With a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, thanks to a late fightback by Harvey Elliott, Liverpool took over first place in the Premier League.
The Eagles were reduced to ten me𝚗 when Jordan Ayew was issued a second yellow card, but the hosts seized the lead through a penalty kιck converted by Jean-Philippe Mateta after a foul by Jarrell Quansah.
In the following moments, Jurgen Klopp’s team were leveled thanks to a deflected effort by Mo Salah, who had already scored 200 goals for Liverpool.
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Elliott finished the turn with a strong drive into the corner during the last moments of regulation time.
After Jean-Philippe Mateta gave Palace the lead at Selhurst Park through a penalty in the second half, Jurgen Klopp’s team was in dаnger of suffering a devastating loss in the title figҺt.
Liverpool used Palace’s dismissal of Jordan Ayew with fifteen minutes remaining to score a flurry of goals in the dying moments, erasing their sputtering effort.
Following Ian Rush (346), Roger Һunt (285), Gordon Hodgson (241) and Billy Liddell (228), Salah became the sixth Liverpool player to score 200 goals in all competitions with his fourteenth goal this campaign.
The Egyptian sensation scored twice for Chelsea in his 247th Premier League match, bringing his total number of goals to 150. He is now tied for tenth place all-time with Michael Owen.
Liverpool would have been disappointed with a draw despite Salah’s landmark, but a late goal from substitute midfielder Elliott sealed the deal.
After Arsenal’s trip to third-place Aston Villa later on Saturday, Liverpool moved up to second place with their third straight league victory, giving them a one-point lead.
Before Christmas, Liverpool have two home games against Manchester United and Arsenal, giving them a great chance to solidify their title credentials for the new year.
Klopp slammed a TV host for being “ignorant” when he joked that the German’s “favourite” time to play was Saturday at 12:30 GMT.
Whenever Liverpool play in the early Saturday slot after playing on Wednesday, the Reds boss is quick to grumble about the scheduling.
The Liverpool team finishes lastAt first, it appeared like Klopp’s distaste for the start time would be reignited as Liverpool faltered in south London’s windy and rainy conditions.
After Trent Alexander-Arnold hacked the rebound off the line, Liverpool were fortunate to escape going down to a man. Jefferson Lerma had previously forced a fantastic save from Alisson Becker with a close-range strike.
After Odsonne Edouard was pushed over Virgil van Dijk, Palace were given a penalty. However, it was later determined that Will Hughes had fouled Wataru Endo before delivering the ball to Edouard.
After being instructed to check the pitchside monitor, referee Andy Madley reversed his penalty call.
In a terrible first half performance that concluded appropriately with Alexander-Arnold missing a simple pass, Klopp’s squad failed to register a single shot on goal—a first for this season in the league.
In the 57th minute, Palace justifiably took the lead when Madley reviewed the video and decided that Jarell Quansah’s challenge on Mateta merited a penalty.
Klopp was perplexed since VAR didn’t step in to prompt the decision until a few moments after the foul had already occurred.
Even though Liverpool were enraged, Mateta handled the penalty kιck like a pro, putting the ball calmly past Alisson.
Fortunately for Liverpool, Palace attacker Jordan Ayew was sent out in the 75th minute for a soft second booking, and the away team tied the score within the next minute.
Even though Liverpool were fortunate to have Cody Gakpo sent off, they were about to get even luckier when Salah received just a cleared cross from Gakpo. Salah’s strike from 10 yards took a nasty deflection and sailed past Sam Johnstone, the unfortunate goalkeeper.
The Reds’ late onslaught paid off in the opening minute of extra time, giving them a much-needed boost.
After gaining possession 30 yards out, Elliott dribbled past his defender and unleashed a spectacular shot that beаt Palace’s substitute goalkeeper Remi Matthews at the near post.
Joachim Andersen forced an ιnjury-time save from Alisson, ensuring that Liverpool would not lose their hard-fought victory.
