Premier League Notes - Week 19

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 19

The 19th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

28 goals - most by Man United and Liverpool = 4 each 

238 shots - most by Man United = 22

76 on target - most by Man United = 10

98 corners - most by Everton = 10

195 fouls - most by Aston Villa and Everton = 15 each

36 bookings - most by Tottenham, Bournemouth and Arsenal = 4 each

1 red card - Ederson for Man City

3 penalties - 3 scored (Norwood for Sheff United, Milner for Liverpool, Sterling for Man City)

#TOTBHA

Adam Webster headed the Seagulls ahead (37’) after the VAR disallowed Harry Kane’s opener, very close, very harsh, offside (25’). But the record striker couldn’t be denied when he netted the rebound to level the score after the restart (53’) after Mathew Ryan saved his first attempt. And Dele Alli turned the game around with a nice looping take across and into the far corner (72’). Brighton put up a great fight, Spurs were knackered but winners in the end, lucky to not be down to ten, or even nine men though! Graham Potter was gutted to see his hardworking side leave London with nothing. Tottenham boss José Mourinho has never lost in eight PL games on Boxing Day (W6 D2), managing more games without defeat on the day than any other manager in the competition. Chosen.

#AVINOR

Not much to write about until the second half: Villa were unable to clear a corner and Alex Tettey smacked in a low shot but Douglas Luiz did brilliantly to make a sprawling clearance to somehow knock the ball over the crossbar. The home side took the lead after super work by Jack Grealish in the box to set up a fine hit by Conor Hourihane, making sure his team mate’s hard work was rewarded and the opposition punished for their misses (65’). Tom Heaton denied the Canaries any way back into the game, stopping Marco Stiepermann's thumping drive late on. The result ends a four-match losing streak for Dean Smith's side, pushing fellow-strugglers Norwich back down to the bottom. 

#BOUARS

Somehow Dan Gosling was able to find his way through and past four Arsenal players to give the home side the lead at the Vitality stadium (36’). What’s marking for again? And that was after the Gunners were denied again and again at the other end, they were punished for playing and losing the ball at the back. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang passed the ball in unmarked to level the score (64’). Again, I think the defenders need to Google-search marking, man-marking, the basics of defending! Callum Wilson was clearly offside when netting a rebound from close range (82’), keeping the score at a goal and point each and showing Mikel Arteta what job he has on his hands, the Gunners remaining in the bottom half of the table. The Cherries had lost six of their previous seven league matches, the point pulling them down to 16th, two points from the drop zone.

#CHESOU

The Saints broke the Christmas afternoon deadlock with a lovely individual goal, Michael Obafemi’s fine finish into the top corner (32’). And after dozens of passes, a GIF-book Stuart Armstrong jump and pass to Nathan Redmond, a stab-in past keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, made another lovely lovely setup and finish to double the visitors’ lead (73’) and serve much deserved Christmas celebrations for Ralph Hasenhüttl and co, the win taking them up to 14th, three points safe from relegation. Frank Lampard’s side stay fourth after losing consecutive home league games for the first time since 2011. 

#CRYWHU

73% of the Eagles' goals this season have come in the second half. But it was the Hammers who broke the deadlock after the break, Robert Snodgrass out of nowhere with a lovely shot across goal into the far corner (57’). An easy equaliser, low take from inside the box, by Cheikhou Kouyaté got the home side back into the game (68’). And what an extraordinary touch, turn, touch and take past everyone and everything by Jordan Ayew it was to give the hosts a last-minute winner (89’). An unforgettable comeback for Roy Hodgson and his men, Selhurst Park bouncing seeing their side wining and climbing up to ninth, whilst pressure is increasing on Manuel Pellegrini, his side down to 17th, just one point from the drop zone.

