Premier League Picks Of The Week 20

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 20

The 20th week of the Premier League action saw:

27 goals - most by Liverpool = 5

220 shots - most by Burnley = 17

87 on target - most by Liverpool = 10

100 corners - most by Leicester = 10

224 fouls - most by Watford = 17

32 bookings - most by West Ham = 4

2 red cards - Højbjerg for Southampton, Bailly for Man United

4 penalties - 2 scored (Salah and Firmino for Liverpool)

What a game! Having scored eleven goals in the last two games, and after watching Harry Kane give Tottenham the lead with a 25-yard screamer (22’), everyone must have had that “here-we-go-again” feeling, expecting another thrashing. But hell no, Wolves did not let that happen. After being totally dominated and outplayed in the first half, Nuno Espírito Santo turned the table on Spurs, bringing on Hélder Costa (59’) and João Moutinho (68’) after the break. Willy Boly equalised for the visitors with a powerful header (72’) and Raúl Jiménez poked the Wanderers ahead beating Hugo Lloris totally unmarked in the box (83’). Sub Costa put the icing on the Christmas cake with a nice run and clinical low finish to make it 1-3 at Wembley (87’). Mauricio Pochettino’s men did not record a single shot in the second half, after bashing in ten chances before the interval. The result sees the London side’s title hopes dented, falling back down to third, nine and two points behind Liverpool and Manchester City respectively. More to the top two’s wins below. Wolves meanwhile, are in dreamland, up to seventh.

What a team! League leaders Liverpool took Arsenal apart, thrashing them 5-1 at Anfield in the evening kick-off on Saturday. The Gunners started strong, taking an early lead thanks to Ainsley Maitland-Niles (11’), his first goal for the club. It was the first time Jürgen Klopp’s men had fallen behind in a Premier League game at Anfield in 2018. But the Reds hit back hard and quick, Roberto Firmino with two goals in two minutes, one easy tap-in (14'), the other a great individual run and finish (16'). Sadio Mané extended the home side’s lead off Andrew Robertson’s long cross (32’), before Mohamed Salah made it 4-1 from the spot in the final seconds of the first half (45’+2’). The great Egyptian handed the ball to the awesome Brazilian after Liverpool won a softer than soft penalty following Sead Kolašinac’s push on Dejan Lovren (65’). Firmino made no mistake, netted the penalty to bag himself his first career hat-trick and his side a very convincing 5-1 win. Records keep tumbling, oppositions crumbling, hoping and waiting for the Reds to slip up and fall at some point. But so far, so awesome, 20 games unbeaten, seven points clear at the top. But what a difference a month makes: LFC are 16 goals and nine points better off than the Citizens (since week 15 = the last five games). Next on the list is another big test: Manchester City at the Etihad. 

Pep Guardiola’s men returned to winning ways against a clumsy ten-man Southampton with a 1-3 victory at St Mary’s. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg had equalised for hosts (37’) after David Silva’s early opener (10’). But then the Saints crumbled to bits with an own goal (Ward-Prowse 45’) and Sergio Agüero’s header (45’+3') putting the visitors in command before the interval. Højbjerg’s lunging tackle on Fernandinho added more misery on to the hosts, having only just returned from suspension, the goal scorer was sent packing, his side dropping to 17th, whilst the Sky Blues climbed back up to second, seven points behind the league leaders.

What a man! Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has conceded 15 goals in the Premier League in December, as many as he had in August, September, October and November of this season combined. It’s been a funny couple of weeks for the Toffees, from 2-6 home thrash against Tottenham (week 18), to 1-5 winners at Burnley (week 19), to this week’s frustrating 1-0 defeat at Brighton. Marco Silva and Christ Hughton will have contrasting New Year’s celebrations and resolutions, their sides in sour 10th and sweet 13th respectively.

Manchester United made it 12 goals and three wins in their first three games under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Paul Pogba starring and dancing with his brace (5’, 33’) making it 4-1 against Bournemouth. The win takes the Red Devils just three points behind the Gunners in fifth. Much better and brighter times at Old Trafford, but surely, bigger tests are still ahead. More to the side and game below.

