Mohamed Salah scored his 37th goal of the season as Liverpool came from behind to record a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Luka Milivojevic sent Palace ahead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, but Sadio Mane levelled early in the second period before Salah came up with an 84th-minute winner for the visitors.
The result has left Palace in 16th position in the Premier League table - two points clear of the relegation zone. Liverpool, meanwhile, have moved above Manchester United into second position.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace welcome Liverpool. Palace will be looking to build on their huge win over Huddersfield Town last time out, but Liverpool will fancy their chances of collecting all three points, which would - temporarily at least - move them above Manchester United into second spot in the table.
Liverpool recorded a 1-0 victory over Palace when the two teams met at Anfield earlier this season, while the Reds ran out 4-2 winners when they travelled to Selhurst Park in the Premier League last term. The Merseyside club are actually unbeaten in this stadium since November 2014.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the English capital. Liverpool have had a number of players away on international duty over the last couple of weeks, but Palace have managed to keep a lot of their players together. Will that show?
TEAMS!
PALACE: Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Sakho, Kelly, Van Aanholt; McArthur, Milivojevic, Cabaye; Townsend, Benteke, Zaha
LIVERPOOL: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Henderson; Mane, Firmino, Salah
The big team news for Palace is that Wilfried Zaha is deemed fit enough to start. The attacker has been nursing a knee problem in recent weeks, and was indeed unable to train during the recent international break. Zaha starts this afternoon, however, while there is also a spot in the team for former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho as James Tomkins misses out at centre-back.
As for Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold replaces the injured Joe Gomez at right-back, while Emre Can's absence sees James Milner start alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park. No surprises further forward as Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino join Mohamed Salah, who is having a quite remarkable season for the Merseyside club.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff at Selhurst Park. I shall speak about Palace a little bit later, but let's start with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp's side recorded a 5-0 win over Watford before the international break, and another victory here would move them above Manchester United into second position in the Premier League table.
That said, Man United would then have two games in hand over the Merseyside club, and would have the chance to return to second when they host Swansea City this afternoon. It is very tight in the top four when considering that fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur are just two points off Liverpool as things stand. Spurs go to fifth-placed Chelsea tomorrow afternoon, and there is simply no downplaying the importance of that particular match. The atmosphere is building at Selhurst Park!
It is a huge few weeks for Liverpool when considering that they will host Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night, before visiting Merseyside rivals Everton in the league next weekend. The Reds will then travel to Man City for the second leg of their last-eight European affair on April 10. Quite a run of matches for Klopp's side.
Liverpool have been very strong at Anfield this season – winning 10 and drawing six of their 16 Premier League fixtures. Klopp's side have had some brilliant moments on the road, but have also suffered four defeats, and lost 2-1 at bitter rivals Man United earlier this month.
As for Palace, the Eagles will enter this match off the back of a huge 2-0 win at Huddersfield. The victory moved Roy Hodgson's side out of the bottom three, and they currently sit 16th in the table – two points clear of 18th-placed Southampton, who travel to 17th-placed West Ham United this afternoon.
It is shaping up to be a fascinating battle at the bottom of the division. West Bromwich Albion look to have gone, but the final two relegation positions are very much open for discussion. As good as Palace's win at Huddersfield was, a defeat this afternoon would place them in a tough spot once again.
Palace have lost three of their last six Premier League matches at Selhurst Park, but they did hold Manchester City to a goalless draw in this stadium on December 31. It is also worth nothing that their last two home losses have been against Tottenham and Man United, where both teams scored in the latter stages to secure all three points. Kickoff at Selhurst Park is now just 15 minutes away!
In terms of what is ahead for the Eagles, they will travel to Bournemouth next weekend before welcoming Brighton & Hove Albion on April 14. The capital side then go to Watford and host Leicester City in their final two games of the month, before visiting Stoke City and welcoming West Brom in their last two fixtures of the 2017-18 campaign. Can they survive in the Premier League?
Here we go then; both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff in the English capital. Can Palace boost their survival hopes with a huge win or indeed point, or will Liverpool move into second position in the Premier League table with all three points? Stay tuned for the action!
KICKOFF! Palace kick things off at Selhurst Park...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. You do get the feeling that Palace need to start well if they are to stand a chance of picking up a positive result. That said, Palace led 2-0 against Man United recently before losing 3-2 late on.
Palace appeal for a handball inside the Liverpool box, with Robertson involved, but the referee is not interested. It has been an open start as both teams enjoy possession of the ball early on.