#EVEBUR

Everton had 12 shots in the first half - the most they've attempted in the first half of a Premier League game at Goodison Park without scoring since April 2017 (also against Burnley). New boss Carlo Ancelotti had to wait close to 80 minutes to see a diving Dominic Calvert-Lewin find the Toffees’ breakthrough with his header across goal bouncing in off the post. So, a winning start for the new Italian boss, taking the side up to 13th.

#SHUWAT

Chris Basham was flagged offside as he played the ball across for John Fleck to turn it in, the VAR checked and confirmed, no goal for United. It was the visitors who broke through soon after, thanks to a fine run and finish by Gerard Deulofeu (27’), man-marking missing totally, yet again (I seem to be writing that A LOT in the PL). The hosts hit back from the spot, one of the softest of the soft penalties, Will Hughes not doing much wrong on George Baldock, the VAR didn’t dare to overturn, skipper Oliver Norwood made no mistake of converting and equalising (36’). Both sides seemed to be happy to settle for a point each in the end.

#MUNNEW

Ninth v 10th: Matty Longstaff gave the visitors a deserved lead, a low shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner (17’), after Dwight Gayle missed a couple of not-sitters-but-oh-so-good-chances. Anthony Martial found the equaliser, off Martin Dúbravka’s glove and in (24’), the keeper should have kept that soft shot from inside the box out. A present for Mason Greenwood put the hosts ahead (36’), what was Fabian Schär doing?! His pass back made it too easy for the United youngster, still, a top-quality finish. Marcus Rashford made it three (42’), the Magpies all over the place, easy header. Martial made no mistake of capitalising on yet another defensive giveaway to make it 4-1 (51’). Too easy. The scoreline does not reflect how poor United are, just how wasteful, weak and woeful Steve Bruce’s men were. And it could have been better/worse = 12-1. Ole Ole Ole Ole rang around Old Trafford for the first time in a while. The love/hate relationship with Christmas and Manchester continues for both sides: The Red Devils haven’t lost at home in the league on Boxing Day since 1978 (W16 D3), whilst it's been 89 years since Newcastle last completed a league double over Manchester United. 

#LEILIV

Liverpool had won their previous four Boxing Day matches in the PL, by an aggregate score of 11-0, but never won five consecutive such matches in their league history. Records are there to be broken and the Reds keep doing it! Roberto Firmino headed the league leaders ahead (31’). Since the start of last season, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has provided 19 assists in the Premier League, more than any other player. The Foxes didn’t record a single shot in the first half. It got more and more tense after the restart, until Çağlar Söyüncü's handball, the VAR checked and confirmed, penalty. Sub James Milner converted with his first touch of the match to double the visitors' lead (71’). Firmino brace (74’) and Trent from provider to scorer (78’) completed the onslaught. Leicester had conceded just five goals in nine home games this season before the Reds arrived. Wow. Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr Jürgen Klopp! Booming into 2020! 

#WOLMCI

Diogo Jota was played in over the top and lifted the ball over Ederson before the keeper took him out. Couldn’t avoid it, red card (12’). Another loooooong VAR check followed for a foul to be given against Leander Dendoncker, after replays showed he tread on Riyad Mahrez’s boot. Raheem Sterling’s penalty take was saved by Rui Patrício, to then get a second chance, because of player encroachment, saved again, but the former Liverpool man netted the rebound to give the Citizens the lead (25’). The crowd was going absolutely bonkers mad, understandably so. Sterling doubled the lead shortly after the restart, set up by Kevin De Bruyne, nice runs and takes by both (50’). Adama Traoré pulled one back for the home side, into the bottom left corner, low whacker, finally and fully deserved (55’). Hungry scorer to even hungrier and stronger provider, beating Benjamin Mendy too easy to set up Raúl Jiménez, easy tap-in equaliser from close range (83’). Game. On. And yes, they did it, Matt Doherty turned the game and stadium on its head with a lovely run, move and low hit, 3-2 (90’). The noise! Sterling hit the woodwork in the 93rd minute, just to top the absolute madness of the match at Molineux. It ended 3-2, a fully deserved win. Pep Guardiola can have no complaints, Nuno Espírito Santo can be very proud of his side's mad fightback, taking them up to fifth.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Tottenham 3:1 Brighton - 2:1

