The Premier League champions made sure to top the table this Christmas as they faced the Eagles, scoring seven at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool’s 7-0 demolition of Crystal Palace on Saturday means Jurgen Klopp has won more top-level matches than any other Reds manager in the Premier League era.
Goals from Takumi Minamino, Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson, plus two from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, ensured that Liverpool would top the table at Christmas in style.
It was Klopp’s 127th victory in the Premier League, surpassing Rafael Benítez’s 126 total. And, while Benítez was in charge of 228 league games, Klopp has surpassed his record by just 196.
With a first Premier League title secured earlier this year, Klopp and his team will now undoubtedly have their sights set on another. Following a last-minute win over Tottenham midweek, Liverpool have a clear lead at the top of the table and will be looking to stretch it against West Brom next Sunday.
The quality of the goals scored, from Mane’s mighty effort on the turn to Firmino’s deft touch and finish and Salah’s long-range curler, sent a message to his title rivals, but there was also an indication of how complete was Liverpool’s performance.
Each of their goals was assisted by a different player, the first time seven different players have assisted goals for a team in a Premier League game.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson said before the game that he thought Jordan Henderson had already earned a future statue outside of Anfield, and the Klopp captain was delighted with the killing instinct his team displayed.
“I thought we were relentless today and we took a chance, which is always important,” Henderson said BT sport.
“We dominated the game for long periods, but I still thought that sometimes we were careless. Overall, we are delighted with the performance. Finishing this week with victory after the middle of the week is important and we did it.
“It was coming. I felt that in the last games we have had chances and we have not taken advantage of them, which has cost us at times.
“I thought we were really good midweek and again today, so we just need to keep up the momentum and work hard.”
After the home game with West Brom, Liverpool closes 2020 with a trip to Newcastle before an away game against Southampton to start the new year.
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