Error-Filled Liverpool Defeat Crystal Palace

Liverpool kept pace with Premier League top two Manchester City and Arsenal with a dramatic 4-2 success at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

A breathless first half saw both sides take advantage of defensive errors, with Palace twice levelling through James McArthur after Liverpool took the lead with goals from Emre Can and Dejan Lovren.

Joel Matip’s 44th-minute header gave the visitors a half-time advantage and Roberto Firmino’s second-half effort secured a win that left Jurgen Klopp’s men behind City and Arsenal on goal difference.

While the Merseysiders’ vibrant display showcased their attacking talents – assisted by a generous Palace defence — lapses at the back again raised questions about their ability to sustain their title challenge.

Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet in 10 league games this season and Lovren’s failings in particular complicated what should have been a routine victory.

But if Klopp had reason to be frustrated about elements of his side’s display, Palace manager Alan Pardew had even more grounds for complaint.

The hosts’ porousness meant that even when they twice came back to level, they never looked like kicking on to record what would have been only a sixth league win in 2016.

Initially the game had the look of an uneven contest when a typically incisive move, orchestrated by Philippe Coutinho, brought about Can’s opening goal after 16 minutes.

Coutinho picked out left-back Alberto Moreno, whose volleyed cross was turned home by Can with a first-time shot from 10 yards.

Already things looked bleak for Pardew’s side, but within two minutes they were gifted a route back into the game.

A long clearance by Palace goalkeeper Steve Mandanda was headed on by former Liverpool striker Christian Benteke.

The flick should have been dealt with comfortably by Liverpool’s centre-backs, but Matip squared for Lovren, whose mishit, looping pass allowed McArthur to nip in and head the ball over the advancing Loris Karius.