Aston Villa 2:1 Norwich - 1:0

Bournemouth 1:2 Arsenal - 1:1

Chelsea 2:1 Southampton - 0:2

Crystal Palace 1:1 West Ham - 2:1

Everton 2:0 Burnley - 1:0

Sheff United 2:0 Watford - 1:1

Man United 2:2 Newcastle - 4:1

Leicester 1:2 Liverpool - 0:4

Wolves 1:2 Man City - 3:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 23

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 23

The 23rd week of the Premier League action saw:

33 goals - most by Wolves and Liverpool = 4 each

236 shots - most by Man United = 20

79 on target - most by Liverpool = 9

112 corners - most by Cardiff and Tottenham = 10 each

201 fouls - most by Chelsea = 15

27 bookings - most by Wolves, Leicester and Tottenham = 3 each

1 red card - Milner for Liverpool

1 penalty - 1 scored (Pogba for United)

What a match! The first match of the weekend, the early kick-off on Saturday at the Molineux, was the craziest! Jota scored a hat-trick for Wolves (4’, 64’, 90’+3’), their first in the top flight since 1977, to make it 4-3 to the hosts against Leicester. The 22-year-old is only the second Portuguese player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League after former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Boss Nuno Espírito Santo was sent off for taking part in the celebrations on the pitch after the injury-time winner. Claude Puel was not happy, his side still ending up losers despite their second-half comeback and it looked like captain Wes Morgan had grabbed a late point for the visitors (87'). "Sacked in the morning" chants were directed at the Frenchman after a dire first half, the result seeing the Wanderers overtake the Foxes, the prior rising to eighth, whilst the latter fall to ninth.

What a team! League leaders Liverpool didn’t make it easy for themselves in the Saturday crunch match against their bogey team Crystal Palace at Anfield, but still got there in the end. The Reds were better after the restart, trailing thanks to some poor defending handing Andros Townsend the opener (34’), the first real break ending up in a goal for Roy Hodgson’s men. The second half was absolute madness, the home front trio all on the scoreboard, but the visitors not giving up that easily, it ended up a nerve-wrenching 4-3 home-victory. Mohamed Salah starred with a brace (46’, 75’), calming the nerves shortly after the break, including his 50th Premier League goal. Team mates Roberto Firmino (53’) and Sadio Mané (90’+3’) joined the great Egyptian on the scoreboard to seal the win for the league leaders. James Tomkins (65’) and Max Meyer (95’) found the gaps on the other side, and James Milner was sent walking by his former PE teacher Jon Moss after seeing two yellow for two late and daft tackles (89’). Boss Jürgen Klopp could breath a sigh of relief after the full-time whistle blew, with the rest of the Reds. The German hailed his world-class striker after celebrating the difficult win against the last side to beat his team at home in the league back in April 2017, jumping and punching into the air with the Kop.

Manchester City kept the gap at the top to four points after their comfortable 0-3 win at managerless Huddersfield on Sunday, including their 100th goal of the season already! 

What a man! And it’s seven wins out of seven games for Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær - a record maker with six out of six victories in the league! Paul Pogba (pen 27’) and Marcus Rashford (42’) were the match-takers-and-makers again, a penalty and superb goal respectively, sealing the win for the Red Devils against Brighton at Old Trafford. Pascal Groß halved the deficit later on (72’), but Chris Hughton’s side continued their miserable record, making it five defeats in their last eight league matches, keeping them in 13th, whilst United remain in sixth.

