Record-breaking Sadio Mane’s 100th Liverpool goal set Jurgen Klopp’s side on the way to 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace which took them top of the table.
Mane became the first player in Premier League history to score against the same opponent in nine consecutive matches, beating Robin van Persie’s eight in a row against Stoke
His close-range strike just before half-time also made him the 18th man to bring up a century of goals for the club in his 224th appearance.
💯 Reds goals for Mane 👏😍
The newest #LFC centurion! pic.twitter.com/LuPf7eQTH4— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 18, 2021
Advertisement
Mohamed Salah’s rich form continued as his volley 12 minutes from time meant he has only failed to score in one of his six games this season with a sumptuous left-footed volley from substitute Naby Keita finishing proceedings with a flourish.
Just like against AC Milan in midweek Liverpool made hard work of a game in which they created numerous chances.
Klopp made six changes – including his entire back four – from the midweek Champions League tie which meant his side started a league match without either Andy Robertson (rested) or Trent Alexander-Arnold (ill) in the team for the first time since December 2018.
It did, however, afford Anfield its first look at summer signing Ibrahima Konate, lining up in central defence alongside the returning Virgil van Dijk.
Perhaps understandably there were some teething problems with a defence that had never played together before and a shaky start saw Alisson forced to tip Wilfried Zaha’s attempted lob from close range onto a post.
150 games 🔴
99 goals ⚽
2x golden boots 👟
1x Premier League title 🏆@MoSalah's record in the @PremierLeague is simply 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 👑 pic.twitter.com/gnrkqPvA3q— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 18, 2021
Konate was first extended in a foot race with Zaha, with the winger going down in the area but he did not appeal for a penalty and none was given.
The big centre-back passed his second test as well as, one-on-one with Christian Benteke, he blocked the striker’s near-post shot.
They were the rare Palace attacks as the home side dominated throughout and would have been ahead well before the 43rd minute had they shown more composure in front of goal.
Klopp’s side were frustrated for a long period by Palace’s discipline and organisation which saw them get men behind the ball quickly to regain their shape.
Diogo Jota fired over from a narrow angle after Kostas Tsimikas and Mane combined, Jordan Henderson’s far-post attempt was palmed behind, Thiago Alcantara’s weak shot was blocked by a crowd of defenders and an acrobatic Mane effort went for a corner.
But the worst came last as Thiago’s header was parried by Vicente Guaita only for Jota, who had a poor game against Milan, to blaze over from three yards.
Mane showed him how it should be done, however, when Salah’s glancing header from Tsimikas’ corner was half-stopped by the goalkeeper and the Senegal forward pounced to lash home.
Fewer chances were created in the second half as the game became scrappier before Palace boss Patrick Vieira turned to Odsonne Edouard, who scored twice on his debut last weekend, just past the hour.
But the direction of travel remained roughly the same with Guaita producing a double save from Mane and Salah.
Jordan Ayew wasted a promising opportunity when he opted to shoot rather than crossing for Zaha, who had escaped the clutches of James Milner for once in the game, while Edouard was smothered by Alisson as he somehow found space in the penalty area.
But the visitors’ hopes of snatching something from the game were snuffed out when Salah volleyed home at a corner, whipping his shirt off in celebration at his 99th Premier League goal for the club.
Alisson denied Edouard again before Keita added the gloss with a sweetly-struck shot.