What a goal(keeper)! There were a couple of crucial late goals at the bottom of the table. Both Aleksandar Mitrović and Víctor Camarasa scored stoppage time winners for Fulham and Cardiff City against Huddersfield and Leicester respectively. It was the Bluebirds’ first away win of the season thanks to a curling stunner. The more shocking it was for the Foxes after their wins against Chelsea and City in their previous two matches, and watching James Maddison denied from the spot by star keeper and man of the match Neil Etheridge. The Cottagers were double-relieved after watching Aboubakar Kamara miss his spot kick, following feisty discussions with usual taker Mitroviç, just minutes before his team mate’s winner. David Wagner will be glad to see the back of 2018, his Tigers just recording five league wins, 24 defeats! They remain bottom after their seventh successive defeat, equalling their 1955 club record.

Another crucial win in the relegation zone was recorded by Burnley. Manager Sean Dyche made some crucial changes, keeper Tom Heaton starring in place of Joe Hart, and youngster Dwight McNeil starting and doubling the Clarets’ lead against West Ham (34’), after Chris Wood’s opener put the hosts in charge (15’). The win keeps Burnley in 18th, but puts them level on points with Southampton in 17th.

What the hell?! This was the ninth time this season that Crystal Palace have been drawing 0-0 at half-time and failed to win on each and every one of those occasions... And their late flourish was too little too late against Chelsea, not a single shot on target in the whole game is just not good enough. It ended up being an easy win for the Blues against the team that beat City not even a week ago (week 18), thanks to N'Golo Kanté's strike (51'), keeping them in fourth but increasing the gap to Arsenal in fifth to five points.

As mentioned above, the Red Devils are on a winning run, kicking and clicking much better since José Mourinwho’s departure. But they had the officials to thank in this win against Southampton as well, seeing a goal disallowed, high kick in the box overlooked, and their lines bent in build-up to one of their goals. (This Tweet got it bang on.) It’s still early days post-Miserinho. The spirit and force has returned, yes, indeed. The question is, however, how long will it last? And where the hell was it beforehand?! The same players that were so dire and depressing to watch a couple of weeks ago?! Now dancing and prancing and banging them in... Something is still very wrong there in my eyes...

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Brighton 1:1 Everton - 1:0

Fulham 1:1 Huddersfield - 1:0

Leicester 2:0 Cardiff - 0:1

Tottenham 3:1 Wolves - 1:3

Watford 1:2 Newcastle - 1:1

Liverpool 3:1 Arsenal - 5:1

Crystal Palace 1:1 Chelsea - 0:1

Burnley 1:3 West Ham - 2:0

Southampton 0:3 Man City - 1:3

Man United 3:1 Bournemouth - 1:4

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and RMC coverage.

Deadlocked & Unbeaten Reds & Citizens

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 0:0 MCFC

Liverpool and Manchester City remain unbeaten and tied with Chelsea on 20 points at the top of the Premier League after their goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday.

It was definitely not the Super Sunday clash as it was built up and expected to be between the two sides that shared 12 goals in their two league meetings last season and six goals in their Champions League matches.

MCFC 5-0 LFC (09/09/2017), LFC 4-3 MCFC (14/01/2018)
LFC 3-0 MCFC (04/04/2018), MCFC 1-2 LFC (10/04/2018)

It took 62 minutes to get the first shot on target, Riyad Mahrez testing Alisson from inside the box shortly before Mohamed Salah's curler from 20 yards was easily caught by Ederson.

Both keepers had nothing to do until then, after a frantic opening 15-20 minutes, the Sky Blues kept the Reds under control and vice versa.

The visitors had 51% possession, their lowest in a Premier League games under their Spanish boss, the home side weren't helped though by injury to their vice-skipper James Milner with under half an hour gone.

It was the first time City failed to have a single shot in the first half since April 2010 against Arsenal and a shot on target in the first half of a Premier League game since the final game of last season against Southampton.

And November 2017 against Chelsea was the last time for Jürgen Klopp's side not to register an attempt on target in the first half of a Premier League game.

But it was not like they were not trying, Sadio Mané and Salah worked hard throughout, Roberto Firmino still seemed isolated and hardly got a touch or look into the game.

Man of the match Bernardo Silva was the key to that, keeping the Citizens locked, recording and completing more tackles than anyone else on the pitch.

Former Red Raheem Sterling and Argentinian fireman Sergio Agüero were both kept quiet, the latter was taken off after 66 minutes, his record against LFC looking dire with no goals in his ten appearances (700 minutes played, 0 wins, 11 shots, 3 on target).

