Crystal Palace beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield to inflict a first defeat as Reds manager on Jurgen Klopp.
In a lively contest, it was the Eagles who took the lead through Yannick Bolasie's ferocious shot inside the box 21 minutes in.
The Reds levelled things up through Philippe Coutinho deep into the first half, but Scott Dann - a former Liverpool season ticket holder - won the game for Palace with a back-post header late on.
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of the entertaining affair below.
Welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield. The Reds have a chance to close the gap on the top four this afternoon, but they have a disappointing recent record against today's opponents.
The mood on Merseyside is far different now compared to this time last month, with Jurgen Klopp's arrival signalling what appears to be a bright future ahead. Six games played, zero defeats and a whole load of momentum behind them, Liverpool now need to find some more consistency in the Premier League - starting here today.
There is plenty to get through between now and kickoff at 4pm, including a look at the recent form of both sides and how they have fared in past meetings, but before all that let's check out some team news that has just been released at Anfield.
TEAM NEWS!
LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Sakho, Skrtel, Moreno; Lucas, Can; Lallana, Ibe, Coutinho; Benteke
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey; Kelly, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Zaha, Cabaye, McArthur, Puncheon; Sako, Bolasie
So the big team news as far as Liverpool are concerned is the return of Philippe Coutinho in attacking midfield. The Brazilian proved inspirational in last weekend's 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in a triumph that got the Klopp reign up and running for good. He starts alongside Adam Lallana and Jordon Ibe, while Christian Benteke gets the nod up top.
There is no James Milner for the Reds this afternoon, though, with the stand-in skipper nursing a hamstring injury. That means Lucas Leiva, who looked a certainty to depart the club just a few months back, takes over the armband for this one. Emre Can completes the midfield lineup, as Klopp sticks with this trusted 4-2-3-1 formation.
Palace have received a blow with the news that Dwight Gayle is not fit to start. Connor Wickham has also been struggling with injury, meaning Bakary Sako and Yannick Bolasie will seemingly alternate in the false nine role. That will be a huge disappointment for Patrick Bamford, who looked a strong possibility to start this afternoon.
Gayle has actually scored four goals in his last three outings against Liverpool, but that run will not be extended today because he fails to make the squad entirely. Marouane Chamakh is another who misses out for a Palace side showing two changes from last time out.
Pape Souare comes in for Joel Ward at full-back, while Sako replaces Gayle in that second change. All-in-all it is four changes for Liverpool following their Europa League tie in Kazin a few days ago, with Martin Skrtel for Dejan Lovren shoring up the backline for this tough-looking test.
BENCH WATCH!
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Bogdan, Lovren, Firmino, Allen, Origi, Brannagan, Teixeira
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Speroni, Ward, Hangeland, Ledley, Mutch, Bamford, Wickham
So only a place on the bench for Bamford and Wickham, then, as Alan Pardew opts to flex his tactical muscle. Plenty of midfield options for the Eagles boss to choose from, too, with the inclusion of Jordon Mutch - who has a decent scoring record against today's opponents - and Joe Ledley.
Klopp also has a high calibre of options available to swing the game in his side's favour should it be required, with Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi among the back-up selection. Joe Allen has to settle for a place on the bench, despite the absence of Milner this afternoon.
James Milner misses out through injury this afternoon, meaning that Lucas Leiva takes over the captaincy on his 288th appearance for the club
So another big test for Jurgen Klopp this afternoon, as he continues to implement his style of play on this rejuvenated Liverpool side. Three draws in his first three games in charge was certainly a decent enough way to kick his tenure off, with supporters knowing full well that time would be required, but things have clicked into gear over the past 10 days or so.
Three wins on the bounce in three different competitions has got Liverpool's campaign back on track following a slow start under ex-boss Brendan Rodgers. Bournemouth were disposed of in the League Cup at Anfield for Klopp's first win in charge, before that huge victory at Stamford Bridge last time out in the Premier League. That, it is fair to say, was the perfect way to lay down a marker for better things to come.
Then came the win over Rubin Kazin in midweek, which could prove to be the Reds' downfall this afternoon. Klopp tried his best to rotate his squad, leaving out Coutinho for the full 90 minutes, but it really was a gruelling trek across the continent. Liverpool did not arrive back until around 4am on Friday morning, in fact, so they have had very little time to fully prepare for this Palace clash.
