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Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace: Isak and Wirtz on target for Slot's men

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Liverpool racked up a third consecutive Premier League victory as they overcame Crystal Palace 3-1 at Anfield on Saturday.

Alexander Isak and Andrew Robertson were on target in the first half, before Florian Wirtz made sure in second-half injury time after Daniel Munoz had replied for the visitors.

Liverpool had seen a penalty awarded to Mohamed Salah already overturned by the time Isak brilliantly controlled a stinging shot from Alexis Mac Allister, before hitting his effort into the ground and past Dean Henderson.

Freddie Woodman, the Reds' third-choice goalkeeper, made a great stop from Jean-Philippe Mateta to start a rapid counter that resulted in Robertson coolly slotting home from Curtis Jones' classy throughball.

Palace had a goal back in contentious circumstances, with Munoz lifting into an unguarded goal when Woodman was down hurt having made a fine one-on-one stop from Ismaila Sarr.

With the bit between their teeth, the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser, but Wirtz settled any lingering Liverpool nerves with an outstanding sliced half-volley into the top-left corner deep into second-half injury time.

Data Debrief: Isak sets the tone

Isak has endured an injury-hit campaign for Liverpool, and spent almost four months on the sidelines after sustaining a broken leg in December, but he gave a timely reminder of his quality.

All three of his Premier League goals for Liverpool have been the game's opening goal. Since 2022-23, only Erling Haaland (37) and Ollie Watkins (21) have more opening goals in the competition than his 19.

Woodman, deputising for the injured Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili in the Liverpool goal, made five saves in a fine display – including one from Mateta that led to Robertson doubling the lead. 

Indeed, there was just 15 seconds between the save (39:33) and the goal (39:48), with this their first goal from a fast break in the Premier League since January against Newcastle United.

Palace actually had more shots (13 to nine) and shots on target (seven to three) than Liverpool. Their non-penalty xG total (2.32) is the biggest by a visiting side at Anfield in all competitions this season, and the biggest since Arsenal's 2.58 in May last season.