Liverpool moved one step closer to a long-awaited title by beating Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday, leaving them in position to be crowned champions should Manchester City drop points at Chelsea on Thursday.
It was always going to be a challenge for Palace to take anything from Anfield, and that became even more difficult when Wilfried Zaha was forced off through injury in the 15th minute. Jurgen Klopp's side were not in a sympathetic mood, as they went ahead just eight minutes through a brilliant Trent Alexander-Arnold free kick. Further goals from Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Sadio Mane ensured that the Reds' evening was a comfortable one.
All eyes on Merseyside will now turn to West London ahead of the defending champions' trip to Stamford Bridge.
Positives
Liverpool looked so comfortable on the ball, allowing them to dictate the play. They were also able to dominate when called upon defensively. After a fairly tame display against Everton, Klopp's men offered a reminder of why they are the champions-elect.
- What did you miss? The latest from Europe's top leagues
- Soccer is back! Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
Negatives
It's picking nits in this section when Liverpool play as well as they did, but there were a couple of incidents in which players' concentration seemed to slip. There were also some pretty good chances to score that were missed, so they could have had even more goals to their name.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Klopp decided to play a full-strength side and that decision paid dividends, as his team cruised to victory. They were in complete control, so he didn't have to do too much once the action got going. Gave some of the youngsters minutes towards the end, which should benefit their development.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Alisson, 6 -- It's hard to give the Brazilian a higher score, as he wasn't really challenged all night.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 8 -- Showed his delightful technique to score Liverpool's opener with a free kick. He also put in some dangerous crosses and held his own defensively.
Editor's Picks
Liverpool beat Palace, one game from title
When can Liverpool win the Premier League?
'There's always a twist': What a first league title in 30 years would mean to Liverpool fans
2 Related
DF Joe Gomez, 8 -- He made one slip that could have led to danger, but was let off by Max Meyer. Aside from that, the England international was solid when called upon.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 8 -- The Netherlands international is so dominant at the heart of the Liverpool defence, and he was no different in this game. He also earned the free kick with which Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring.
DF Andrew Robertson, 8 -- He showed his usual endeavour. Ended up getting an assist, even if it was from a simple pass to Fabinho, rather than one of his trademark crosses.
MF Jordan Henderson, 7 -- Without fans in the stadium, the Liverpool captain can constantly be heard demanding more from his teammates, even when things are comfortable. A typically reliable showing.
MF Fabinho, 9 -- Played a brilliant ball through to assist Salah for Liverpool's second goal. The Brazilian then scored the third with an absolute rocket from long range. He rarely looked stretched and screened the defence well when needed.
Mohamed Salah scored one and assisted on another in another clinical performance in Liverpool's march toward the title. Getty
MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 6 -- Looked off the pace in the opening minutes and missed the target with two good chances. However, he did make a fairly good overall contribution to the comfortable win.
FW Mohamed Salah, 9 -- Scored Liverpool's second to take his tally to 15 goals in 15 Premier League home games this term, showing just how clinical the Egypt international is, he then played in a superb pass to assist Mane.
FW Roberto Firmino, 7 -- It's another home league game without a goal for him, but Firmino provided some classy touches and played an integral part in the fourth goal.
FW Sadio Mane, 9 -- Showed intent from the very beginning and was brilliant to watch. Took his deserved goal convincingly to make the score 4-0.
Substitutes STREAM ESPN FC TV ON ESPN+
Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and a host of other guests every day as football plots a path through the coronavirus crisis. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only).
MF Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 6 -- Replaced Henderson in the 64th minute and slotted in well, but didn't do anything particularly eye-catching.
DF Neco Williams, N/R -- Relieved Alexander-Arnold in the 74th minute and imposed himself on the game brilliantly. He nearly got himself a goal.
FW Takumi Minamino, N/R --Also came on in the 74th minute, for Firmino, and showed intelligence with some of his runs and passes.
DF Naby Keita, N/R --Didn't have much to do after replacing Robertson in the 84th minute.
FW Harvey Elliott, N/R -- Came on for Mane in the 84th minute and put in some good crosses.
Source: espn.co.uk