Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool: Reds cut gap in Premier League title race

Liverpool gave their hopes of challenging for the Premier League title a boost as they mixed early class with late resilience to hold off Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Less than 24 hours after league leaders Manchester City dropped points for the first time since October, Jurgen Klopp's side were sharp and ruthless early on to take the game away from their hosts.

The intensity of their press and crisp use of the ball overwhelmed Palace and Virgil van Dijk rose to deliver a bullet header for their opener before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finished a sweeping team move for their second.

Palace, though, eventually offered moments of warning, with Liverpool keeper Alisson forced to save well from Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta before Conor Gallagher glanced a header wide with the opening attack of the second half.

They finally broke through when the ever-willing Mateta raced onto Jeffrey Schlupp's superb through ball and unselfishly squared for Odsonne Edouard to tap into an empty net.

It prompted nervy moments for Klopp's side as Joachim Andersen drilled an effort wide and Olise went close with a late lob.

But Fabinho whipped home a penalty after Diogo Jota was felled in the box and a spot-kick was awarded after VAR suggested referee Kevin Friend should revise his initial decision.

It secured the victory for Klopp's side, who have managed to take maximum league points from the fixtures missed by key forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane while they play in the Africa Cup of Nations.

More to follow.

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Line-ups

Crystal Palace

Formation 4-3-3

13Guaita

2Ward16Andersen6Guéhi3Mitchell

23Gallagher12Hughes15Schlupp

7Olise14Mateta22Édouard

Substitutes

Liverpool

Formation 4-3-3

1Alisson

66Alexander-Arnold32Matip4van Dijk26Robertson

14Henderson3Fabinho17Jones

15Oxlade-Chamberlain9Firmino20Jota

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Crystal Palace 1, Liverpool 3.

Second Half ends, Crystal Palace 1, Liverpool 3.

Foul by Andrew Robertson (Liverpool).

Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Curtis Jones (Liverpool).

Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Jordan Henderson (Liverpool).

Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card.

Foul by Diogo Jota (Liverpool).

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution, Liverpool. Joseph Gomez replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Substitution, Liverpool. James Milner replaces Roberto Firmino.

Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Liverpool 3. Fabinho (Liverpool) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

VAR Decision: Penalty Liverpool.

Penalty Liverpool. Diogo Jota draws a foul in the penalty area.

Penalty conceded by Vicente Guaita (Crystal Palace) after a foul in the penalty area.

Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Alisson.

Attempt saved. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Joachim Andersen with a through ball.

Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

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