Liverpool condemned Crystal Palace to a fourth successive Premier League defeat with a 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park, leaving the bottom-placed hosts and head coach Pierre Sage under mounting pressure.
Palace remain at the foot of the table with seven points from their first 10 league games under Sage, who took over from Oliver Glasner in the summer. The result again raised questions about his future, and there was only gentle applause from home supporters as he walked down the tunnel after full-time.
Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, moved up to fourth and sit nine points behind leaders Arsenal. The Reds have now won four consecutive away league matches and remain unbeaten on the road this season, with both of their league defeats having come at Anfield. They arrived after a disappointing midweek loss at Fenerbahce in Europe.
Palace began with energy and created chances. Yeremy Pino struck the Liverpool crossbar from close range, and Jorgen Strand Larsen had a goal ruled out for offside. Alisson Becker was kept busy throughout and made six saves, often looking like Liverpool’s most important player.
The visitors took the lead in the 40th minute through Alexis Mac Allister, who headed in following a well-worked free-kick routine, with Dominik Szoboszlai providing the assist.
Liverpool doubled their advantage nine minutes into the second half. Florian Wirtz finished neatly after being set up by Bradley Barcola, scoring his first Premier League goal since netting against Palace in April.
Alexander Isak, who had been largely quiet, made the game safe in the 89th minute when he converted Liverpool’s third from a Wirtz assist. It was Isak’s seventh league goal of the season.
Palace did get a consolation goal with the final kick of the match. Eddie Nketiah scored from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of stoppage time after Milos Kerkez was penalised.
The defeat added to a difficult period for Palace, who were also reduced to 10 men early in their previous match at Tottenham when Jean-Philippe Mateta was sent off, eventually losing 2-0 after playing nearly 80 minutes a man down.
Palace will next face Coventry City on 21 November, and Sage’s position is likely to remain the subject of speculation before that fixture.
For Liverpool, the win provided another important three points away from home, even if the performance was not always convincing. Alisson’s saves and Palace’s missed chances kept the scoreline closer than the visitors might have hoped, but Iraola’s side head into the international break with momentum and a place in the top four.
