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Crystal Palace v Liverpool: Reds continue heavy metal form in London

By Thomas Atzenhoffer

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace and Adam Lallana of Liverpool compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace and Adam Lallana of Liverpool compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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Crystal Palace versus Liverpool has been one of the games to watch the last few years and again it lived up to that promise in a six goal thriller.

In a match that has seen much drama in recent history, Liverpool traveled to Selhurst Park in hopes of a positive result and once again it was an action packed tie between the Eagles and Reds.

Multiple players for the home side have history with Liverpool with Jason Puncheon, Martin Kelly and most recently Christian Benteke having made the move to Selhurst and all three were looking to make a positive impact against their former employers.

However, it was the visitors that once again started the scoring as Emre Can opened his account this season in the 16th minute thanks to an assist from Alberto Moreno.

The lead was short-lived though as a mistake at the back this time from Dejan Lovren hung Loris Karius out to dry and allowed James McArthur equalize only moments late.

But, in true fashion for this fixture as of late it was all action as Liverpool pushed forward to earn a corner and Lovren powered home a brilliant bit of service from Philippe Coutinho to send the Reds back in front.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: James McArthur (C) of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his team mates during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: James McArthur (C) of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his team mates during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /

Once again though it would be a short-lived lead for Liverpool as McArthur doubled his tally with a second headed effort to beat Karius thanks to a cross from Wilfried Zaha.

It would not be a complete first though without even more drama as the end to end battle continued and Liverpool would take the lead yet again through a headed effort from a set piece as Joel Matip was not to be outdone by his partner and saw the Reds ahead yet again.

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The first half came to a close and it was a game that made you not hardly be able to wait through halftime, but the Reds would never again trail.

Former Liverpool forward Benteke came close early on thanks to some great service on a set piece given up by Emre Can’s yellow card, and the Belgian had another close change within the same minute but failed to hit the target.

A hard pressing opening first several minutes saw Palace earn another corner but saw the Reds then earn the ball back on the break and force an impressive save from Steve Mandanda.

Palace again took to the attack and put together another positive several minutes on the front foot and it looked like their third goal was just within reach.

But it was not to be as Liverpool again started to swing the momentum back the other way as Coutinho again came close to scoring as he twisted and turned his way through three defenders only to force another save from Mandanda.

Crystal Palace’s Ivorian-born English striker Wilfried Zaha (R) vies with Liverpool’s German midfielder Emre Can during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on October 29, 2016. (GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace’s Ivorian-born English striker Wilfried Zaha (R) vies with Liverpool’s German midfielder Emre Can during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on October 29, 2016. (GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) /

A penalty shout for Palace came soon after as Can could have earned his second yellow as he looked to have thrown Zaha to the ground just inside the area, but it was waved off.

Just over a minute later however the Eagles switched off for just long enough to allow Jordan Henderson to thread the needle to Roberto Firmino and the Brazilian chipped Mandanda to put the Reds 2-4 up as the run of play was completely thwarted on the 71st minute.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /

At that point the substitutions continued as the introduction of Androw Townsend at the 66th minute was now followed up with Liverpool bringing off Georginio Wijnaldum on for Adam Lallana and Jason Puncheon made way for Joe Ledley for Palace on the 74th and 76th minutes.

Liverpool took control of the game as they began to retain possession and started to push for a fifth goal of the game to try to ensure there was no way for Palace to repeat one of their famous comebacks on the visitors.

The rest of the match would wind down with several more attempts to keep the scoring going from both sides but it was not enough from either.

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Palace made their last change with Frazier Campbell coming on for McArthur while Philippe Coutinho made way for Divock Origi and then Saido Mane was replaced by Ragnar Klavan to try to prevent any last-minute of stoppage time aerial threat from the hosts.

It would end with the Reds holding onto their 2-4 lead and earning three points to send them level at the top of the Premier League with Arsenal and Manchester City on 23 points each.

Palace next face a trip to Burnley and Turf Moor while Liverpool host Watford at Anfield.

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