The first genuine save came in the 74th minute, the home side's Brazilian stopper tipping away Mahrez's low shot.

Pep Guardiola's men were given a lifeline after Virgil van Dijk slid into Leroy Sané, getting more of the man than the ball, seconds after it looked like the latter had fouled Salah in the buildup.

Penalty to City it was, five minutes of normal time to go, all hard work looked to be undone for the Reds, until Mahrez took the kick off Gabriel Jesus and put it sky-high to the left and out, relief all round at Anfield.

The Algerian winger has missed five of his last eight spot kicks (four for Leicester, one for City), among players to have taken at least 10 penalties in the Premier League, only former Aston Villa man Juan Pablo Ángel (50%, 5/10) has a lower rate than Mahrez (58%, 7/12).

The champions have not won a league game at Anfield in 15 years, but as frustrating as that miss was, both bosses left happy with their sides' unbeaten records and clean sheets in tact.

Pep has won just one of his past eight managerial meetings with Klopp in all competitions (D3, L4), and is winless in the most recent four (D1, L3, see links above).

Liverpool's total of 20 points is their joint-most after eight games of a Premier League campaign, having also done so in 1996-97 and 2008-09.

As mentioned above, both the Reds and Sky Blues with Chelsea remain unbeaten in the league this campaign, which is just the second time in the Premier League era that as many as three teams have gone unbeaten in their opening eight games of a single season (also 2011-12 with Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle).

The international break is coming at a perfect time for all three sides, to recharge, recap and restart their winning mentality and firing boots.

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez; 7 Milner (8 Keita 29'), 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum (booked 90'); 10 Mané, 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 72'), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 3 Fabinho, 22 Mignolet, 23 Shaqiri, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Man City Team: 31 Ederson; 22 Mendy (booked 64'), 14 Laporte, 5 Stones, 2 Walker; 25 Fernandinho, B Silva (booked 21'); 7 Sterling (19 Sané 76'), 21 D Silva (c), 26 Mahrez; 10 Agüero (booked 56') (33 de Jesus 66'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 3 Danilo, 4 Kompany, 30 Otamendi, 47 Foden, 49 Muric.

HT Stats: LFC 0-0 MCFC
Possession: 43%-57%
Shots: 2-1
On target: 0-0
Corners: 2-4
Fouls: 5-3
Bookings: 0-1

FT Stats: LFC 0-0 MCFC
Possession: 49%-51%
Shots: 7-6
On target: 2-2
Corners: 2-6
Fouls: 10-10
Bookings: 1-3

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 52,117

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter, Sky Sports and RMC app and match coverage.

CL Shocker At San Paolo For Reds

Sports - Football - Champions League - NAP 1:0 LIV

Liverpool suffered their second defeat in their last three matches, all winless in all competitions, losing 1:0 against Napoli in the Champions League group match at the Stadio San Paolo, thanks to Lorenzo Insigne’s last-minute winner (90’).

The Reds were a shadow of their usual attacking and hungry selves, losing the ball again and again and not recording a single shot on target in Italy on Wednesday night.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men, second in Serie A, six points behind leaders Juventus, dominated possession, play and didn’t let the visitors have a single sniffer into the game.

Jürgen Klopp was unusually quiet as well, not his usual manic shouting and gesturing self on the sideline. One could feel something was just missing, not clicking, not right.

Especially the front trio, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah just couldn’t connect and kept misplacing and losing the ball, whilst there was no sign at all of Roberto Firmino.

It didn’t help when Naby Keïta had to be replaced by Jordan Henderson early on in the first half due to an injury to his back (18’).

Alisson stopped Arkadiusz Milik’s shot from swivelling in and collected the rebound (33’) before the Blues upped their game after the restart.

Milik’s drive was too much for the Brazilian stopper and needed to be hacked away by Virgil van Dijk (50’).

Joe Gomez cleared José Callejón’s volley off the line (75’) before sub Dries Mertens hit the crossbar (82’).

But the hosts were rewarded for all their hard work in the final minute of normal time when man of the match Insigne netted Callejón’s precise cross, sparking wild celebrations.

This result and PSG’s 6-1 thrashing of Red Star Belgrade throw Group C wide open, taking Napoli above Liverpool to the top.

