Liverpool
Lois Karius: 7/10
Karius had his most involved game in the Premier League so far and gave a good account of himself barring a few blips. He could have flailed his arms for Palace’s first goal and barring that, he was good in dealing with crosses in the first-half.
He started the second-half well making decent saves, staying strong and holding onto crosses as Liverpool kept a second-half clean sheet.
Nathaniel Clyne: 7/10
Recently linked with a transfer to Manchester City, the right-back showed why so with a solid defensive display coupled with superb attacking partnership with Mane. He constantly delivered quality balls into the box and should have picked up an assist in the first-half if not for Mane’s miss.
He defended well with the team in the second-half as Palace turned the screw and continues to be a vital player in Klopp’s system.
Joel Matip: 7.5/10
The 6’5” centre-half was up for the physical challenge while his defensive partner struggled comparatively. He remained calm and composed throughout the game and scored his debut goal for Liverpool with a powerful header off a Coutinho corner.
He was lucky to not be penalised for a foul on Benteke in the second-half. Barring that, he equipped himself well dealing with Palace’s aerial threat and put on a fighting display.
Dejan Lovren: 6/10
The Croatian centre-half had a tale of two halves in the opening 25 minutes as his slice gifted Palace’s goal. However, he quickly made amends with a well-taken header to make up for the earlier mistake.
He continued to struggle as he was beaten easily by McArthur for his second goal. A tough evening for Lovren and he would expect to do better in the next game.
Alberto Moreno: 7/10
Moreno made his first league start since the opening weekend and spent more time in the Eagles half constantly getting away from Zaha which resulted in an assist for Liverpool’s opener. He constantly linked up with the attack and could have had a goal when he hit the post off a clever ball from Coutinho.
He struggled with the physicality of the Eagles in the second-half and Zaha managed to get the better of him on a few occasions. However, a good performance from the much-maligned left-back will bode him well.
Jordan Henderson: 7.5/10
The Liverpool captain was restored to the line-up after serving his one-match suspension in the EFL Cup. He slotted in naturally, making key interceptions, starting out attacks and always providing an outlet to receive the ball.
His well-timed pass to Firmino helped Liverpool secure a two-goal lead and the victory. A strong away display from Henderson shows his continued improvement in the no.6 role.
Emre Can: 7/10
Can was chosen over Wijnaldum to tackle the more physical presence of the Eagles team. He started slowly as he usually does but came into life with a well-taken goal to open the scoring.
He then put on an industrious performance battling the Palace attack while joining the Reds attack at every possible opportunity. A tidy outing coupled with a goal for the young German.
Adam Lallana: 7/10
One of the first names on the team-sheet, Lallana produced another strong display with his movement, link-up play and defensive work. His well-intended run took Tomkins away helping Liverpool score their fourth and run away with the game. However, he is yet to get back to his pre-injury form.
Sadio Mane: 7/10
The Senegalese winger posed problems to the Eagles defence all evening with his pace and movement. He missed a sitter in the first-half when Clyne slid a perfect ball in front of goal.
He beat the Eagles defence comfortably with his pace and timed a run to latch onto Coutinho’s ball in the second-half only to be denied by the keeper. A solid display from the Liverpool attacker as he proves to be instrumental in Liverpool’s sumptuous attack.
Philippe Coutinho: 9/10
The “Little Magician” was at it right from get-go with his vision and execution constantly getting the Reds into dangerous positions. He dropped deep constantly to start attacks and it was his superbly clipped ball to Moreno that led to the first goal. He followed that up with a perfect corner delivery for Lovren to head home.
The Eagles struggled to contain his movement and he was denied from a Firmino cross in the first-half. He picked up his second assist in the first-half for Matip’s header off another corner. He started the second-half brightly with a brilliantly threaded pass to Mane who failed to convert.
He had another opportunity towards the end after being set up by Mane, only to shoot straight at the keeper. Overall, a Man of the Match performance from the Liverpool no.10.
Roberto Firmino: 8/10
Firmino retained his starting spot ahead of Sturridge after the latter’s brace against Tottenham mid-week. His movement and quality were on full display in the first-half and could have picked up an assist for Coutinho’s denied header.
He chipped the ball expertly for his goal and could have scored another but for his decision to pass than take a shot in the second-half. He did well to lead the line in a tough away game and continues to show why he is preferred to Sturridge in Klopp’s system.
Substitutes
Georginio Wijnaldum: 6/10
Wijnaldum came on to provide stability as Liverpool’s midfield started to get knackered by Palace’s physicality and he did what was expected of him.
Divock Origi: 4/10
Origi came on in the dying minutes and hardly had a chance to make an impact.
Ragnar Klavan: 4/10
Klavan came on towards injury time to prevent a late Liverpool collapse.
