Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done.

Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Liverpool

Crystal Palace: Mateta 57’
Liverpool: Salah 81’, Elliott 90+1’

---

Pre-Match

The defense gets a shake-up with Alisson Becker back in goal and Jarell Quansah partnering with Virgil van Dijk. We’ll see if Liverpool can find a way to get around the 11 buses Roy Hodgson will park in front of their goal.

First Half

The pelting rain backed off early in the first half, and now Liverpool are working hard to find a way through the defense. They’ve had the lion’s share of the possession, as was it expected.

Palace forced some early set pieces, but Liverpool pushed through. However, it’s the home team with the first big chances of the game. Alisson denies Lerma an almost certain goal with a stunning save. Moments later, van Dijk committed a penalty offense to stop a break, only for the call to be overturned because Wataru Endo was fouled by Hughes in the run up.

It’s been a frustrating first half for both teams for different reasons. Maybe it’s the early start that is making everyone seem sluggish and off the pace. The VAR controversy was the most interesting thing event.

The only shot on goal from either team came from Lerma’s shot saved by Alisson

Hopefully a half time refresh will spice things up in the second half.

Second Half

The second half starts with Joe Gomez on for Endo. Liverpool gets the first crack at it, but Luis Díaz’s shot was knocked wide. Darwin Núñez’s header is also wide.

In an odd turn of events, the game is called back for the referee to check for possible penalty on Crystal Palace. It’s awarded and Mateta converts it for the first goal of the game. This game sucks.

Ryan Gravenberch replaces Cody Gakpo in the run up to the penalty.

Ibrahima Konaté replaces Jarell Quansah as play continues and Liverpool try to catch up.

This game is hard to watch. Liverpool look uninspired on the pitch, like they’re all waiting for someone else to do the thing already.

Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones replace Dominik Szoboszlai and Núñez. Maybe the young blood will help revitalize the Reds in the last 20 minutes of this game.

Just when it seemed like nothing would ever go right for Liverpool, Jordan Ayew takes down Elliott and gets his second yellow of the game. Palace are down to 10 men for the last 15 minutes.

Hodgson didn’t like that and his arguments earned him a yellow card as well.

Mohamed Salah wastes little time pressing the advantage. Gakpo crossed to Jones who got it to Salah, who finished for his 200th Liverpool goal. The Reds have tied that game with about 10 minutes left to search for a winner.

The fourth official announces 10 minutes of added time.

After a long hunt, Elliott finds a second goal for Liverpool in added time. It’s a left-footed shot from nearly dead center outside of the box that slams right past Palace’s unfortunate substitute goalkeeper to give Liverpool the lead.

Moments later, Díaz bags a third, but it’s called back for offside. Would have been nice to finish this one off.

And Alisson isn’t done reminding us how important he is. Another big, big save from the Brazilian at the death.

Final Thoughts

That wasn’t a fun experience, but Liverpool did another very late comeback to secure three points and a place, however temporary, at the top of the table.