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| Impish Coutinho impressed for the away side |
Liverpool moved level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City courtesy of a thrilling victory at Crystal Palace.
Goals from Emre Can, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino secured the Reds' fifth win in six league games and only goal difference now separates City, second-placed Arsenal and Liverpool in third.
Despite their brilliance in attack, Liverpool's defence remains a weakness, with Lovren twice allowing James McArthur to level before the break.
It was a wonderfully entertaining match, with the opening 45 minutes particularly pleasing on the eye as defensive mishaps and attacking verve resulted in five goals - the most in a first half in the Premier League this season.
Indeed, the first three goals in a breathless encounter came within a hectic spell of five minutes and 45 seconds.
EPL Table As It Stands
MATCH HIGHLIGHT
Live Scores, League Table Liverpool were mesmerising going forward with Philippe Coutinho pulling the strings once again with his wonderful passing.
The Brazilian, 24, could have scored with a header, when Steve Mandanda brilliantly dived low to save an effort deflected off Joel Ward's hand.
Had an official seen Ward's transgression, the visitors would likely have been awarded a penalty.
Coutinho contributed two assists - his corners were headed home by Lovren and Matip - and played a part in Liverpool's opener, finding Alberto Moreno, whose cut-back gave Can the task of sweeping home from close range.
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Phillipe Coutinho has assisted twice or more in a league game on six occasions since making his debut, which is the joint-most of any player in the competition in that time, along with Mesut Ozil and David Silva. |
Arguably Coutinho's finest pass was the one which did not result in a goal, a perfectly weighted ball which cut through Palace's defence and set Sadio Mane free, with the summer signing drawing a fine save from Mandanda.
For all Coutinho's and Liverpool's attacking prowess, however, their defensive frailties meant victory was not certain until Firmino, put into space by captain Jordan Henderson, chipped over Mandanda.
What the managers said
Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew: "The first half was difficult on the sideline. We talked about putting them under pressure but in the first period we did not start well.
"We worked hard and defended well but we should have put more pressure on Liverpool. But they are a good team. Two set plays though, that is not us.
"We have to tighten up on that area. Our centre-backs are good but they got done. It is something we have to work on.
"In the second half, the game hinged on key moments. There were some penalty decisions which I thought were tight. We had a tight one last season with the same referee."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "In the first 15 minutes we were not really at 100% then in half an hour we created chance after chance. It was a close game and a deserved win at the end. I'm a very happy man.
"The defensive error we made for the first goal is because we are not at the limit of our concentration. The aggressiveness was not there at the start of the game. But I saw a lot of wonderful things offensively."
What next
Liverpool will aim to make it three league victories on the trot when they host Watford on 6 November, while Crystal Palace travel to Burnley, a team equal with them on 11 points in the table, on 5 November.
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