Liverpool have finally got the response they desperately needed.
After two disappointing defeats against Arsenal and Fenerbahçe, Andoni Iraola’s side travelled to Selhurst Park knowing that anything other than a positive result would increase the pressure.
Thankfully, the Reds delivered.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak secured a deserved 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, giving Liverpool three important Premier League points and something to build on heading into the international break.
It wasn’t entirely comfortable, particularly during the first half, but there were plenty of positives to take from this performance.
Most importantly, Liverpool showed a much-needed clinical edge.
Mac Allister gives Liverpool the breakthrough
Liverpool started with Alisson in goal, Ronald Araujo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez in defence, while Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai formed the midfield partnership.
Cody Gakpo, Wirtz and Bradley Barcola supported Isak in attack.
The visitors had to work for their opening goal, with Palace creating some dangerous moments of their own.
Yéremy Pino struck the crossbar and Alisson was called into action to make important saves. Jørgen Strand Larsen also thought he had found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Liverpool needed to take advantage of their own opportunities, and they finally made the breakthrough in the 40th minute.
Szoboszlai delivered a dangerous free-kick and Mac Allister rose to head the ball into the net.
It was a massive goal at an important moment, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead heading into half-time.
Wirtz finally gets his Premier League goal!
Liverpool doubled their advantage shortly after the restart, and it was a moment that will hopefully give Florian Wirtz a huge confidence boost.
The German finished brilliantly in the 54th minute after a low cross from Barcola.
It was an excellent attacking move, with Barcola providing the quality and Wirtz showing the composure to finish.
There has been plenty of discussion about Wirtz’s performances and his need to deliver more in the final third.
Getting his first Premier League goal of the season is an important step.
Hopefully, this is the beginning of a much more productive spell for him in a Liverpool shirt.
Isak puts the game beyond Palace
Liverpool continued to threaten as the game progressed, and Isak eventually got his reward.
The Swedish striker had missed a big opportunity shortly before finding the net, but he made no mistake when another chance arrived.
Wirtz was involved again, setting up Isak to finish in the 89th minute and make it 3-0.
That was a particularly important moment for Isak.
Iraola has spoken about the need to get his striker into the right positions, and this was a reminder of what can happen when Liverpool provide him with the opportunities.
He now has eight goals this season, and Liverpool need to keep supplying him with quality service.
Eddie Nketiah converted a stoppage-time penalty after Kerkez was penalised for a late challenge, but it was too little, too late for Palace.
The final score was 3-1.
Alisson provides the foundation
While the goalscorers will understandably receive plenty of attention, Alisson deserves considerable credit.
Palace had opportunities, particularly before the break, and the Brazilian produced some important interventions to protect Liverpool’s advantage.
It was another reminder of how valuable he remains to this team.
Liverpool cannot expect their goalkeeper to rescue them every week, but having Alisson behind them provides enormous reassurance.
A much-needed response from Iraola’s Liverpool
I have been backing Iraola despite the recent setbacks, and this is exactly the sort of response I wanted to see.
There are still problems to address. Liverpool need greater consistency, better control in midfield and more defensive solidity.
But we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of this result.
The players needed to show character after losing to Arsenal and Fenerbahçe, and they responded with three goals away from home.
Mac Allister found the breakthrough, Wirtz got his first league goal of the campaign, and Isak continued his encouraging goalscoring form.
There was also another reminder that this squad has attacking quality when the players combine properly and move the ball with purpose.
I would still like to see more opportunities for Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha, who were among the substitutes, but today’s priority was getting the win.
And Liverpool got it.
The verdict: Three points and a platform to build on
This was not a perfect performance, but it was a very important one.
Liverpool have stopped the losing run, scored three goals and given their supporters something positive to take into the international break.
Iraola still has plenty of work to do, and nobody should suddenly start talking about Liverpool being title contenders again.
We need to be realistic about where this squad is and what needs improving.
But winning breeds confidence, and today’s result could be the start of some much-needed momentum.
Three goals, three points and a response when it mattered. That’s more like it, Liverpool!
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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