Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace: Sadio Mane pounces to give Jurgen Klopp's side first win of the new season
- Liverpool hosted Crystal Palace in their first home game of the 2017-18 season on Saturday
- The hosts created precious few scoring opportunities in a goalless first half at Anfield
- Christian Benteke came closest to breaking the deadlock against his old side but blazed over from six yards
- Sadio Mane opened the scoring as he pounced on a loose ball in the area to fire beyond Wayne Hennessey
While Jurgen Klopp is tired talking about Philippe Coutinho, he was only too happy to give praise to his young match-winning substitute valued at approximately £110million less than the Brazilian.
Dominic Solanke, 19, helped set up the decisive goal for Sadio Mane just two minutes after being introduced by Jurgen Klopp who needed some inspiration to break down a resolute Crystal Palace rearguard.
Solanke joined Liverpool from Chelsea in the summer for a fee that's likely to cost only £4million in compensation because he was out of contract.
Sadio Mane picks up a loose ball in the penalty area and pokes beyond Wayne Hennessey to give Liverpool the lead
The Senegalese races away as Anfield erupts following the vital breakthrough in the 73rd minute of the game
Captain Jordan Henderson pumps his fist as Mane makes a beeline for the Liverpool technical area in celebration
Defender Joe Gomez congratulates Mane after he fired home to give the Reds the advantage against Crystal Palace
Mane embraces Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after finally breaking the deadlock on Saturday afternoon
Klopp is engulfed by Liverpool players as they celebrate Mane's second half winner at Anfield
MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS AND MATCH ZONE
Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet 7; Gomez 6, Matip 6, Klavan 7, Robertson 7.5; Wijnaldum 6 (Solanke 71 7), Henderson 6.5, Milner 7; Mane 7, Sturridge 5.5 (Salah 61 7), Firmino 6.5 (Lovren 90)
Goalscorers: Mane 73
Booked: Henderson
Subs not used: Karius, Can, Origi, Flanagan
Crystal Palace (5-3-2): Hennessey 7; Ward 6, Fosu-Mensah 6, Dann 6, Tomkins 6.5, van Aanholt 6.5 (Schlupp 84); Milivojevic 5.5 (Kaikai 77 6), Loftus-Cheek 6.5, Puncheon 7 (McArthur 73 6); Benteke 5.5, Townsend 5.5
Subs not used: Speroni, Cabaye, Lokilo, Kelly
Booked: Puncheon, van Aanholt, Benteke
Referee: Kevin Friend 6.5
Sadio Mane pokes home from close range to give Liverpool more. CLICK HERE for more from MATCH ZONE.
That's loose change in a transfer window that has gone haywire but Solanke will surely go on to big things if he retains the hunger and passion that saw him force a mistake from Palace's Luka Milivojevic and get a vital touch into Mane's path to finish.
'We had good moments before then but no one was in the box because Daniel (Sturridge), Sadio and Roberto (Firmino) were involved in the build-up,' said Klopp.
'When Dom came on, he stood awake and put the foot in. It was great counter-pressing and Sadio was alone and he could score,' said Klopp.
'Our football could have been better in the first half, 100 percent. But one pass and one goal, and the world is much nicer.'
It's been a strange start to the season for Liverpool. Four points out of six represents a respectable return from the opening two Premier League games and they should complete passage into the Champions League group stages on Wednesday night having won their play-off first leg 2-1 away to Hoffenheim.
And yet there has been criticism of the defence after conceding three goals at Watford, Daniel Sturridge still hasn't scored at Anfield in 2017 after a flat return from injury yesterday, and the Coutinho saga is sapping energy from everyone.
One senses Klopp isn't the type of manager who wants to work with unhappy players but it's the owners decision whether to sell Coutinho to Barcelona and they have resisted three offers already as a matter of pride.
'It's not an easy situation for anyone,' said Klopp, whose standard response about Coutinho is 'nothing has changed'. He hasn't played yet this season because of an apparent back injury.
Without him, Liverpool were just about worthy winners against a Palace team who defended far more stoutly than they'd done last weekend when embarrassed 3-0 at home to Huddersfield.
