Liverpool secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace, with Mohamed Salah scoring his 200th goal for the club.
The Reds initially found themselves trailing after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty, but a turning point came when Jordan Ayew was sent off for Palace.
Salah’s 200th goal, in his 247th Premier League appearance, also marked his 150th goal in the competition, placing him in the all-time top-10 list alongside Michael Owen.
Despite a lackluster performance, Liverpool capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Salah’s 14th goal of the season leveling the score.
To Klopp’s confusion, VAR’s intervention in the penalty decision occurred several moments after the foul, leaving Liverpool visibly frustrated. Mateta, undeterred by Liverpool’s protests, calmly converted the spot-kick, putting Palace ahead.
However, fortune favored Liverpool when Palace’s Ayew received a second yellow card in the 75th minute. Within a minute, the visitors capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Salah’s shot deflecting wickedly past the wrong-footed keeper, Sam Johnstone.
Liverpool, now with renewed momentum, launched a late siege that culminated in a winner during the first minute of stoppage time. Harvey Elliott, positioned 30 yards from goal, skillfully evaded his marker and unleashed a superb strike that beat Palace’s substitute keeper, Remi Matthews, at his near post.
In the dying seconds, Alisson made a crucial save from Joachim Andersen, preserving Liverpool’s hard-fought success.
This crucial win propelled Liverpool to the top of the Premier League, one point ahead of Arsenal. With upcoming home games against Manchester United and Arsenal, Liverpool aims to strengthen its title credentials heading into the new year.
Source: AFP