Consistency is still largely an issue for Liverpool in the Premier League, although draws against Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton in Klopp's first two league games at the helm are certainly not disastrous results. The eccentric German knows that he cannot rely on a piece of Coutinho magic every week, though, while opposition teams will not be quite as fragile as the one we saw in West London eight days ago.
The home record also needs improving, having won just two of the last six at Anfield. To put that into some context, Watford have taken the same amount of points on home soil as Liverpool so far this term. Liverpool do come into this game unbeaten in 12, however, so they will certainly be on somewhat of a high for the arrival of Pardew's Palace.
The Reds come up against a Palace side who have experienced some mixed results this season to say the least. No side has experienced such a topsy-turvy set of results as the Eagles, whose position exactly in mid-table is pretty telling. Pardew's men remain just one point and one place off today's opponents, so their target of a top-half finish is certainly still well on the cards.
Palace's season could still go either way, but with a third of the campaign now played things are looking promising enough. Pardew has had to contend with a few injury problems heading into this afternoon's clash - hence the lack of a true recognised striker at Anfield - yet with the likes of Newcastle United, Sunderland and Everton to play this month, the platform is certainly there to push on.
DID YOU KNOW? Liverpool can call on Christian Benteke up front once more this afternoon following his recent return from injury, and the Belgian has struck in the last 15 minutes of three of the Reds' last four games. If the home side are chasing a goal late on, expect Benteke to have a big say.
Jurgen Klopp has made an impressive start to life at Anfield, winning three and losing none of his first six games at the helm
Pardew really has done a terrific job at Selhurst Park since taking over midway through the last campaign. A strong end to last season, including a memorable win at Anfield, only heightened expectations heading into this term, but it can be considered so far so good with more big wins along the way.
Most impressive of all has been the Eagles' away form under Pardew, having won nine and lost just four since January. A lack of goals could cost Palace, though, with just four in their last seven - three of which came via the penalty spot. That will certainly need to be rectified, though Sako and Bolasie will need to work particularly hard this afternoon.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Liverpool, who won five and lost none of their first seven Premier League games against Palace, have now lost three and won only one of the last five meetings. Furthermore, the Eagles have scored three goals in each of the last three encounters, so we can expect some goals here today.
Among those past Palace triumphs was the 3-1 win here in May, which was supposed to be an evening all about Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool skipper bowed out of Anfield on the back of a hugely disappointing defeat, though, thanks to a fine attacking display from a truly rejuvenated Palace.
There was also the 3-3 draw a couple of seasons back at Selhurst Park, made all the more remarkable by the way Liverpool completely collapsed in South London. The Reds were runaway favourites to win the title a week prior, but five points dropped saw Manchester City steal back the title.
Around six minutes to go now before kickoff, so let's check out what both camps have had to say heading into today's game:
Jurgen Klopp: "It's good to be new. Somebody told me about the special history with Crystal Palace but I feel nothing when I hear it. It's only football. In life, like sport, you can lose big but have to react in the right way - strike back, whatever. If we can use this experience then we should do it but nobody has to be afraid because of this opponent, it's not impossible to have a result against Crystal Palace."
Alan Pardew: "Klopp has arrived at that football club with great players, so their results are not a surprise.Certainly there's a higher press from the team under Klopp's management. We know that's coming, we'll expect that and we can cope with that. What he's added is the freshness of a new manager and that has gone into the players."
That's what the managers had to say, but what about the Sports Mole team? Find out below...
Both sets of players are now on the field, with kickoff just a matter of moments away. Before proceedings do get underway, we will have a minute's silence to mark Remembrance Sunday.
Steven Gerrard is watching on at Anfield this afternoon, incidentally, hoping for a better performance than the one witnessed on his last outing at the venue against today's very opponents. Here we go!
KICKOFF! Can Palace burst Liverpool's bubble? They have become the masters of doing so in recent seasons, so let's find out. The Eagles get us underway at Anfield.
Bolasie almost catches Mignolet out early on, and his closing down pays dividends in the end. Sako fails to deal with the clearance, allowing Zaha to burst in behind. The centre-back did recover to concede a corner, but that is certainly a bright start for the visitors.
A very good start from Palace, this. The Eagles not willing to sit back, and they are the side on the front foot early on. It actually looks like a 4-2-4 formation from the visitors - extremely attacking!
