Florian Wirtz scores first Premier League goal as Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3-1

Palace start well, but Mac Allister puts Liverpool ahead

Crystal Palace were the better side for much of the first half at Selhurst Park, and they went close several times. A Yeremy Pino effort struck the crossbar, a Jorgen Strand Larsen goal was chalked off for offside, and Alisson had to make several saves. Liverpool had chances of their own, including a Bradley Barcola effort fired over the bar from close range. The breakthrough came in the 40th minute, when Alexis Mac Allister headed Liverpool in front from a set piece. The Irish Examiner said the way Palace conceded, after a promising spell, would have frustrated manager Pierre Sage most.

Wirtz and Isak add to the lead

Liverpool doubled their advantage early in the second half. Barcola dropped deep, linked with Ronald Araujo, and then fed a low cross to Florian Wirtz, who finished. The goal was Wirtz's first Premier League goal of the season, and his first since he scored against the same opponents in April, according to the Irish Examiner. Barcola recorded his second Premier League assist of the season, according to The New York Times. Alexander Isak made it 3-0 in the 89th minute, smashing home from a Wirtz touch, and the goal prompted thousands of Palace supporters to head for the exits. Isak now has seven league goals and is second in the race for the golden boot, The Independent reported.

Eddie Nketiah scored a stoppage-time penalty for Palace, who had been without a goal during their recent run of four league defeats. The Guardian noted that the consolation was their first goal of that mini-run, but it did little to change the outcome.

Pressure on Sage and the Palace squad

Palace are bottom of the Premier League after 10 games, with two wins, and have scored nine league goals, the second-fewest in the division, according to The Independent. Pierre Sage is under growing pressure, although The Guardian reported no appetite among supporters for his dismissal and no boos for the players at full time. The Guardian linked the club's problems more to the recruitment department and described the absence of Ismaila Sarr through injury as a hammer blow. The Independent noted that no Premier League head coach has lost his job this season, and that chairman Steve Parish has a record of giving managers time.

Liverpool's position and the player ratings

Liverpool ended a difficult week that began with a Premier League defeat to Arsenal last Sunday and a Champions League defeat at Fenerbahce in midweek, having won their opening three Champions League matches. The win halted a two-game losing run and moved them back into the top four, nine points behind leaders Arsenal, according to The Independent. The New York Times said Liverpool's attack did not fully click, but Wirtz and Barcola could build on the afternoon. The BBC rated Alisson 9 for his series of saves and Yeremy Pino 7, describing Pino as unlucky not to score.