Just a few signs that Liverpool are warming to their task here as they move the ball with pace and purpose in the final third of the field. Palace need to be careful that they do not drop to deep here.
Super defending from Zaha as the Palace winger gets back to challenge Alexander-Arnold, who had been found by a super Mane pass. Zaha then loses the ball, but Kelly manages to head clear inside the Palace box. Liverpool are on top with eight minutes of football played at Selhust Park.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Palace to take the lead as Cabaye finds Zaha with a sensational pass, but the attacker cannot lift the ball past Karius, who makes a smart save.
Liverpool are having lots of the ball, but Palace are certainly a threat on the counter-attack, with Cabaye picking up the ball in the middle of the park before looking to release Zaha and Townsend.
CHANCE! Super chance for Liverpool this time as Van Dijk's header from a corner is flicked towards goal by Mane, but the ball just misses the post! Let-off for Palace there.
PENALTY PALACE!
BOOKING! Karius (Liverpool) is booked for bringing Zaha to the ground inside the box! Zaha was first to the ball, and Karius clattered into the attacker. Penalty to the home side.
GOAL! Palace 1-0 Liverpool (Milivojevic, pen)
Milivojevic sends his penalty into the bottom corner of the net!
SAVE! Hennessey is down to keep out a long-range effort from Firmino.
Oh how we have missed Premier League football! Palace are looking for more goals here as they win a free kick in a dangerous area. The scorer of the penalty floats the ball into the Liverpool box, but Karius manages to gather. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this one.
Almost an opportunity for Liverpool as Milner pokes the ball through to Salah, but Van Aanholt is across to make the block. The first 20 minutes of this football match have simply flown past.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking football in the last couple of minutes, with both teams guilty of some mis-placed passes in the final third of the field. Liverpool need to lift the tempo here.
Palace will not feel comfortable even if they manage to take a 2-0 lead in this match. Indeed, the Eagles led by two goals against Manchester United recently before suffering a late 3-2 defeat.
BOOKING! Mane (Liverpool) is booked for a dive inside the Palace box.
Liverpool wanted a penalty of their own as Mane went down under a challenge from James McArthur, but the contact was minimal, and the Reds attacker was booked for simulation.
The rain continues to fall in the English capital, which is making the pitch nice and quick. Liverpool are doing their best to work the ball into the final third, but the home side are defending well here.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Palace lead 1-0 courtesy of a penalty in the 13th minute of action. Liverpool have not really threatened to level the scores, with Salah, Mane and Firmino all struggling to make their mark. Salah though has just drilled a low effort at the Palace goal.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Mane heads home for Liverpool from close range, but the offside flag is raised. It was the correct call, and the Liverpool celebrations are cut short here.
Super defending from Kelly as the Palace centre-back manages to clear a dangerous cross from Alexander-Arnold after Hennessey had lost the flight of the ball. Really good stuff from Kelly there.
The Palace fans are in fine voice as we approach the final stages of what has been an open and entertaining first period. Liverpool will be keen to level the scores before the half-time break here.
Townsend is back to defend a cross from Robertson as Liverpool start to force the issue in the final third of the field. The resulting corner comes in from Milner, and McArthur clears at the near post.
BOOKING! Benteke (Palace) is booked for a light challenge on Van Dijk.
Firmino sends a header harmlessly wide of the Palace post.
SAVE! Another fairly comfortable save for Hennessey as the Palace goalkeeper keeps out a strike from Salah, who has struggled to make his mark in the first half of this match.
Liverpool continue to press forward as we approach the interval, but Palace are fairly comfortable, and that has been the case for long spells of the first period. Still 1-0 to the home side here.
Firmino has one deflected over the Palace crossbar following a bit of a mix-up. The resulting corner is delivered by Salah, and Mane's flicked effort is kept out by the diving Hennessey.
BOOKING! McArthur (Palace) is booked for a late tackle on Milner.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period here.
HALF-TIME: Palace 1-0 Liverpool
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period in London to a close with Palace leading 1-0 courtesy of a penalty from Milivojevic in the 13th minute of action. Liverpool have had their moments in the final third, but it has been a fairly comfortable opening 45 minutes for the home side.
STATISTICS! Liverpool dominated the first-half possession with 76%, while they managed 12 attempts - four of which were on target. Palace, meanwhile, hit the target with both of their first-half attempts. It has been a spicy half in terms of challenges, with Karius and Mane in the referee's book for Liverpool, and Benteke and McArthur picking up cards for the Eagles. It could have been more!