Delaney had to get his tackle spot on to deny Coutinho a shot on goal, while Skrtel did likewise on Bolasie close to the touchline. Palace are outnumbering Liverpool in the middle at the moment, with this proactive style of play.
Liverpool get numbers forward but a promising attack comes to nothing in the end after Lallana flashed a cross wide of the target. The Reds have taken the sting out of the game over the past couple of minutes, aiming to find their passing groove.
Still yet to see a chance or even a shot of any note thus far in a tame opening 11 minutes or so to the game. Palace started things on top but the hosts are slowly improving and are back in control.
Some very good play from Moreno, first to win the ball and then to swing in a real dangerous cross from the left. Souare was taking no chances with Benteke lurking behind him, simply heading the ball out for a corner which ultimately came to nothing.
Incredibly, Palace have seen 63% of the ball in these opening 15 minutes. Liverpool have been on top for large parts, but the Eagles certainly pose a real threat in attack when they get the ball into advanced positions. Still no shots as of yet.
SHOT! Coutinho provides the first shot of the contest, curling one well wide of target. A promising sign, nonetheless, as the Brazilian finds just a bit of space on the edge of the box to get an effort in.
Nice little battle brewing between Moreno and Bolasie. The Liverpool full-back accused his opponent of taking a swipe at him with a stray elbow, but he was merely trying to find some leverage. One to keep a close eye on for the remainder of the match.
SHOT! One apiece now in terms of shots, with Cabaye's effort just as wayward as Coutinho's a few minutes ago. The Frenchman tried his luck from around 35 yards, but his attempt was always rising high over the bar.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (YANNICK BOLASIE)
Palace's bravery pays off, as Bolasie fires his side ahead just under a quarter of the way into the contest. The ball ran loose inside the box following some rather poor defending from Can in particular, allowing Bolasie to swivel and rocket it home with his left boot from seven yards out.
Liverpool rattled, it seems, having failed to get out of first gear so far. Coutinho has started this game out on the left of a three-man attacking midfield, which is simply not working at the moment. Klopp will surely change things around a bit in a short while.
Liverpool stepping things up now, as Ibe - in the mood this afternoon - asks questions of the Palace backline before pulling the ball back into a central position. Coutinho was on the end of the pass, but saw his shot in the centre of the box was blocked away.
SHOT! Following that little opening for Coutinho a couple of minute ago, Liverpool continue to keep the pressure on by winning a free kick. It is worked to Ibe on the edge of the box, only for his shot to be dragged wide of target.
SAVE! Hennessey with a top save to keep his side ahead. Benteke gets his head on a set piece for the first time, nodding into the ground and seemingly catching the Palace stopper by surprise. Hennessey did not see the ball until the last second, but he got a strong hand to it to ensure that only a corner was conceded and not a goal.
We all know what happened the last time Gerrard appeared against Palace...
CHANCES! A couple of decent moments for Liverpool, with Benteke at the heart of both openings. First, Lallana used his silky footwork to play in the Belgian, but he scuffed his shot inside the box. The Reds striker was then picked out from a right-sided cross, which he this time got under and header over the bar.
Worrying signs for Liverpool supporters here, as Sakho goes down in quite some pain. The early signs don't look too promising, with plenty of the Reds' backroom staff on the field at the moment. His afternoon is almost certainly over.
Well Lovren is stripped and ready on the sidelines, with the fourth official preparing to usher the defender on. Sakho is having none of it, though, and incredibly jogs back onto the field. Not sure how long he will remain on the pitch, but he is on nonetheless.
SHOT! Sako puts the ball in the back of the net, but the flag was already up for offside against Bolasie. Promising spell for Palace, but Liverpool very much on top with all the momentum. Lallana weaves his way past a couple of opposition players before curling one narrowly wide.
LIVERPOOL SUB! Sako remained back on the field for just a couple more minutes, pulling up again after jumping up for a header. The centre-back may have done himself more damage in those 120 seconds or so. Dejan Lovren is on in his place.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (PHILIPPE COUTINHO)
Liverpool's Brazilian magician pops up again to rescue the Reds! The pressure has been piled on, and it finally pays off as the lively Ibe puts the ball into a central position, where Benteke was waiting to strike. The Belgian instead dummied the ball, though - intentional or otherwise - allowing Coutinho to latch on to the ball and calmly pick out his spot.