It was the first time since February 2006 that the Reds have failed to record a single shot on target in a Champions League game (0-1 vs Benfica).

And December 2009 was the last time they have lost a Champions League game thanks to a 90th minute winner (Alberto Gilardino for Fiorentina).

It was the worst display by far this season, no pace, no connection, no chance and last season’s finalists only had their keeper and defenders to thank that it didn’t end up being a bigger thrashing.

It will not help their confidence ahead of the big Super Sunday Premier League clash against champions and league leaders Manchester City.

If they play like this against the champions, they will get thrashed, torn to bits and left to wreck... 

But it wouldn't be the first time for Klopp to have a surprise up his sleeve and come back stronger. 

The German conceded this one goes on him, it was his fault and will make sure they will learn from it to make sure the Reds keep their unbeaten record in the Premier League up and going.

Napoli Goal: Insigne 90’.

Napoli Team: 25 Ospina; 6 Rui, 26 Koulibaly (booked 25’), 33 Albiol, 19 Maksimovic; 8 Ruiz Peña (14 Mertens 68’), 17 Hamsik (c) (20 Zielinski 81’), 5 Allan, 7 Callejón; 99 Milik (9 Verdi 68’), 24 Insigne. 4-4-2

Subs not used: 23 Hysajs, 27 Karnezis, 30 Rog, 42 Diawara.

Liverpool Team: 13 Allison; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 12 Gomez, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 8 Keita (14 Henderson 19’), 5 Wijnaldum, 7 Milner (c) (booked 45’+2’) (3 Fabinho 76’); 10 Mané (15 Sturridge 89’), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 23 Shaqiri.

HT Stats: NAP 0-0 LIV

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 3-3

On target: 1-0

Corners: 1-0

Fouls: 5-5

Bookings: 1-1

FT Stats: NAP 1-0 LIV

Possession: 57%-43%

Shots: 14-4

On target: 5-0

Corners: 5-1

Fouls: 12-9

Bookings: 1-1

Referee: Viktor Kassai

Man of the match: Lorenzo Insigne

Ground: Stadio San Paolo

Attendance: 37,057

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app and BT and RMC Sport coverage.

Reds Outplay PSG In 5-Goal Thriller

Sports - Football - CL - LFC 3:2 PSG

Liverpool started their 2018-19 Champions League campaign with a five-goal thriller at Anfield, ending up impressive 3-2 winners against French champions PSG on Tuesday night.

The Reds dominated throughout, pushing and detaining any kind of threat from the Parisians, who looked very subdued at times.

Corner for corner, chance after chance went to the home side in the early stages and after just over half an hour, all the dominance finally paid off.

In a rare start Daniel Sturridge headed in Andrew Robertson’s cross six minutes before James Milner doubled the lead from the spot after Georginio Wijnaldum was fouled.

Belgian right back Thomas Meunier pulled one back for the visitors before the break, but it still looked all too comfortable for Jürgen Klopp’s men.

There was not much to see from the £400million frontline of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani, Liverpool were in control.

Mohamed Salah was not at his best either though, losing the ball too many times and when the great Egyptian scored, it was harshly ruled out for a foul.

The Reds were stunned by Mbappé’s equaliser with only seven minutes left on the clock, pouncing and netting past Alisson in the box to make it 2-2.

But then came the super-sub, Roberto Firmino! Put on the bench because of an eye injury he sustained in his side’s win at Tottenham on Saturday, the great Brazilian came on to find the winner deep into stoppage time, beating Alphonse Areola with a low drive from a tight angle.

It was well deserved, with late drama or without, the Reds had outplayed the Red and Blues.

Thomas Tuchel was left wondering what the hell happened again as the last time the German met his compatriot Klopp at Anfield in 2016 with Dortmund, there was late drama and defeat as well. Deja vue!

This result makes it six out of six wins for the Reds, their best start to a season since 1961/62, and they have never been beaten in a European game at Anfield under their great German boss!

Hell yeah! #YNWA (nor get bored!)

Liverpool Goals: Sturridge 30’, Milner pen 36’ and Firmino 91’.

PSG Goals: Meunier 40’ and Mbappé 83’.

