Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 4-2

Liverpool moved level on points with Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the tabel of the English Premier League (EPL) football tournament with a 4-2 win over Crystal Palace at the Selhurst Park here.

Liverpool on Saturday led twice early on in south London through goals from German Emre Can and Croatian Dejan Lovren, but both were cancelled out by headed equalisers from Scotman James McArthur.

However, Cameroonian Joel Matip grabbed the crucial third for Jürgen Klopp-coached side just before half-time and Brazilian Roberto Firmino put the result beyond doubt with a deft finish in the second period.

Liverpool started sharply in the capital, dominating the early possession and heaping pressure on the Palace rearguard from the off.

And their early control was rewarded with just 16 minutes played when they opened the scoring. Can poked in Alberto Moreno's cross on 16 minutes to put Liverpool ahead, but two minutes later, Dejan Lovren's poor clearance allowed McArthur to head Palace level.

Lovren atoned for his error three minutes later by heading in Philippe Coutinho's corner but was outjumped by McArthur, who headed Palace level again on 33 minutes.

An unmarked Joel Matip made it 3-2 for Liverpool just before the break, from another Coutinho corner.

Christian Benteke had three chances for another equaliser after the break but was denied each time by Loris Karius.

Roberto Firmino made the match safe on 71 minutes when he dinked Jordan Henderson's through-ball over Palace goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

The defeat sent Palace down to the 12th place.

--IANS

pur/vt