Crystal Palace Vs Liverpool

Selhurst Park

FT:0-7

December 19th 2020

Goals: Takumi Minamino 3′, Sadio Mane 35′, Roberto Firmino 44′ 68′, Jordan Henderson 52′, Mohamed Salah 81′ 84′

Ahead of this match, many pundits identified this as a game that could prove the undoing of the make shift Liverpool defence. A welcome return of Joel Matip was positive for the Reds who must have recognised the pace and skill posed by Eze, Zaha and Ayew.

The Reds have proved, vulnerable to teams playing in behind them and the defence has struggled to deal with the ball over the top or down the channels.

Salah dropped to the bench with Minamino stepping in, and Curtis Jones was replaced by Naby Kieta. Jurgen Klopp continues to rotate the squad clearly seeking to protect players from overplaying in the run up to the hectic Christmas schedule.

Some crisp early play, from the Reds created a 3rd minute opportunity that fell to Minamino who took a touch created a yard of space and bagged the early lead, one-nil to the Reds.

The goal was notable as much for the lay off from Mane, as the first goal for Minamino, the initial exchanges continued to favour Liverpool but it was clear that Palace were growing in confidence.

A series of balls, played through the lines and over the top exposed the Reds defence and it was more luck that Palace did not secure a deserved equaliser. Sloppy play, resulted in Liverpool surrendering possession and inviting Palace, and as the half progressed it looked more likely that Palace would secure a deserved goal. Liverpool replied on balls, into Mane but the supply drove Mane into the heart of the Palace defence and he was frequently found himself outnumbered.

A slick move in the 35th minute down the left resulted in Firmino feeding Mane and a classy switch of feet outwitted former Liverpool player Nathaniel Clyne, one touch later and the ball nestled in the back of the net.

Palace remained positive and continued to press, however a Palace attack broke down in the Liverpool half, Firmino fed Robertson, as the Reds streamed forward, the Scot played a sublime ball into the area to meet the oncoming Firmino who stroked the ball into the net.

Three nil, if you are a Palace supporter you have to wonder how you can find yourself behind in this game!

The second half indicated a similar pattern Liverpool less convincing and Palace pressing in the early exchanges. Liverpool started to grow into the game, another excellent move by Liverpool resulted in Keita feeding Alexander-Arnold who was the overload on the right hand side, he stroked a pass across the 18 yard line for Capitan Henderson who placed his shot into the far corner, four nil.

Chances for Minamino and Salah could have further added to Palaces woes before Alexander-Arnold drilled a ball following a Palace corner feeding Salah, a substitute for the reluctant Mane. Salah worked across the field to play in Firmino who is back to making the difficult look simple, Five-nil.

All Reds fans enjoyed the moment in the 72nd minute when the Ox replaced Firmino,

The game reverted a training session of keep ball, the Reds stroking the ball from side to side and through the lines, yet again Trent found himself in acres of space and just failed to get the early ball to an on rushing Curtis Jones, from the subsequent 81st minute corner Wjijnaldum headed onto Salah who scored six nil.

The Ox found a crisp pass to Salah on the right hand corner of the Palace box, Salah is this position is a menace with his trusty left foot and so it proved, 84 minutes Seven-nil.

A match that has seen a rejuvenated Naby Keita, Minamino showing some of his potential and the Ox back on the pitch and a seven goal away win……. this must have answered many of our Christmas wishes….thanks Santa!

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