Everton’s miserable run on the road continued at Southampton. Wonder-man Ralph Hasenhüttl has won four of his eight games since replacing Mark Hughes (who won three of his 22 matches) at St Mary's. It was a nice opener for James Ward-Prowse (50’), cheeky one for Nathan Redmond - a Lucas Digne own goal in the end actually, the French left-back toe-poking it past his own keeper Jordan Pickford (64’). A Toffee horror show! Gylfi Sigurðsson pulled one back in injury time (90’+1’), but it was too little too late. A tense finish to the fourth victory, the Austrian master taking his team up to 15th, three points clear of the drop zone. Marco Silva on the other hand, is not happy, conceding the Saints deserved three points, his side failing and falling to eleventh.

What a goal! What a run and fine guided goal it was from Fabian Schär, opening the scoring against Cardiff (24’)! It was the Swiss defender’s first goal for Newcastle, helping his side to a crucial win in the relegation battle. And he doubled the lead from close range off a corner (63’). It was the Magpies’ first home win since November, an absolute nightmare for the Welsh visitors. Some brilliant sportsmanship was shown by Ayoze Pérez, kicking out the ball with his side on the attack after defender Joe Bennett looked like he was knocked out cold. The Spanish midfielder tapped in the third in injury time (90’+3’), which sealed the win and points for the home side and a much happier Rafa Benítez with his side climbing out of the drop zone, up to 17th, two points ahead of the Bluebirds.

The late disallowed Burnley goal at Watford, a tap-in by Chris Wood, looked in line = onside! Crucial, cruel - both keepers did well though, Tom Heaton for the visitors and Ben Foster for the hosts, to make sure both sides kept clean sheets and their 2019 unbeaten start intact. Clarets boss Sean Dyche made a good point and his frustration clear on that decision after the match. Still, unbeaten in the last four is not too bad. And only one defeat in eight for the Hornets as well.

It was a deserved victory for the home side at the Vitality stadium after Andy Carroll’s point-blank miss, Callum Wilson’s one-touch smacker (53’) and Joshua King’s tap in (90’+1’), great balls, superb finishes, sealed West Ham’s misery, sweet win and huge points for Eddie Howe, the Hammers falling down to 10th, whilst Bournemouth remain 12th.

What the hell?! Chelsea were below par in the Saturday evening kick-off, no discrediting Arsenal, great result for them to get closer to breaking into the top four. The Gunners fired themselves ahead thanks to Alexandre Lacazette (14’) and on top before the break through captain Laurent Koscielny (39’). The three points keep the East London side in fifth, ahead of United in sixth on goal difference, three points behind the Blues in fourth. It was an extraordinary post-match rant by boss Maurizio Sarri after watching his side struggle and fail to record a single shot on target after the interval - surely, having a go at his team like that, the Italian won’t last much longer?! Reminds me of a certain jobless Portuguese...

Tottenham’s injury-time winner at Fulham, what was the on-loan keeper Sergio Rico thinking?! Taking a short free kick in the box in the dying seconds is asking for trouble, and handed Harry Winks the chance on a golden plate to make it 1-2 at Craven Cottage (90’+3’). Poor Claudio Ranieri, watching his side playing much better, but then still falling and failing to record a point, staying stuck in 19th, seven points from safety. Lucky Spurs. And Mauricio Pochettino couldn’t believe it himself, the win keeping Tottenham in third, five points behind City in second, four points ahead of Chelsea in fourth.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Wolves 0:1 Leicester - 4:3

Bournemouth 1:2 West Ham - 2:0

Liverpool 3:1 Crystal Palace - 4:3

Man United 2:1 Brighton - 2:1

Newcastle 1:1 Cardiff - 3:0

Southampton 2:3 Everton - 2:1

Watford 3:2 Burnley - 0:0

Arsenal 1:2 Chelsea - 2:0

Huddersfield 0:4 Man City - 0:3

Fulham 1:1 Tottenham - 1:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

LFC Unable To Cope With PSG

Sports - Football - Champions League - PSG 2:1 LFC

Paris St Germain ended up easy 2-1 winners at the Parc des Princes, beating and frustrating the hell out of Liverpool, in their crucial Champions League group clash on Wednesday night.

