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As much as a championship performance, it was different individual displays of Liverpool’s exacting quality and a goal-of-the-month competition, all in one match. This 7-0 win over Crystal Palace was such a special victory and one that defined an era like anything we’ve seen in Jurgen Klopp’s half decade at the helm. And that in a season in which they have moved a bit away from their highest level. It was so good, so sinister to everyone else. It was also a record, like his biggest away win in the league.
They raised it when necessary to outperform the entire league, and a generally lower quality season. That may be the case for this title race as a whole.
In that, this has the potential to be a watershed week, and you can feel how transformative the win over Tottenham Hotspur could have been. He could see its importance in the reaction and response at Selhurst Park.
There is also something instructive, given the Spurs’ performance at this stadium just six days ago.
José Mourinho’s side had the lead and a chance to reach the top before such a crucial match, but backed down and wasted it, before suffering a similar approach at Anfield. Liverpool won that, rose up and stepped into something so dazzlingly resonant here. Suddenly, they look in full control at the top and near their top level.
This season, of course, he has a habit of outwitting people and making predictions ridiculous, so everything could change so quickly again in a matter of weeks.
It’s just that Liverpool also have a habit of making fun of people, especially with the speed with which they can change a game.
Minamino started the ball. in the third minute
(Reuters)
That was repeatedly illustrated throughout this game, and from the very beginning.
Any concerns about Jurgen Klopp resting Mohamed Salah, who was, at least prior to this, Liverpool’s only leading forward in shape, dissipated in just three minutes.
Takumi Minamino stepped forward by cleverly changing his body, before scoring a fine goal set by Sadio Mane. That was also a sign of improvement from their supplier.
However, before that, Palace really had a spell when it seemed they could get something out of the game, when they were exposing, yes, flaws on this side of Liverpool.
Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew will regret a move in which the latter had a chance to play the easier pass, but wasted it.
Mane set up Minamino before scoring the second himself
(AFP via Getty)
It’s hard to know if that would have given them a chance, or just downplayed the eventual humiliation.
Liverpool made sure they didn’t get another chance, punishing them brutally. Mane’s powerful ending fully reflected that sentiment.
That was the Senagelese’s first goal in 10 games, and as sure a sign as any that they were getting back into form.
Another sign was the sublime quality of the third goal. This was something straight out of the 2018/19 or 2019/20 seasons, as Andy Robertson and Roberto Firmino traded the more expansive of the two, before the Brazilian ended divinely. After just two goals in 19 games this season before Wednesday, it was three of two as he went on to make it 5-0 with a sumptuous chip.
When Henderson scored the fourth, Liverpool were in full flight.
(AFP via Getty)
That was in the middle of what was his own goal-of-the-month competition, when Jordan Henderson huddled in the fourth with a superb curling effort, before Salah, who eventually replaced the enraged Mane, followed suit from the other. side.
The Egyptian had scored a more mundane sixth goal before that, but that was another ominous sign in itself. There was hunger in Liverpool, a voracity, since everyone wanted to participate; everyone saw the opportunity to score goals.
You just had to watch Mane’s reaction on leaving, and Curtis Jones wanted to move on.
They felt there was more. There may well be more to come.
Salah came off the bench to add a late double
(AFP via Getty)
It is even more impressive that Liverpool have produced this considering the players they still lack and those who have to return. A midfielder as good as Thiago Alcantara has yet to fit into this.
The afternoon ended with Henderson, arguably the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, wondering which goal was the best.
But there is no question which team is the best or what has been their best performance of the season so far.
This will take a bit of a beating.