SAVE! Lovren, on the field for just five minutes or so, meets a corner in the box with a clean header. He was a long way from goal, meaning Hennessey was left with a simple enough stop down the middle. Delaney stuck a boot out, however, with any touch off the visiting defender surely enough to take the ball beyond his keeper. Lucky escape!
Liverpool still very much on top, with Palace probing away to remind their opponents that this one is still wide open. Two minutes of added time left to play.
A real scare for Palace at the back. Lucas's cross was weak, but it somehow goes all the way through deep into the visitors' box. Kelly was alert enough, however, and was able to get to the ball first to concede a corner.
CLOSE! Lovren again meets the corner, this time seeing his attempt hacked away off the line by McCarthur. Lucas smashes the rebound high over the bar. Strong end to the half from the hosts!
HALF TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
A brilliant response from Liverpool, it must be said. Palace started the game the better, perhaps catching their opponents by surprise thanks to an unorthodox 4-4-2/4-2-4 hybrid, and they capitalised when Yannick Bolasie smashed the ball home 21 minutes in from the game's first real chance.
Questions must be asked of the Reds' defending in the build-up to that opener, with Emre Can in particular failing to get his foot on the initial Zaha cross into the box. Philippe Coutinho then moved into a more central attacking position, helping to create a couple of decent chances for Christian Benteke which the forward failed to make the most of.
Liverpool were then dealt another blow as Mamadou Sakho limped off with a knee injury, but the centre-back would prove to be one of his side's better players in attack during his five minutes or so on the field. First, Philippe Coutinho levelled up with a smart finish from close range after being picked out by Jordon Ibe's right-sided cross.
Then Lovren powered a header goalwards for McCarthur to flick away on the line, having forced Hennessey into a simple stop just minutes beforehand. So Liverpool very much the side on top, then, although it would be unfair to write Palace off. They have played their part in the explosive opening 45 minutes to this contest, which took some time to get going.
Jurgen Klopp has already been forced into making one change this afternoon, but here is a look at the other options available to both managers:
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Bogdan, Firmino, Allen, Origi, Brannagan, Teixeira
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Speroni, Ward, Hangeland, Ledley, Mutch, Bamford, Wickham
Yannick Bolasie celebrates firing Palace ahead at Anfield, before Philippe Coutinho levelled things up shortly before the interval
RESTART! Liverpool get proceedings back underway at Anfield. Can the Reds build on that strong end to the opening 45 minutes?
A slight tweak in formation for Palace, it seems. Sako and Puncheon are certainly on different sides of the pitch now, while Bolasie is still the man leading the attack.
SHOT! A decent chance for Benteke, this. The Belgian had the ball at his feet inside the box with just Delaney to beat, but under pressure he could only curl his effort narrowly wide of target. He's not been at his most prolific so far today.
Cabaye produces a fine challenge to deny the lively Ibe. A super midfielder Cabaye, who has both the defensive and attacking capabilities to thrive in the Premier League.
Bar that Benteke attempt, this is not too dissimilar to what we saw in the first half. Not a great deal happening, but Palace looking pretty comfortable on the ball. Puncheon has just had a go with his right boot; the ball ending right on the corner flag.
Just over 44,000 inside Anfield this afternoon, as Benteke goes down under the challenge of Dann. The striker was looking to get in between ball and body to win a penalty, but the referee could see exactly what he was trying to do.
YELLOW CARD! Neil Swarbrick shows a yellow card to Puncheon for a couple of mistimed challenges.
Liverpool just need to find their top gear once more, just like we witnessed in the final five or six minutes of the first half. Palace are doing more than enough, meanwhile, looking solid enough at the back while also posing a threat in attack.
Cabaye bursts forward but sees his effort from the edge of the box blocked aside by Lovren. Souare receiving treatment off the field at the moment after clattering into the advertising hoardings when chasing down a ball. Real end-to-end stuff at Anfield.
Souare back on the field now sporting a bandage around his head. It looks as though he hit his head against one of the pitchside photographers' cameras.
CHANCES! This has been a hugely enjoyable game of football, with the end-to-end play continuing. Palace really should be ahead; Zaha leading a counter-attack and squaring the ball towards the back post for a completely unmarked Sako to race on to. The ex-Wolves man picked out the side-netting, though, to the relief of the hosts' exposed defenders. Straight up the other end, a cross came in for Benteke to meet five yards out, but he somehow headed over.