HT Stats: LFC 2-1 PSG 

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 8-7

On target: 5-4

Corners: 8-1

Fouls: 7-4

Bookings: 1-1

FT Stats: LFC 3-2 PSG

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 17-9

On target: 7-5

Corners: 13-1

Fouls: 14-10

Bookings: 1-1

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk (booked 27’), 12 Gomez, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum; 10 Mané (3 Fabinho 93’), 15 Sturridge (9 Firmino 72’), 11 Salah (23 Shaqiri 85’). 4-3-3

Subs not used: 8 Keita, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 32 Matip.

PSG Team: 16 Areola; 14 Bernat, 3 Kimpembe, 2 Thiago Silva (c), 12 Meunier (booked 45’+1’); 11 di María (17 Choupo-Moting 80’), 5 Marquinhos, 25 Rabiot; 10 Neymar, 9 Cavani (23 Draxler 80’), 7 Mbappé. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 4 Kehrer, 19 Diarra, 24 Nkunku, 34 N’Soki, 50 Cibois.

Referee: Cüneyt Çakir

Man of the match: Georginio Wijnaldum

Ground: Anfield

Attendance: 52,478

Click here for my last LFC match.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter, Sky Sports app and RMC Sport match coverage.

Reds Grind Out Win At Leicester

Sports - Football - Premier League - LCFC 1:2 LFC

Liverpool held on to their lead against Leicester to make it four wins out of the first four league games for the first time in 28 years, despite Alisson Becker's howler (63') and struggling against the Foxes after Sadio Mané (10') and Roberto Firmino (45') had put the Reds ahead at the King Power stadium.

Jürgen Klopp will have been a very relieved manager to have banked the three points despite the dominance by the home side and his team's flaws and errors after the restart in today's lunchtime kick-off.

Claude Puel will have been the more frustrated, having paid for their mistakes in the first half but not being able to make all their chances and breaks count to make a comeback in the second half, especially after Rachid Ghezzal pulled one back in such embarrassing and devastating fashion against the visitors.

Hence, it was a game of two very different halves.

Here are my live match notes as it all unfolded:

Vardy's still suspended for Leicester, Henderson's in for Keita, Lovren's still out for Liverpool. See the full line-up at the bottom of this post.

The King Power Stadium's louddddd!

KICK-OFF

5' Salah puts the rebound off Firmino's attempt wide, good save by Schmeichel against Bobby, Liverpool on top early on.

09:30 MANÉ GOAL! Robertson on the left side of the box, passes back to Mané in the box, through the heart of the Foxes' back defence to give the Reds the lead, easy finish for the Senegalese, his fourth goal, what a gap, too easy, BOOM! 0-1

15' All Liverpool, 66.1% possession to be exact.

20' Robertson again, putting Leicester under pressure, pushing, crossing and passing into the box from the left, but defended and cleared this time.

24' Best chance for Leicester so far, Gray runs clear of van Dijk, shoots, Alisson punches the ball away.

25' First corner for the home side, Alisson catches and throws clear, no pressure.

30' Gomez clears more Leicester pressure after Maddison set up Gray but he couldn't quite get to it.

32' Both sides give and take the ball, Albrighton takes a shot from distance, nowhere near.

33' Another shot from distance, Maddison this time, they are fuming to the ref about something, don't have a clue what they're on about...

34' Leicester free kick, flag is up, that's a waste.

36' Firmino concedes a free kick in the centre circle, trying to be flashy but handling the ball instead.

38' Milner is down, holding his head after clashing with Pereira on the rub. Play is stopped, but not for long, Leicester take their throw seconds later.

40' Another Leicester free kick, headed away. Missing all the fouls... ?! Soft one against Firmino I think this call was...

43' Mané with loads of space on the left, pulls the ball back, Liverpool trying to stretch the Foxes, Salah with a shot eventually, from the edge of the box, Schmeichel saves, out for a Red corner.

44' Milner takes, skipper Morgan heads it away for another Red corner.

45' Milner takes again, FIRMINO HEADS IT IN! The ball somehow bounces or just gets away from full-stretched Schmeichel's left glove and in. 0-2

Just one minute added on, Klopp couldn't have asked for a better start, Puel's birthday cake will taste very sour if it stays this way (he's gonna be 57 tomorrow).

Under Klopp, Firmino has been directly involved in 60 Premier League goals (37 goals, 23 assists), 15 more than any other Liverpool player. BOOM!

