Report & Highlights: Liverpool hold off Palace fightback at Anfield

Despite trailing 2-0 at half-time, Daniel Muñoz’s goal temporarily raised hope of a Palace fightback. But any dreams of taking points back to South London were ended in the closing minutes when Florian Wirtz added a third for the hosts.

SUMMARY:

• Oliver Glasner makes four changes from the side that drew with West Ham on Monday night.
• 12: Richards goes close with a header for the first real chance of the game.
• 35 – Goal: Liverpool take the lead when Isak produces a smart finish from close-range.
• 40 – Goal: The Reds make it 2-0 when a rapid counter-attack ends with Robertson finishing smartly, after Woodman had denied Mateta at the other end.
• Half-time: Liverpool 2-0 Palace
• 46: Glasner brings on Sosa for Mitchell at the start of the second-half.
• 64: Sarr forces another save from Woodman.
• 71 – GOAL: Muñoz gets Palace back into it.
• 84: Strand Larsen looks to have scored but hits the woodwork after beating Woodman.
• 90+6 – Goal: Wirtz smashes a fine finish past Henderson to end any hope of a comeback.
• Full-time: Liverpool 3-1 Palace

In glorious spring sunshine at Anfield, the Eagles showed intent from the early stages.

The first real chance of the game arrived just before the 12h minute. Adam Wharton provided an excellent right-footed cross from just outside the penalty area after Palace had loaded the Liverpool box.

Chris Richards managed to get his head to the ball ahead of Freddie Woodman, but could only divert the ball over the crossbar.

Wharton was pulling the strings early on and nearly found Ismaïla Sarr in-behind the Reds defence, only for a last-ditch interception to deny him, before Brennan Johnson then forced a save from Woodman.

Johnson had a decent chance in the 20th minute after Sarr broke down the right, but his shot from inside the box cleared the bar.

But Palace did have to survive a major scare in the 25th minute. After losing possession upfield following a free-kick, Liverpool broke at rapid speed.

The counter-attack ended with Salah running into the penalty area, only for his run to be stopped by the retreating Johnson.

Andy Madley pointed to the spot, but was then instructed to review the pitchside monitor. Thankfully the replay showed clear contact between the ball and the Wales international – decision overturned.

The Reds continued to fly forward. Salah went close only a few minutes later when volleying over from close range.

And, with their first effort on target, the Reds took the lead in the 35th minute. Alexis Mac Allister’s shot was weak, but the ball fell perfectly for Swedish forward Alexander Isak.

With one touch to control and another to finish, he gave skipper Dean Henderson no chance and Liverpool had the lead.

Games often turn on fine margins and Palace were on the wrong side of one only minutes later.

Daichi Kamada looked to have provided the perfect cross for Jean-Philippe Mateta who glanced a fine header towards goal.

But as the away end prepared to explode, Woodman produced a stunning save to deny the Frenchman. Seconds later the Reds were charging towards the Eagles’ goal.

One smart finish from Andy Robertson later and, suddenly, Palace were 2-0 down in a game they had competed well in.

Right on half-time the Eagles almost had a foothold in the game, but once again Woodman would deny them. Maxence Lacroix broke free to get a header in at the back post, but the Liverpool ‘keeper produced another reaction stop. Palace had played well, yet were somehow two goals down at the break.

The Eagles refused to give in easily in the second-half and created a brilliant chance not long after the interval.

Wharton had time to pick out the newly arrived substitute Borna Sosa. The wing-back managed to get his shot in from a tough angle, but it went just past the far post.

Glasner also introduced Yéremy Pino just before the hour and he nearly made a dramatic introduction within minutes, only to fail to connect with a Sarr cross after a flowing Palace move.

The two linked up for a wonderful counter-attack in the 64th minute. Pino found his Senegalese teammate with a reverse pass, but Woodman was again equal to the eventual shot.

Palace would get back into it via one of the most bizarre goals in recent memory.

Woodman denied Sarr with a smart point blank save. However, in the process the Liverpool ‘keeper appeared to hurt himself and stayed down.

Rather than stop the game, the referee allowed play on, with Daniel Muñoz putting the ball into the unguarded net.

Confusion temporarily reigned, with VAR reviewing the incident. But ultimately the goal was given and the Eagles had a major lifeline.

A salvage mission looked on. By this point Jørgen Strand Larsen was on and causing the Reds’ defence problems, with Sarr and Kamada looking threatening every time they got on the ball.

And the Norway international had a golden chance with only six minutes of normal time left. Wharton drove forward and picked out Strand Larsen in a perfect position.

He slid the ball under Woodman, only to be denied by the post. Once again the fine margins weren’t falling Palace’s way.

Palace pressed and harried throughout the seven minutes of injury time. But they were then undone in cruel fashion.

Mac Allister held the ball up well and found Florian Wirtz inside the box, who lashed a powerful shot past Henderson to end the contest.

Palace were beaten but were the better team for large periods of an absorbing contest. The Eagles return to action in the UEFA Conference League semi-final away to Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday.

Palace: Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell (Sosa, 45), Johnson (Pino, 59), Sarr, Mateta (Strand Larsen, 70).

Subs: Benítez (GK), Clyne, Riad, Devenny, Kamada, Hughes.

Liverpool: Woodman (GK), Jones (Gomez, 87), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson (Kerkez, 87), Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah (Frimpong, 59), Wirtz, Isak (Gravenberch, 79), Gakpo.

Subs: Pecsi (GK), Chiesa, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Wright.

AS IT HAPPENED