The game started brilliantly and equal as both teams pressed high and were at each others goal mouths, much so very end to end. Liverpool had deep control of the possession and were dominating their style of passing which Klopp looked enthused by. Coutinho and Firmino were linking up effortlessly and Clyne was showing off his style and pace on the right flank. The game edged towards Liverpool's favour as they controlled the Palace half, however their style and movement was proving unworthy as Palace were looking to park the bus, very early on.
The deadlock finally broke in the 24th minute when a very Brazilian- esque free kick from Coutinho thumped into the back of the net. Liverpool thoroughly deserved their lead and were in form to complete the game as winners as the Liverpool players looked on to having more fun in the sun on Merseyside.
Liverpool looked to tear into half time as leaders, however former Liverpool player Christian Benteke broke the Kop end's amusement as he fired home for the Eagles in the 42nd minute. Shortly after equaling against the Reds, Benteke shared a "controversial" moment with loanee Mamadou Sakho, Sakho is no stranger to a bit of criticism, however celebrating in a very friendly manner against his primary club proved a little disloyal to his mates in Red.
More worryingly for Liverpool, rivals Manchester United had beaten Burnley comfortably, a team Liverpool struggled against earlier this season. United's win closes the gap between the two clubs with only 3 points in it.
Liverpool's next game now lies a week on Monday, which could see them potentially out of the top four as Palace host Tottenham, the eve after Chelsea play Southampton, could the Premier League trophy have blue ribbons on by the end of this week?
Liverpool's defending standards have been an issue for a relatively long time, teams this season have poked deeper holes into the defensive woes and it showed today after some lax defending from the Reds gave Benteke another strike against his former club six yards out. Disappointment and joy echoed around Anfield as the clock still turned on the 74th minute, 1-2 to Palace.
It is not the first time that Crystal Palace have enjoyed taking points from clubs in the top four region. Palace earned a respectful win against Chelsea on April Fools Day. A win today meant that Sam Allardyce's team are out of the danger zone by seven points, their next fixture against Burnley could put the team back on the bounce.
Palace have also now triumphed on their last three visits to Anfield, a stat worthy performance over the visits makes the Eagles the first team to do this since Chelsea in October 2005.
Klopp's side managed to rock up a huge dominance, but their one shot on target in the 90 minutes played let down not only their current team but previous players who had once shown a master class in shooting and scoring for the Reds. Liverpool's 72% possession and free kick wonder was just enough to keep them in third place but with teams like Manchester United and Manchester City surrounding Liverpool in the league table, Liverpool must have a quick turn around and show sheer improvement on the pitch as well as on the bench if they want to continue their top flight.
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