RESTART

48' Leicester chance wide, Ghezzal from the right, Alisson thought of going for it but then watched the ball go out for a goal kick.

50' Maddison shot from outside the box, nice curl, too much space, Alisson reads and catches it, easy, both gloves.

52' Maddison took and totally wasted Leicester's first corner of this half, wide. Liverpool throw. The home side keep the pressure up and going though, grabbing the ball back straight away, Maddison in the box again, CHANCE, wide. The Foxes are getting closer and closer, dominating this half so far.

55' Van Dijk is BOOKED for bringing down Maddison, free kick in dangerous territory outside the box for the Foxes. The wall does it's job and blocks any threat for the Reds.

57' Another Leicester corner, CHANCE, somehow Alisson gets the ball, there were three or four Leicester players clear on goal there! I can hear Klopp shouting his face off, no wonder! WTF?!

58' Liverpool counter, Salah mistimes his pass to Firmino, Leicester clear the threat.

59' Chilwell breaks on the left, his cross is headed away by Gomez.

60' LCFC 64%-36% LFC = 2nd half possession, home side coming and hitting back strongly...

61' SUB Iheanacho replaces Albrighton, first change made by Puel, can the home side make all their work pay and hit back?

62' Robertson chance wide, Red subs warming up as well.

62:21 ALISSON SCREWS UP, prances around the ball on the left side in the box, loses it to sub Iheanacho, runs back desperately, Ghezzal (who was booked earlier but I totally missed it) meets the fine pass and nets it, 1-2. WHAT A GOAL TO CONCEDE! OUCH! THAT'S WHY I HATE BACKPASSES!!!

67' The King Power stadium is super loud again now! Klopp is getting his subs ready...

69' Gray on the left, messes up the chance and/or pass, whatever it was supposed to be, Alisson collects. Sarcastic cheers all round.

71' SUBS Klopp rings in the changes, Salah's replaced by Shaqiri, Keita comes on for Henderson.

75' Leicester 5-1 Liverpool in chances this half! Puel is getting the next SUB ready... Gray is replaced by Okazaki.

78' Keita wins a free kick after being wrestled down, Liverpool play around the box, until Okazaki intercepts Shaqiri's pass.

79' Chilwell's down after Alexander-Arnold kicked the ball right into his best bits, OUCH!

80' Reds throw after the Fox recovered... Saying that, they are now waving for help, Chilwell goes off the pitch with his doc...

81' Liverpool try to waste time with the ball in the corner, Shaqiri is brought down and wins a free kick.

82' Milner takes, Mané heads it wide. Last change for the home side, Maddison comes off to be replaced by Amartey.

85' Mané on the left for Liverpool, the Foxes clear the threat, the Senegalese looks hurt in the process, nothing obvious... Seems okay after a few seconds...

86' Alexander-Arnold SHOT nowhere near, goal kick. Red fans are louder now.

87' Van Dijk kicks the ball clear, but Leicester keep pushing, Milner clears, not far, free kick to the home side, taken quickly, Keita blocks...

88' Mané down, free kick to the Reds, Mandy BOOKED for pushing the Senegalese down.

89' Last change for the Reds, Alexander-Arnold comes off for Matip. Free kick wasted, Schmeichel eventually collects the ball comfortably.

90' Shaqiri wins a corner on the right - FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON!!! Klopp doesn't look too happy about that. Milner takes the corner short with Shaqiri in front of him, Liverpool throw, they take their time, of course.

Gomez throw into the box, Leicester run clear, van Dijk puts the ball out for a throw, Klopp is loud and fuming. Liverpool fans singing YNWA... TENSE!!! Can the Reds hold on to the lead?

Milner is BOOKED for blocking and bringing down Pereira, another dangerous free kick, to Chilwell on the left, van Dijk whacks it out for a corner, Schmeichel comes up...

The ref has a word with Morgan and Matip... Van Dijk heads the corner away, Keita is down and free kick is given to the Reds eventually, Ndidi is BOOKED for his elbow/push, seconds to go.

Liverpool keep the ball well... AND HOLD ON TO THE LEAD TILL THE FINAL WHISTLE! THAT'S THREE POINTS - despite the embarrassing goal they conceded, the first of the season against Alisson.

