Liverpool best Crystal Palace in hard fought extra time drama

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Liverpool pass a tough test at Anfield tonight to beat Crystal Palace 4-3, who put up quite the tough fight against the Reds, as extra time goals on both ends see a Premier League thriller end with the hosts getting away with the three points, taking them 7 points above the rest.

Credits – Reuters

Jurgen Klopp’s men managed to fend off the swift and agile visitors tonight, but immense credit to Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace who went down, but not without putting up a fierce and tough fight.

Liverpool appeared threatening right from the start but it was Andros Townsend who put the visitors ahead in the 34th minute when Zaha pulled the ball back from the byline only to have Townsend fire it past Alisson from 12 yards away. The Eagles lead at the break.

It was about time when Klopp’s prized attack did something when Liverpool took control of the game after the break, until just a minute into it, a van Djik volley deflected off McCarthur has Salah tap the ball in to clinch the equalizer for the hosts.

Liverpool took the lead just 7 minutes later in the 53rd minute through Firmino, whose weak shot deflected off Kouyate’s left foot sees the ball past the goal line.

The visitors weren’t far behind when in the 65th minute, a Milivojevic’s corner kick is met by a bullet header from Tomkins to put Palace back into the game. However, Salah’s next strike 10 minutes later cancelled it out.

The drama ensued in the dying seconds of the 90th when Milner was sent off for taking Zaha down.

Liverpool lead 3-2 in extra time with one man short, and a well placed Sadio Mane strike 2 minutes past 90 has Anfield roaring with the feeling of victory. However, things looked a bit grim when Palace substitute Max Meyer fired the third one past Alisson to give hopes of a historic comeback, but was only met with the final whistle moments later.

Surely a thriller to remember for a few years to come!

The win takes Liverpool 7 points clear at the top of the Premiership.