BENCH WATCH! Liverpool boss Klopp does not have a whole host of attacking quality on his bench this afternoon, but Ings, Lallana and Oxlade-Chamberlain are available for the away side. Palace, meanwhile, have the likes of Lee, Loftus-Cheek and Riedewald in reserve at Selhust Park.
RESTART! Liverpool resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second half gathers pace here.
You do get the feeling that Liverpool will click into gear at some point during the second period, and I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals here. It has been a fairly low-key start to the second 45 minutes at Selhurst Park, with neither team creating anything of note.
GOAL! Palace 1-1 Liverpool (Mane)
Liverpool level the scores in the 49th minute as Mane turns a low Milner cross into the bottom corner of the net. Poor defending from Palace, and the visitors have levelled the scores here.
Salah works some space inside the Palace box before lifting the ball towards the far corner, but his effort was always too high. Liverpool are full of it at the moment as they chase a second goal.
Palace are very deep at the moment as Liverpool continue to put the pressure on. There is still a long way to go in this football match, and Hodgson must be concerned at the moment.
Brilliant defending from Sakho as the Palace centre-back manages to block an effort from Salah as Liverpool continue to force the issue. Robertson and Alexander-Arnold are so high for the visitors.
Wan-Bissaka has had a tough afternoon for Palace, and the full-back has just given the ball away in a dangerous area once again. Fosu-Mensah is sitting on the bench for the Eagles at the moment.
CHANCE! Massive chance for the home side to take the lead as Townsend heads towards Benteke inside the Liverpool box, but the striker lifts his effort well wide of the post!
CHANCE! Yet another opportunity for Benteke as Townsend feeds the Belgian inside the Liverpool box, but he fires over the crossbar! Two massive chances for Benteke!
Palace have a free kick just outside the Liverpool box as Mane handles the ball...
... the Palace players want Mane to be sent off for a second yellow, but that is not happening.
SAVE! Karius has to punch Van Aanholt's free kick away from the Liverpool goal.
Liverpool are preparing to make a double change with 64 minutes on the clock here.
LIVERPOOL SUBS! Mane and Wijnaldum are replaced by Lallana and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
You do get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match, and Liverpool will fancy their chances of breaking on Palace as the home side continue to press forward here.
Lallana does not look comfortable for Liverpool as he hits the deck following a challenge.
Lallana has only just entered the field, but he is going to be taken off here.
LIVERPOOL SUB! Lovren replaces Lallana in Liverpool's final change.
No movement on the Palace bench at the moment, and Hodgson might well stick with the XI out there until the final 10 minutes or so. It is an even game with 72 minutes on the clock here.
Liverpool are playing with three centre-backs at the moment, with Robertson and Alexander-Arnold pressed high up the field. You do get the feeling that more chances will arrive in the latter stages.
PALACE SUB! Loftus-Cheek replaces Cabaye for the home side.
Zaha squeezes the ball into Townsend inside the Liverpool box, but the attacker cannot release a shot, and Liverpool clear their lines. Still 1-1 with little under 15 minutes of football remaining here.
Both teams are having their moments in the final third, and Sakho has just managed to scramble the ball clear following a mix-up inside the Palace box. Salah, as expected, was on the scene.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining, and Liverpool are the team on the front foot at the moment as Robertson and Alexander-Arnold continue to break into wide positions.
Zaha has just been chopped to the ground in a wide position, but the referee was not interested, which is strange to say the least. Liverpool then break down the other end, and Robertson's cross is deflected behind. You do get the feeling that there is going to be a third goal in this game.
Alexander-Arnold fires into the stands as Liverpool threaten once again.
GOAL! Palace 1-2 Liverpool (Salah)
Liverpool take the lead in the 84th minute of the match as Salah scores his 36th goal of the campaign - finishing past Hennessey following a low cross from Robertson. Heartbreak for Palace.
Zaha delivers a dangerous cross into the Liverpool box, but there are no takers.
PALACE SUB! Fosu-Mensah replaces Wan-Bissaka for the home side.
We are into the first of four additional minutes at the end of the match.
Time is running out for Palace as Liverpool drop into a defensive shape. The home side have again passed up points in the latter stages of a match, which has happened on too many occasions.
We are into the final seconds. Palace need something to happen right now.
FULL-TIME: Palace 1-2 Liverpool
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Liverpool coming from behind to record a 2-1 win over Palace at Selhurst Park. Heartbreak for the home side late on! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