Not a nice nor convincing win, but it's the points that count most and it's four wins out of four for the Reds! Boom!

Leicester Goal: Ghezzal 63'.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 10', Firmino 45'.

HT stats: LCFC 0-2 LFC
Possession: 47.4%-52.6%
Shots: 6-7
On target: 2-4
Offside: 2-0
Corners: 1-3
Fouls: 1-5
Bookings: 0-0

FT stats: LCFC 1-2 LFC
Possession: 51.2%-48.8%
Shots: 12-10
On target: 5-4
Offside: 3-2
Corners: 4-4
Fouls: 9-12
Bookings: 3-2

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 3 Chilwell, 15 Maguire, 5 Morgan (c), 14 Pereira; 25 Ndidi (booked 95'), 24 Mendy (booked 88'); 11 Albrighton (8 Iheanacho 61'), 10 Maddison (18 Amartey 82'), 31 Ghezzal (booked 61'); 7 Gray (20 Okazaki 76'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 6 Evans, 12 Ward, 21 Iborra, 28 Fuchs.

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 66 Alexander-Arnold (32 Matip 89'), 12 Gomez, 4 Van Dijk (booked 55'), 26 Robertson; 7 Milner (booked 93'), 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c) (8 Keita 71'); 11 Salah (23 Shaqiri 71'), 10 Mané, 9 Firmino. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 15 Sturridge, 18 Moreno, 20 Lallana, 22 Mignolet.

Referee: Paul Tierney
Man of the match: Joe Gomez
Stadium: The King Power Stadium
Attendance: 32,149

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app and RMC Sport match coverage.

Fighting Palace Fall 0-2 At Selhurst Park

Sports - Football - Premier League - PAL 0:2 LIV

Liverpool ended up 0-2 winners at Selhurst Park, thanks to a James Milner penalty (44') and injury-time goal from Sadio Mané (93'), but Crystal Palace certainly did not go down without a fight on Monday night.

Roy Hodgson was left fuming with some of the referee Michael Oliver’s decisions, including the Reds’ spot kick (44’) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s straight red card (75’). 

Jürgen Klopp was a very relieved and the much happier boss watching his side scrape and scratch out a win on the road.

Gulp, believe me when I say my heart was in my mouth for most of the match, it was so tense! Not an easy win, but all three points went to the Reds.

Here are my live match notes as it happened last night:

Both sides name unchanged sides from their wins on the season opening weekend, click here to read my Picks Of The Week 1, see the full line ups at the bottom of this blog.

It’s Liverpool’s 73rd Premier League game on a Monday, the most of any side.

15’ Action Areas: PAL 24%-68%-8% LIV, the Reds dominating, but not getting much from it.

25’ All LFC, till Keita giveaway, after Salah missed a couple of clear chances, Townsend's high powerful shot rises and dips over Alisson from outside the box, to come off the crossbar, first corner to the home side. CLOSE ONE!

28’ Hennessey saves Keita attempt on his near post, first Liverpool corner.

31’ Schlupp chance wide, for all the Red possession, Palace had the better, closer chances. Very important tackle by Gomez against Zaha on another counter!

34’ Possession: PAL 35%-65% LIV

35’ Robertson sends a chance high into the sky from just inside the box.

42’ first booking goes to van Aanholt for his scissor tackle on Milner who got away with a very physical challenge unnoticed shortly before.

44’ PENALTY! Salah down against Sakho, tangle and tackle, grabbing the shirt, kicking out more than once, clumsy challenge, theatrical fall but Michael Oliver had a perfect view.

45’ Milner takes AND SCORES! Hennessey dived the other way, the ball hits the back of the net!

One minute added on, home fans and team furious, boos all round, HT 0-1, better and closer chances for the hosts, however the dominating but wasteful visitors are leading from the spot.

Milner’s last 9 goals have all come from the spot, totalling 49 career PL goals and the Red skipper has not been on the losing side in any of the previous 47 PL games in which he has scored.

49’ Salah overruns, Keita puts it wide, a couple of chances wasted. The Egyptian king is not at his best so far, could and should have netted a couple at least.

52’ Alexander-Arnold booked for bringing down Zaha, failing against the forward’s fine run and trickery.

53’ Alisson saves Milivojevic’s top free kick, curling up and around the wall, punched away to the keeper’s left with both gloves.

