A Christian Benteke penalty at the end of 4 minutes' second half injury time gave the Reds the most unlikeliest of victories. Deserved? Perhaps, just. Expected? Definitely not!Jürgen Klopp kept one eye on the upcoming Europa League fixture, keeping Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho on the bench. The attacking duties thus fell to Divock Origi and Adam Lallana alongside Roberto Firmino. Behind them, a midfield three of James Milner, Emre Can and Jordan Henderson.
The defensive duties fell to Jon Flanagan, coming in for Nathaniel Clyne who was also rested. Mamadou Sakho was restored to central defence, along with Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno at left back.
This was a game that, for the most part, Liverpool didn't deserve to get anything from. Before Milner's dismissal in the 62nd minute, the visitors were their usual Selhurst Park-esque selves. Basically, offering very little going forward and constantly getting exposed on the counter-attack. Conceding needless free-kicks and needless goals. At half time, there was only one team in the game, and it wasn't the one from Merseyside. Joe Ledley crashing in the opener from 25 yards in first half injury time confirmed that... From an uncleared corner... As usual.
I don't believe Liverpool had a shot on target until mid-way through the second half. Not good enough for a team claiming to be challengers. Post-match, Klopp referred to Palace as a "well-rested side". That may well be, but I honestly don't see how that excused such a poor performance from his side. As a statement that just didn't make sense.
How does he explain the closing statistics that showed Liverpool had the lion's share of possession and had the most shots on goal and the most on target? All of this after the team went down to 10 men with Milner's clumsy challenge on Yohan Cabaye earned him an early bath. Liverpool were rested enough.
Having gone a man down, at virtually the same time that Coutinho came on in place of Flanagan, one could be forgiven for thinking the worst. Liverpool had a mountain to climb and for everything, it looked as if the hosts would go on to secure their third win in the last four meetings between the two sides at Selhurst Park.
Strangely however, this is when Liverpool decided to show up. They played far, far better with 10 men than ever looked possible with 11 and began to look more dangerous in attack. Coutinho brought some much-needed invention to the game. Even if Milner took some much-needed head count out of it.
Liverpool began to threaten. Palace hadn't noticed and began to get comfortable. Perhaps even complacent and preparing to celebrate yet another victory over the Merseysiders. Emre Can, was particularly industrious, and he was arguably the teams best player for most of that final 25 minute period. On 72 minutes, the visitors got their reward for an increasingly dogged performance.
Alex McCarthy's poor clearance fell to Firmino on the edge of the Palace box. The Brazilian dispatching his effort tidily into the net for the equaliser. Making some amends for his feeble attempt at blocking Ledley's shot for the Eagles' opener.
Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure. Alan Pardew, sensing the chance to capitalise on his visitors' attacking intent and inferior numbers, threw on Dwight Gayle after 82 minutes. His plan was clearly to catch his opponent on the break. And, let's be honest, it's worked many times before. He was almost thwarted as moments later, though. Moreno's thunderbolt drive from the edge of the box, cannoned off the inside of the McCarthy's right post, only to roll out to safety.
In the last throws of (a bizarre) four minutes of injury time added on, Liverpool launched a final attack. Benteke's run into the box was ended in dramatic fashion by Damien Delaney as the Reds' no. 9 made a meal of the slightest of touches, to go down and claim a last-gasp spot kick.
Initially, referee Andre Marriner waved away the visitors' protests, before consulting with his assistant and pointing to the spot. The big Belgian calmly slowed his run up, committing the Palace 'keeper, before rolling the ball into the net. 1-2 The away fans jubilant. The home fans, despondent. The home players dejected. Pardew disgusted and furious, throwing his coat to the ground in a fit of rage.
Liverpool have claimed their third Premier League victory on the bounce. Just what the doctor ordered if they intend to push for a fourth place finish. Klopp described it as the "Perfect day". If he was talking about a jail-break, then he was probably right. In footballing terms, I'm not so sure. The team still has some work to do but if they can maintain this form, no matter how lucky, no matter how undeserved on occasion, then... There's still time to turn the ship around.
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