half which were rather straightforward. Charged out of his line to deal with any potential threat and generally showed good command in his box.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 8/10
?️ Most PL assists since August 2018:
2️⃣8️⃣ Kevin De Bruyne
2️⃣8️⃣ ANDY ROBERTSON (1 today)
2️⃣7️⃣ TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (1 today)
2️⃣0️⃣ Heung-Min Son
2️⃣0️⃣ Mohamed Salah pic.twitter.com/dO1MNUFufP— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 19, 2020
Could have been a difficult outing for the Englishman going up against the tricky Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha, but came out unscathed as his team played on the front foot for almost the entirety of the game. Got forward with the usual vigour.
Got the assist for Henderson’s goal before starting the move for Firmino’s second with a fine pass to set Salah on his way. It was his pinpoint delivery from a corner that found Joel Matip in the box, leading to Salah’s first of the afternoon. A fine way to celebrate his 150th appearance for Liverpool.
Joel Matip: 7.5/10
Back in the side after missing the midweek game with an injury, Matip showed good command at the back, putting his physicality and aerial prowess to good use to keep Crystal Palace at bay. Should have done better with a chance in the first half when he headed wide but got the assist for Salah’s first goal, winning the header from a corner kick.
Fabinho: 8/10
Fabinho at centre-back this season:
Clean sheet against Chelsea
Clean sheet against Ajax x2
Clean sheet against Midtjylland
Clean sheet against Leicester
Clean sheet against Wolves
Clean sheet against Crystal Palace12 games played
Nine games won
Seven clean sheets#LFC pic.twitter.com/3ei705Jln0— bet365 (@bet365) December 19, 2020
Another authoritative display from the Brazilian at the heart of the Liverpool defence, barring one moment when Jordan Ayew got the better of him. Read the game well to cut out any potential threat and was precise with his distribution. Made the most interceptions (4), won the second-most number of tackles (4), completed four clearances while misplacing just four of his 90 attempted passes.
Andrew Robertson: 8/10
Had a rather quiet start to the game but burst into life after the half-hour mark. Delivered a fine corner which Matip headed wide from before going on a marauding run and delivering a pinpoint cross for Firmino’s first goal. Created another chance for Mane in the second half. Ended the game with four key passes – the most by any player on the day, while also completing three tackles and two interceptions.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 7/10
May not have stood out among his teammates on the day but Wijnaldum put in another solid display in the middle of the park for Liverpool. Showed good energy to ensure that his team were on the front foot and used the ball very well, completing 49 of his 50 attempted passes.
Jordan Henderson: 8.5/10
Jordan Henderson’s game by numbers vs. Crystal Palace:
86% pass accuracy
9 ball recoveries
3 interceptions
2/2 take-ons
1 shot
1 goalHe has completed over 100 passes in 3 consecutive games. ? pic.twitter.com/sPcKT9hk92
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 19, 2020
The Liverpool skipper could be heard shouting out instructions to his teammates throughout the game as he marshalled things from the centre of the park. Misplaced a few passes early on but found his range soon enough and dictated the proceedings for Liverpool – attempting (120) and completing the most number of passes (104), while also making three interceptions.
The standout moment, though, came in the second half when he curled home the Reds’ fourth goal from the edge of the box. A captain’s performance.
Naby Keita: 7/10
Handed a start over Curtis Jones, the Guinean looked sharp after having returned from his latest injury setback. Looked to drive forward each time he got on the ball and worked hard when not in possession. In fact, he won the most number of tackles (5) and the joint-highest number of interceptions (4), while also completing two dribbles. Should have had an assist when he played Minamino through in the second half, but the forward hit his effort wide.
Sadio Mane: 8.5/10
Sadio Mané's game by numbers vs. Crystal Palace:
25 touches
5 duels won
3 touches in the opp. box
2 ball recoveries
2 tackles made
2 shots
1 chance creatde
1 assist
1 goalRuthless display. ? pic.twitter.com/Ano9UJCxht
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 19, 2020
The Player to Watch in our preview of the game, Mane, after having been through a rough patch of late, looked in his elements from the start, setting Minamino up for the opening goal before ending his eight-game goal drought with a fine effort not long after. Could have had another in the second half with his effort going just wide. Unsurprisingly was not at all pleased when his number was up before the hour-mark.
Roberto Firmino: 9/10
A fine performance from the Brazilian international who seems to have found his mojo back. Having scored the winning goal against Tottenham in midweek, Firmino set Mane up for Liverpool’s second with a clever pass before starting the move for the third, which he finished with a fine strike. Scored another brilliant goal in the second half to make it 5-0.
Roberto Firmino's game by numbers vs. Crystal Palace:
100% shot accuracy
42 touches
5 ball recoveries
2 touches in the opp. box
2 fast breaks
2 shots
2 goals
1 chance created
1 assistOozes class. pic.twitter.com/08CdgqHUSI
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 19, 2020
Takumi Minamino: 7.5/10
Getting the nod over Mohamed Salah on the day, the Japanese international made the most of his opportunity, opening the scoring just three minutes in with a good, low effort. Looked sharp throughout and put in the hard yards off the ball. Should have had a second but sent his effort wide after being played in by Keita.
Substitutes
Mohamed Salah: 9/10
A surprise omission from the starting XI, Salah got his chance to make an impact when he replaced Mane in the 58th minute and he did just that. Got the assist for Firmino’s second goal of the game before showing his goalscoring instincts to make it 6-0. His second goal, which nestled into the top corner, was absolutely top-notch.
Mohamed Salah’s game by numbers vs. Crystal Palace (35 minutes played):
100% pass accuracy
2 shots
2 goals
1 assistFlawless. ? pic.twitter.com/QBdH9Pwep7
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 19, 2020
Curtis Jones: 7/10
Came on for Wijnaldum with a little over twenty minutes left on the clock. Kept things ticking for Liverpool ensuring that they continued to control the proceedings. Misplaced just one of his 28 attempted passes.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7/10
Replaced Roberto Firmino for the final fifteen minutes or so. Got the assist for Salah’s second goal.
