Liverpool 1-0 C Palace (Oct 5, 2024) Match analysis

Diogo Jota's early goal was enough to give Liverpool a narrow 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday and ensure they go into the international break at the top of the Premier League, despite goalkeeper Alisson being forced out late with an injury.

Palace had the ball in the net within 30 seconds after Ismaïla Sarr got past Kostas Tsimikas and centered it to Eddie Nketiah, who finished cleverly but was ruled offside.

The hosts started the game sharply, but Liverpool took the lead with their first real attack in the ninth minute when Cody Gakpo met Tsimikas's through ball down the left.

He brought Jota into the center who flew past Palace debutant Trevoh Chalobah, fired home from close range and scored his fourth goal of the season in all competitions.

Jota should have doubled his tally in the 34th minute after good work from Mohamed Salah and the impressive Ryan Gravenberch, whose ball from the right hit Jota unchallenged, but his shot went wide of the goal.

Liverpool had almost 75% possession in the first half but didn't create many clear-cut chances and Palace almost rewarded them just before half-time.

Maxence Lacroix's quick pass put Sarr behind, but his low shot was well parried by Alisson.

The second half started quietly before the visitors got going, Salah fending off a clever block from Palace keeper Dean Henderson after cushioning a wonderful pass from Virgil van Dijk.

Just after the hour mark, Jota wasted another good chance when Trent Alexander-Arnold found him in space from a free-kick, but the Portuguese striker missed his header.

Liverpool's failure to close out the game almost cost them as Nketiah and Eberechi Eze made good saves from Alisson, who went off injured after being forced into a hasty throw.

That gave Vitezslav Jaros his Liverpool debut, with the Palace fans sensing a change in momentum, but Eze shot straight at Jaros, who also stopped substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta in stoppage time.

Liverpool remain at the top with 18 points from seven games and extend a four-point lead over Manchester City and Arsenal, who play later on Saturday.

“I think it's always hard to come here. The results over the years have all been very close and close,” said man of the match Van Dijk. “We could have played a little better in the second half. Overall, three points are good for us and we are going into the international break on a high.”

Palace remain winless with three points from seven league games.