Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park 2-0, thanks to goals from James Milner and Sadio Mane. Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged side from our 4-0 win over West Ham and the Reds did all the early running.
Mohamed Salah was a thorn in the Palace defence but he missed a number of chances. Naby Keita put him through via an exquisite turn and a lofted pass but Salah chipped it over the bar.
Palace was never going to be an easy team to face and the Eagles did their best to contain our team. Liverpool got the breakthrough late in the first half when Salah was fouled by Mamadou Sakho in the box. Milner stepped up to convert the penalty and the Reds tried to dominate the game after the half-time whistle.
We were unable to break Palace down but Salah was again the problem for the home side as he raced through on goal. Aaron Wan-Bissaka caught the Egyptian and was sent off.
Liverpool could not make use of the numerical advantage until the final minute when the Reds countered a corner. Salah passed the ball to Mane and the Senegal star rounded the Palace keeper and made the points safe.
This was a huge win given that Manchester City had won their game as well. However, one of the heroes from our game was Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutch defender kept a tab on Christian Benteke throughout the game and ensured Alisson didn’t have a lot of work to do.
The Liverpool fans were certainly pleased with the win and here are some of their reactions to Van Dijk’s excellent display and the team’s performance overall.
Allison Becker tonight. #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/06jXQ722PH
— Justme (@Karim39555) August 20, 2018
— ₂₃ (@VintageShaqiri) August 20, 2018
Van dijk is a king
— Rob (@Flexerhh) August 20, 2018
@VirgilvDijk Tower of strength !!! #Liverpool #CRYLIV
— Jason (@jasone1972) August 20, 2018
Nice win.Still showing early season rustiness, but we normally panic against yard dog teams (who expect every decision to go their way).
Allison & VVD immense.
Salah showing why he’s top class.Not his best night,but never hides.He installs fear in defenders when he’s on the ball.— Marcus Hynds (@marcushynds) August 20, 2018
End it. pic.twitter.com/3vCWpnWOkC
— | 4 |🇳🇱 (@VirtuousVan) August 20, 2018
THE MONSTER VVD pic.twitter.com/6BmR0hiHS8
— Lee Smith (@LeeSmigX5) August 20, 2018
Virgil Van Dijk is a reincarnated Sami Hyypia with muscles pic.twitter.com/8oQCQ9LcKl
— Nana Sefah (@RydersrideNana) August 20, 2018
@VirgilvDijk was absolutely immense tonight, bossed Benteke without breaking a sweat. Two clean sheets and clearly helping Gomez become a better defender.
— FrewBall FM (@FrewBallFM) August 20, 2018
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