Firmino wraps up win for Liverpool after a staggering first-half

It's not just their captivating attacking play, their pinpoint passing, their relentless pressing – this Liverpool team are resilient as hell.

Twice they were pegged back by a dogged Crystal Palace – both times they dusted themselves down to re-assert their authority to keep pace with Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the league.

That's true champion material. Their doubters will point to two more glaring defensive errors – but with an attack this potent who needs a defence?

At times it was nervy; but it really shouldn't have been. There may have only been two goals in it – but you could easily double that.

Christian Benteke had an early opportunity to make Klopp regret his decision to let him leave in the summer but couldn't get enough purchase on a header from Wilfried Zaha's deep cross.

But it didn't take long for the Reds to find their feet at Selhurst Park as they probed and harried – in typical Klopp fashion – through the opening stages.

Palace didn't have a moment to breath, Liverpool suffocating them of early possession. Pardew knew this was coming. Stopping it, though, is easier said than done.

And Liverpool's opener was inevitable when it arrived in the 15th minute, Can slotting home from 12 yards after Alberto Moreno's pass.

The home fans were livid; adamant Moreno was offside in the build up to the goal – however replays showed the left-back was level with Palace's rearguard at the time ofr Coutinho's exquisite pass.

It was no more Liverpool deserved for their confident start and should have signalled the start of a leisurely Saturday evening stroll.

Klopp couldn't have predicted what was round the corner, though. The Liverpool manager barely had time – just three minutes - to digest his side's opener before Lovren gifted Palace an equaliser.

Set up by Joel Matip for what should have been a routine clearance after Benteke had flicked on Mandanda's long punt, Lovren fluffed his lines in costly fashion.

His mistimed attempted clearance left Loris Karius exposed and McArthur took full advantage to nod home past the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Lovren slapped his thigh in frustration. Had Klopp been within touching distance, the Liverpool defender may have been the one getting slapped.

Fair play to the Croatian, though. He didn't dwell on his error, he atoned for it in emphatic fashion three minutes later, outmuscling Scott Dann at the back post to nod Coutinho's corner kick past Mandanda.

Joel Ward produced a brilliant last ditch block to deny Roberto Firmino in the 24th minute before Moreno rattled Mandanda's near post after excellent work from Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho – who was having a storming game for the Anfield club - as Liverpool went for the jugular.

However, more poor Liverpool defending handed Palace what looked like an unlikely route back into this game. Again, Palace had Lovren to thank.

Benteke's header on the edge of his own box eventually found its way to Zaha, who whipped in a outswinging cross in to the box.

It was a straight aerial duel between Lovren and McArthur; the Palace midfielder emerged victorious firing a bullet header past Karius.

How Palace were on level terms was a mystery. Klopp certainly couldn't fathom it, shaking his head in his technical area.

But it seems Liverpool are made of sterner stuff these days. They continued passing, pressing and probing.

Mandanda produced a brilliant save to deny Coutinho's header in the 37th minute before Sadio Mane fired wildly over the bar from eight yards when he really should have scored.

And Liverpool were ahead again two minutes before the break. Once more it was a Coutinho corner, but this time Matip was on hand to head home.

Pardew would have held a half-time inquest into how the Liverpool star was allowed the freedom of the 18 yard box to plant his header past Mandanda.

Klopp won't have cared an iota, he'd have believed justice was done after his side's first-half display.

Pardew, despite conceding three, would have been satisfied to still be in the encounter given Liverpool's dominance. Palace produced the first two chances of the second period; Karius saving from Benteke twice in quick succession.

Mane should have given Liverpool a two-goal cushion but was denied by Mandanda after another incisive Coutinho pass in the 55th minute before Benteke was denied again by Karius.

And Palace were furious Andre Marriner didn't point to the spot in the 60th minute, but the referee twice kept his arms by his side when first Zaha stumbled after a dangerous flick-out from Lovren and then Benteke fell under pressure from Matip.

It should never have been this uncomfortable from Liverpool. Pardew sensed an unlikely result throwing on Andros Townsend for the final 24 minutes as Zaha was denied another penalty, this time falling under duress from Can.

But moments later Liverpool wrapped up the three points as Firmino cooly dinked over Mandanda after Jordan Henderson's 71st minute through ball.

Source: MailOnline

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