Andros Townsend goes to ground under the challenge of Liverpool midfielder James Milner
Reds striker Roberto Firmino challenges Crystal Palace midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek for the ball in the first half
Crystal Palace left back Patrick Van Aanholt attempts to escape the lunging tackle from Liverpool youngster Joe Gomez
Palace's Wayne Hennessey was by far the busiest goalkeeper, making fine saves from James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, Mane and debutant left back Andy Robertson, but was only beaten once in the 73rd minute.
Having said all that, Palace had two outstanding chances to take the lead themselves, first when Simon Mignolet saved from Jason Puncheon on the break, and particularly when former Reds striker Christian Benteke blazed over from close range after being set up by Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Sturridge, whose career has been blighted by injuries, was hooked after an hour in front of England manager Gareth Southgate as Liverpool sought a breakthrough. His replacement, club record signing Mo Salah, was then joined by Solanke whose willingness to get into the penalty area and put Palace under pressure made the difference.
'The chances we got, we had to punish them,' said de Boer sadly. 'At the moment we have empty hands (no points) but I told the players afterwards if we play with that intensity, results will come.'
The amount of stick Liverpool receive when they concede, it was no surprise Klopp was quick to highlight his side's clean sheet even if Palace never threw too many bodies forward.
'I thought our defending was outstandingly good today,' said the Liverpool manager.
'Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip did really well and the protection was really good. Against Watford we were too deep, too early.'
He also described the winner as 'a wonderful goal'.
Daniel Sturridge gets the ball on the byline and looks to take it past Crystal Palace centre-back James Tomkins
Liverpool left back Andy Robertson was making his first since sealing an £8million switch from Hull in the summer
Mane and Robertson started the move down the left before the Senegal forward dashed into the box to capitalise on Solanke's groundwork.
Just as pleasing was the workrate throughout of Firmino, given a big ovation by the Kop when he was replaced in the final minute. At least on Brazilian breaking sweat for the club.
Klopp seemed understandably weary being asked about the future of his star asset once again. 'There is nothing new from the injury side and I am informed about everything in the club and nothing has changed (regarding Liverpool's reluctance to sell),' he repeated.
For once, he may not mind too much if Sturridge is picked by Southgate on Thursday for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.
'Why shouldn't he be available?' said the Liverpool manager. 'If Gareth wants to pick him, he can. Daniel had an outstanding pre-season He needs each game he can get.'
That may be unlikely however and the sight of the striker trying to get up to speed – one free-kick hit the wall so that when Liverpool were awarded the next one, Milner took it – could be a lesson for John W Henry about cashing in on Coutinho.
A year ago, Sturridge was in the £50million bracket. But hip problems last season and a thigh strain at the beginning of this have probably halved his value. Even if they keep Coutinho, will he play like a £114million star that Barcelona think he is.
Reds captain Jordan Henderson attempts to poke the ball out of the way of opposite number Luka Milivojevic
Roberto Firmino controls the ball while Ruben Loftus-Cheek checks his run forward in the first half at Anfield
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane gets to the byline and looks to cross the ball into the box from the left hand side
Wayne Hennessey watches a header glance past his far post during a first half of few scoring opportunities at Anfield
Georginio Wijnaldum is crowded out by Jason Puncheon and Patrick van Aanholt during the opening stages of the second half
Christian Benteke comes closest to breaking the deadlock but he blazes over the cross bar from six yards out
Liverpool No 9 Roberto Firmino shoots from distance but sees his effort blocked by Palace's Luka Milivojevic
Liverpool's summer signing Mohamed Salah made his Anfield bow after replacing Daniel Sturridge on the hour mark
Liverpool centre back Joel Matip attempts to dispossess Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend in the second half
Egyptian winger Mo Salah gets into the thick of the action early after replacing Sturridge in the second period
Roberto Firmino sees his flying effort drift past the far post as he tries to break the deadlock against Crystal Palace
James Milner watches on as his free kick beats the opposition wall but it floats over the crossbar
Liverpool's unused players on Saturday are suited and booted as they watch the action unfold at Anfield
Jurgen Klopp watches on as his side were left frustrated by the Eagles in a tight first half on Saturday afternoon
Frank de Boer was looking for a response from his Crystal Palace after an opening day home defeat by Huddersfield
Both sets of players held a minute's silence ahead of kick-off at Anfield in memory of the victims of the Barcelona terror attack
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