Wirtz leads Liverpool past Crystal Palace as hosts fall to bottom

Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3-1 on Sunday to recover from successive defeats in domestic and European competition, while Palace finished the match at the bottom of the Premier League. According to the Guardian's match report, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak scored for the visitors before substitute Eddie Nketiah converted a late penalty for the hosts.

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The result followed Liverpool's league defeat by Arsenal at Anfield and a Champions League loss at Fenerbahce in midweek. For Palace, it was a fourth consecutive league defeat. Nketiah's consolation was their first goal across that sequence, arriving after Liverpool had already established a three-goal advantage. Palace manager Pierre Sage nevertheless expressed confidence after the game that he would remain in charge beyond the international break.

Palace created several opportunities before half-time. Yeremy Pino struck the crossbar in the 18th minute after receiving a low delivery from Tyrick Mitchell, while Jorgen Strand Larsen had a goal disallowed for offside. Alisson also saved from Daichi Kamada and later kept out Adam Wharton, whose stretching attempt came from another Pino delivery. At the other end, Wharton made an important challenge to deny Isak during a Liverpool counterattack.

Liverpool took the lead towards the end of the first half when Mac Allister headed in Dominik Szoboszlai's free-kick. The midfielder had earlier headed wide from another Szoboszlai set piece. Palace supporters disputed the foul awarded against Jefferson Lerma on Cody Gakpo, but the resulting delivery left Mac Allister able to direct his header without an effective challenge.

Wirtz doubled the advantage in the 54th minute, meeting Bradley Barcola's low pullback with a first-time finish. Palace offered little in response after that goal, although Pino forced another save from Alisson following a quick break. Isak was subsequently stopped by Dean Henderson in a one-on-one opportunity before scoring Liverpool's third in the 89th minute, finishing after a touch from Wirtz.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said afterwards that the victory was needed and emphasised the importance of scoring first and controlling the second half. Sage, meanwhile, pointed to Palace's lack of efficiency and discussed making adjustments in the winter transfer window. His side's next matches after the international break are away to Coventry and at home to Hull.