The result means the Reds drop down to third in group C and will have to beat group-topping Napoli 1-0 or by two goals if they concede in the final and decisive group match on 11th December.

The French league leaders could not have asked for a better atmosphere and start to the match, Juan Bernat giving the hosts the lead, capitalising at the near post after Virgil van Dijk was unable to clear Kylian Mbappé’s cross into the box (13’).

Record-signing Neymar doubled the lead, slotting home from close range after Edinson Cavani’s attempt was saved by Alisson (37’).

James Milner pulled a goal back for the visitors after Sadio Mané was fouled in the box by Ángel Di María just before the break.

Referee Szymon Marciniak had originally given a corner before the linesman made him overturn his decision and point to the spot.

The Polish official was very inconsistent with his calls throughout the night, giving the hosts free kicks for every little touch and turn and dramatic fall, whilst the visitors were left wondering.

Marco Verratti was only cautioned when he lunged in with studs up onto Joe Gomez’s shin (24’) and got away with plenty more challenges after that, whilst one Liverpool player after another got booked (six in total).

Like Jürgen Klopp said after the match, the Reds were definitely not good enough, but the referee made it much worse:

“It looked like we were butchers when you look at the yellow cards we had. It was clever of PSG.”

Clever indeed, cause it frustrated the hell out of the visitors and they were unable to cope with the antiques and calculated overall control by Thomas Tuchel’s men.

The second half was interrupted again and again by someone rolling around, chances were hard to come by either end, any momentum impossible.

The Red front trio were covered well, surrounded whenever the ball came near them, any danger controlled and cleared quickly.

Marquinhos saw a goal disallowed for offside (47’) and his header from the centre of the box was kept out well by Brazilian compatriot Alisson (70’).

Gianluigi Buffon had nothing to do or even worry about on the other side of the pitch, the penalty being the only shot on target from the opposition.

In 16 years, Milner had never lost a game in which he scored, but records are there to be broken, and that one was shattered last night in Paris.

As painful as it was to watch, the Reds know they can do it, the kings of comebacks, just like they did in 2005. Again. And again. 

Klopp just has to look at and question his lineup and formation as it is just not working.

Jordan Henderson and Milner didn’t work too well together in the middle, Van Dijk and Gomez were disturbed by Dejan Lovren and at the front it’s still not clicking.

And it was harsh on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xherdan Shaqiri, after their brill goals and displays in the league, not to give them a look into this crucial game.

Last season, the Reds were on fire, but leaked too much. This season, it seems like there is more stability but also a weird hesitance, odd caution, annoying softness, worrying weakness to the side, making it difficult for themselves to ignite that flame and take over and find that BOOM again.

When will it finally all click???

PSG Goals: Bernat 13’ and Neymar 37’.

LFC Goals: Milner pen 45’+1’.

Match Stats: PSG 2-1 LFC

Possession: 44%-56%

Shots: 12-8

On target: 8-1

Corners: 5-5

Fouls: 12-20

Bookings: 2-6

PSG Team: 1 Buffon; 14 Bernat, 3 Kimpembe, 2 Thiago Silva (c), 4 Kehrer; 10 Neymar (booked 90’+4’), 6 Verratti (booked 24’), 5 Marquinhos, 11 di María (13 da Silva 65’); 7 Mbappé (25 Rabiot 85’), 9 Cavani (17 Choupo-Mouting 65’). 4-4-2

Subs not used: 16 Areola, 23 Draxler, 27 Diaby, 34 N’Soki.

LFC Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson (booked 90’+3’), 4 van Dijk (booked 90’+1’), 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez (booked 34’); 7 Milner (23 Shaqiri 77’), 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum (booked 17’) (8 Keita 66’, booked 90’+5’); 10 Mané, 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 71’, booked 84’), 11 Salah. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 3 Fabinho, 22 Mignolet, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)

Man of the match: Marquinhos 

Ground: Parc des Princes

Attendance: 46,880

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, post-match reaction and Sky Sports app.

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.

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

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