Liverpool after beating Crystal Palace are now just two points away to embrace their first title after a wait of 30 years. The 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace behind closed doors at Anfield has placed The Reds within the touching distance for the surreal title finish. Meanwhile, Manchester City must now beat Chelsea in Thursday’s tie to make them (Reds) wait a little more. After the scoreless Merseyside derby at Everton on Sunday, they thwarted cobwebs with embarrassing ease in their first home game since the campaign was suspended because of COVID-19 outbreak.
Although, The Reds only had the luxury to have a crowd of 300 people but the home game advantage was enough to display the vintage intensity as Wilfried Zaha-less Crystal Palace couldn’t resist much. Trent-Alexander-Arnold’s on target strike with a superb free-kick in 22nd in of the game and Mo Salah’s calm and clinical finish of Fabinho’s assist before the half-time set the perfect stage for a flawless performance. In the start of the second-half, Fabinho came up with something even more outstanding when he dispatched the ball in the nets via a rising right-foot finish to successfully complete a 30-yard strike in the 54th min.
Salah registered an assist in the 69th min of the game through a slide-rule pass directed at Sadio Mane who made no mistake to effectively finish past Wayne Hennessey and made the home game almost irreversible.
Fabinho’s Special
The Brazilian who plays under the shades of world-class attacking trio, Salah, mane and Firmino once again proved that he is something more than lowkey and should not be underestimated on any day. The midfielder showcased his overall game and showed strolling rhythm as he ran midfield while operating his class as a playmaker and striker to highlight his role in Liverpool’s march toward glory during this year’s campaign.
His pass that find Salah for The Reds second goals was a master-craft of touch and vision and add to that his long-range striking show that baffled Hennessey. Unhinged by the injury in the midst of the campaign, the understated Fabinho played a key role in a season build and conquered by a team performance under Klopp.
Painful Evening for Palace
The nightmarish injury of their dangerous man Zaha during the warm-up may be a reason, Cobwebs, didn’t have a single touch in The Reds box. Arrived at Anfield after putting up a strong show under Roy Hodgson, the four straight EPL wins and the reopening triumph opposite Bournemouth didn’t’ help much against Liverpool as they had no answer to the ruthless attack of the hosts. All things being considered, this is still a sold showing by the Palace still hanging in the top 10.
Jurgen Klopp
The Reds manager Klopp talking to Sky Sports, said: “Imagine how this stadium would have been full today and all the people could have experienced it live. I don’t’ think the game could have been better because my boys played like everybody was in the stadium. The atmosphere on the pitch was incredible. That was the best counter-pressing game I have ever seen. The boys are in good shape and in a good mood and it was important we showed our supporters we are still here and we do not want to wait.”
Cobwebs manager, Roy Hodgson was all praise for the victors and congratulated the Liverpool in his commentary:
“We didn’t need to make any excuses really, but it’s a Liverpool team in incredible form. They were so aggressive, so good in winning the ball back, we had no opportunities to put our foot on the ball and ask them some questions.