SUBS! Liverpool back on top, so a good time for Pardew to change things around a little. Sako, ruing that horror miss a few minutes ago, is replaced by a recognised striker in Wickham. Firmino replaces Can for the hosts. Souare has now been booked for a challenge on Ibe.
Alberto Moreno battles with Jason Puncheon in the first half of this end-to-end contest
A little quieter over the past four minutes or so in terms of chances, but it's Liverpool asking all the big questions at the moment. A quarter of this game to go and it could still go either way, as Lallana lifts one over the bar from 20 yards out.
SAVE! A decent attempt by Bolasie, who sees his long-range shot palmed away by Mignolet. The Reds stopper then catches Cabaye's cross unchallenged to relieve the pressure that was beginning to grow on his side.
Remember that pre-match stat about Benteke? The Belgian has scored in the last 15 minutes in three of Liverpool's last five Premier League outings. Palace must remain strong at the back, as Firmino sees his shot deflect behind. This game really is wide open!
YELLOW CARD! Zaha has been very good this afternoon, forcing Clyne into making a yellow-card worthy tackle. Palace's turn to attack now as they look to swing in a cross from a promising position, but Liverpool see through the danger. Moments before than, Lallana's goal-bound effort was blocked aside by Dann.
Wickham puts some pressure on Mignolet after Ibe fizzed a ball back to his keeper, with the Belgian simply booting the ball into touch. Palace about to make some more changes.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB! Joe Ledley comes on for Puncheon, suggesting that Palace are going to tighten up in the middle of the park. Ten minutes left to play on Merseyside.
Ibe's superb cross is headed clear by Dann. Firmino just looked to duck under the ball a little, perhaps thinking Benteke was better positioned behind him. A half decent chance for the Reds, which have certainly not been in short supply.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE (SCOTT DANN)
The one-time Liverpool season ticket holder has headed Palace in front at Anfield! The Reds have been on top, but this goal isn't out of the blue at all, because the Eagles have looked very good on the break this afternoon. Dann met a corner into the box which Mignolet palmed away. It only landed right back into the path of the centre-back, though, and he beat Firmino to the rebound to this time plant his header into the top corner.
SAVE! Well it has been incredibly end-to-end, but we can surely expect one-way traffic in these final four minutes or so. Coutinho kicks off the onslaught by rifling in a shot from 20 yards out, which Hennessey gets well behind to push over the bar for a corner.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB! Jordon Mutch knows how to find the net against Liverpool, having done so a couple of times before, and he is on for a tired Yohan Cabaye. Liverpool unable to sustain any pressure at the moment.
LIVERPOOL SUB! Ibe has probably been Liverpool's best player, but he has been sacrificed for Divock Origi to enter the fray.
A first defeat of the Klopp reign beckons, and a first loss in 13 outings for Liverpool overall. Palace doing enough at the moment to keep their opponents out, with the Reds unable to create any chances of note.
SAVE! Four minutes of added time to play at Anfield, with Palace having to defend another Liverpool corner. The ball is fired in by Lallana and, having been only half cleared, Moreno picked it up and forced Hennessey into a stop at his near post.
One minute of the four added on play, and Liverpool have been unable to truly test Hennessey since Coutinho's drive about five minutes ago.
Palace win themselves a free kick deep in their own half, which not only relieves the pressure but forces Liverpool's defenders to remain alert. Two minutes left.
The sides just exchanging free kicks at the moment, which is suiting Palace just fine. One minute for Liverpool to keep their unbeaten start under Klopp intact.
The four minutes are officially up. Liverpool now looking to launch it into the box but can't break down this deep Palace line.
FULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
So there we have it - Jurgen Klopp on the receiving end of a defeat for the first time since taking over at Anfield last month. Crystal Palace were good value for their win, having twice edged themselves in front on Merseyside.
It was the Eagles who took the lead through Yannick Bolasie's ferocious shot inside the box 21 minutes in, setting the tone for a real lively affair. The Reds levelled things up through Philippe Coutinho deep in the first half, but Scott Dann - a former Liverpool season ticket holder - won the game for Palace with a back-post header late on.
That win lifts Palace above their opponents in the Premier League table, while also ensuring that Liverpool now find themselves seven points off the top four. That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League action, but be sure to stick around with player ratings, analysis and plenty of reaction still to come.
