Key Takeaways
- Alexander Isak scored his first goal since December as Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Anfield.
- Stand-in keeper Freddie Woodman produced several fine saves on his full league debut for the Reds.
- The win lifts Liverpool eight points clear of Brighton in the race for next season’s Champions League places.
Liverpool made it three Premier League wins in a row after overcoming Crystal Palace 3-1 at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Sweden striker Alexander Isak, playing only his fifth match since recovering from a broken leg, opened the scoring with a smart finish in the 35th minute. The club-record signing controlled Alexis Mac Allister’s miscued shot before firing low past Palace keeper Dean Henderson.
Five minutes later, stand-in goalkeeper Freddie Woodman — starting his first league game for the club — denied Jean-Philippe Mateta with a brilliant save. Liverpool broke straight upfield and Andy Robertson slid in the second goal, sparking celebrations that included the centre-backs sprinting to congratulate Woodman.
Palace pulled one back in controversial fashion midway through the second half. With Woodman hurt after stopping a shot from Ismaïla Sarr, defender Daniel Muñoz lofted the loose ball into an empty net. Referees allowed the goal to stand despite Liverpool protests.
Mohamed Salah limped off with a suspected hamstring problem shortly afterwards, raising fears the Egyptian may have played his final home match for the club before his expected summer exit.
Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz settled nerves in the sixth minute of added time, curling in his first goal since January to seal the points.
The victory moves Jürgen Klopp’s side up to fourth, eight points ahead of sixth-placed Brighton with four fixtures remaining. Palace, whose focus now turns to a UEFA Conference League semi-final on Thursday, stay mid-table on 43 points.
