LONDON: The Reds were not at their free-flowing best in London despite enjoying most of the possession. They went behind in the 13th minute to a Luka Milivojevic penalty — Reds keeper Loris Karius having brought down Wilfried Zaha — before Sadio Mane levelled after the break. Despite having one of his quieter games, Mohamed Salah proved to be the match winner with an 84th-minute strike.
But while the performance was not that of a top-four side, Klopp did not seem to care, seemingly happy Liverpool were able to grind out a vital three points as they look to ensure Champions League football next season.
“The win was deserved,” Klopp said. “You saw it was difficult and really intense today with the atmosphere as it was, but in the end I think it was really well deserved. We got two wonderful goals after a tough start.
“It is usual for us that we need to fight here, especially after a difficult start, but it makes it more special at the end.”
While Liverpool dominated possession throughout the first half they found clear-cut chances hard to come by and looked frustrated at the break, going in 1-0 down.
After the break there was more urgency about Klopp’s men and it was not long before they got the goal they were after. James Milner worked his way down the left before fizzing in a low cross which was easily steered in by Mane.
On the balance of play it was no more than Liverpool deserved, but those who thought it would usher in a deluge of goals were to be proved wrong. Once again, for all their possession, the Reds lacked a clinical edge — strange considering the free-scoring nature of their season so far.
Mane was lucky not to get a red card for a deliberate handball, having already been booked for diving. He was hauled off by Klopp and so missed Salah’s winner. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain crossed to Andrew Robertson on the left, whose pass found the Egyptian in the box. Salah took a touch before firing home for his 29th Premier League goal of the season.
But even then there was a sense that the Reds had been lucky. Their former striker Christian Benteke missed two glorious chances, and had one of those gone in then it could have been a different story. In contrast, Salah had only one real chance and made it count.
Next up for Liverpool is Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday. And for Jordan Henderson, victory over Palace sets them up nicely for the biggest game of their season so far.
“It was a big result. We were not at our best, but we kept going and fighting,” the Reds skipper said.
“It is a sign of a good team to win while not playing our best. We kept finding a way and Mo got another goal to win the game.
“At half-time we thought we could get back in the game and win it. The lads reacted brilliantly. (The win) gives us momentum for the game on Wednesday.”
Mohamed Salah reigns again as Liverpool stage Crystal Palace coup
Mohamed Salah reigns again as Liverpool stage Crystal Palace coup
Al-Hilal win tightens Saudi Pro League title race
- The 3-2 victory over Al-Khaleej leaves Al-Hilal a single point behind Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr, who play on Saturday
DUBAI: The gap at the top of the Saudi Pro League table was cut to just one point on Friday night, following Al-Hilal’s 3-2 win over Al-Khaleej.
Simone Inzaghi’s team leapfrogged Al-Taawoun into second place to remain the closest challengers to Al-Nassr in the title fight, with the leaders set to host Al-Okhdood on Saturday.
Al-Hilal opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Mohammed Kanno met Hamad Al-Yami’s lay-off on the edge of the penalty area, his long-range shot beating Al-Khaleej goalkeeper Anthony Moris at his left-hand post.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic doubled the lead on 39 from Malcom’s assist to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb in the second half. Al-Hilal looked to have secured all three points comfortably when Malcom made it 3-0 on 57 minutes, but Al-Khaleej had other ideas.
Joshua King’s goal on 79 minutes looked to be nothing more than a consolation, but five minutes later Al-Hilal were left sweating after Giorgos Masouras cut their lead to a single goal. The visitors’ revival was short-lived, however, with no more additions to the score.
The defeat leaves Al-Khaleej in eighth place, with three matches still to be played on Saturday.
Earlier on Friday, Al-Taawoun briefly climbed to second place in the table after an away win against Al-Kholood at Al-Hazem Stadium. Their goals came from Christopher Zambrano after 22 minutes and a William Troost-Ekong’s own goal in the 75th; Al-Taawoun ended the match with 10 men after Muteb Al-Mufarrij was sent off in stoppage time, but the three points were already secured.
Al-Hilal’s win later in the day meant Al-Taawoun dropped to third, while Al-Kholood sit in 12th.
The first match of the day saw Al-Fateh shock reigning Asian champions Al-Ahli with a 2-1 win, after falling behind at home to Valentin Atangana’s 22nd-minute goal. However, the home team turned the match around with two goals from Maria Vargas either side of half time.
The win saw Al-Fateh rise to 14th while Al-Ahli stayed in fourth.
