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Liverpool have continued their perfect start to the 2018/19 Premier League season after grinding out a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
In a competitive first half, Naby Keita's lovely ball created the first chance for Salah, who lobbed it way over the bar. Keita's inaccurate pass moments later gave Andros Townsend an opportunity to strike from long-range, something he hardly ever turns down and was unlucky as his shot beat Alisson but hit the bar.
On the verge of half-time, Mamadou Sakho was adjudged to have tripped up Mohamed Salah allowing James Milner to step up and slot it home.
In the second half, Luka Milivojevic came close to an equaliser with a curling free-kick that was beaten around the post by Alisson.
20 minutes later, with Salah clean through on goal, Aaron Wan-Bissaka brought the Egyptian down. It's was a cruel end to the game for the 20-year-old who was certainly a standout performer during the game.
In added time, Liverpool sealed the win after countering Palace's corner kick with Mane ending up with a tap in to make it 2-0.
Here are four key takeaways from the game:
#1 Van Dijk prevails again
Virgil Van Dijk, if not the best, is one of the great centre-backs the Premier League has to offer.
The Dutchman hardly gave the sturdy Christian Benteke a sniff, completing nine ariel duals over the match and eight clearances.
He was very assured in his ability to contribute to Liverpool's possession too, attempting the second most passes and doing so with a 92.4% accuracy.
Van Dijk is integral to Klopp's side, not only with his defensive know how but leadership to the young Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
#2 Wan-Bissaka has a huge future on his hands
He may have received a straight red card, but the time he was on the pitch, young Aaron Wan-Bissaka coped with Sadio Mane while providing an attacking outlet superbly.
In the first half, Wan-Bissaka completed more dribbles than anyone else with four, remember this is whilst sharing a pitch with the likes of Salah, Firmino, and Zaha.
He was a willing runner all game, and only a lack of experience saw him leave the pitch early.
#3 Oh Mane, Mane!
Whereas Wan-Bissaka was the most successful dribbler of the first half, Sadio Mane completed five take-ons out of an attempted six by the end of the match.
Mane got his third goal of the season, after his double at Anfield against West Ham last Sunday, after a swift counter-attack from Palace's last-minute corner.
With Salah having an off day in front of goal and Firmino not as lively as usual, Mane stepped up to ensure Liverpool head back to Merseyside with another win.
#4 Klopp has all the tools to challenge on all fronts
After heavy investment during the summer transfer window, Liverpool improved weak areas such as with Alisson and the squad depth with additions like Shaqiri.
Klopp now has the right equipment to push Manchester City to their max and make another surge for the UEFA Champions Leauge, and expect him and his side to do so.
This season marks the first where Liverpool have won their opening two league games under Klopp. After thrashing West Ham last week, Liverpool showed their other side in their capability to grind out wins in tough away games.