55’ Palace corner, Selhurst Park getting louder, the home side have their tails up, Benteke with a high leap and powerful header, Alisson gets down to save it, the ref has whistled anyway. The Reds are under pressure, two attempts on target for the home side this half!

59’ 2nd half possession PAL 65%-35% LIV, Hodgson said something right at the break, the hosts are much more in the game since the restart!!!

67’ Henderson replaces Milner, Liverpool pushing and bossing a bit more again, but the skipper looked more and more frustrated, giving away a couple of reckless fouls. Benteke wasted a good chance high and wide earlier.

70’ Salah slips in the box, offside anyway.

71’ Sorloth replaces Benteke, that change was long overdue, it has not been a good game for the former Liverpool forward.

73’ Alisson collects Zaha's low shot, could’ve been fooled and beaten there by his own defender, but wasn’t.

75’ Salah breaks, runs solo, youngster Wan-Bissaka, who has had a brill match, takes the Egyptian down from behind, he was the last man. Michael Oliver doesn’t hesitate. STRAIGHT RED, Palace down to ten men for the last quarter of an hour.

77’ The free kick is right on the edge of the box, Salah takes, it comes off the wall and goes out for a corner, Hennessey was beaten there, but punches the corner clear and catches the rebound.

79’ Hodgson takes Townsend off, who has had the best chances, Ward replaces him.

80’ Sakho cooly chests the ball to his keeper Hennessey, Liverpool in command.

81’ Low shot by Mané off Salah in the box, Hennessey blocks and collects kneeling down.

82’ Penalty shout for Palace against Wijnaldum, did he get the ball cleanly? Yep, good tackle on McArthur actually.

83’ Meyer comes on for Schlupp, last change by Hodgson.

84’ Hennessey punches over Salah’s attempt, collects the resulting corner, keeping the home side’s glimmer of hope alive.

85’ Zaha pass across the box, finds no one... Gulp...

87’ Lallana comes on for Keita after an impressive performance.

90’ Firmino goes down in the box against a fine tackle by Tomkins, but he is outside the box, so, play continues, ten against ten.

FOUR minutes added on.

Free kick to Palace on the right, Lallana brought down Ward... Tense last seconds... Corner to the home side... Liverpool counter! Salah run, pass to Mané who keeps balance and composure to stay up and going past defender and keeper and scores! 0-2 and relief for the Reds!

Firmino is replaced by Sturridge in the final seconds.

Palace win another corner but it ends 0-2!!! Not top but strong and stubborn performance by the Reds, especially new signings Alisson and Keita impressed, and of course MOTM van Dijk! Another clean sheet and it's the first time under Klopp the Reds have won the first two opening games of the season! BOOM!

Liverpool Goals: Milner pen 45’ & Mané 93’. 

HT Stats: PAL 0-1 LIV

Possession: 32.2%-67.8%

Shots: 3-7

On target: 0-2

Offside: 1-1

Corners: 1-1

Fouls: 4-7

Bookings: 1-0

FT Stats: PAL 0-2 LIV

Possession: 36.9%-63.1%

Shots: 8-16

On target: 2-6

Offside: 2-2

Corners: 6-7

Fouls: 6-13

Bookings: 1-1

Red cards: 1-0

Crystal Palace Team: 13 Hennessey; 29 Wan-Bissaka (sent off 75’), 5 Tomkins, 12 Sakho, 3 van Aanholt (booked 42’); 15 Schlupp (7 Meyer 83’), 18 McArthur, 4 Milivojevic (c), 10 Townsend (2 Ward 72’); 11 Zaha, 17 Benteke (9 Sørloth 71’). 4-4-2

Subs not used: 31 Guaita, 8 Kouyaté, 14 Ayew, 34 Kelly.

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 66 Alexander-Arnold (booked 52’), 4 Van Dijk, 12 Gomez, 26 Robertson; 8 Keita (20 Lallana 87’), 5 Wijnaldum, 7 Milner (c) (14 Henderson 67’); 11 Salah, 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 94’), 10 Mané. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 18 Moreno, 23 Shaqiri, 32 Matip.

Referee: Michael Oliver

Man of the match: Virgil van Dijk

Ground: Selhurst Park

Attendance: 25,750

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and Sky Sports app and coverage.