Liverpool went top of the Premier League table thanks to late goals from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott that enabled them to come from behind to earn a 2-1 win at 10-man Crystal Palace.

It was the fifth time the Reds had come from behind to win this season, extending their unbeaten record against Palace to 13 Premier League games.

How the match unfolded

Jurgen Klopp made five changes to his starting XI, the most he’s made this season, with Alisson back after recovering from injury. Roy Hodgson brought in Will Hughes for Michael Olise and Nathaniel Clyne for the injured Tyrick Mitchell.

The first half was a cagey affair. Liverpool struggled to break down a resolute Palace team, whose 53 passes completed was their joint-lowest such total for an opening half in 20 years.

The only shot on target came from Palace in the 27th minute. Jordan Ayew drove down the right and whipped in a cross that found Jefferson Lerma at the back post, but the midfielder’s shot was brilliantly saved by Alisson before the ball hit the post and was cleared. 

Two minutes later, Palace were awarded a penalty after Wataru Endo was robbed of the ball and Virgil van Dijk brought down Odsonne Edouard who was through on goal. But the spot-kick was overturned after a VAR review found that Hughes had fouled Endo in the build-up.

At half-time both managers made changes as Liverpool replaced Endo with Joe Gomez and Palace replaced Edouard with Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Mateta got straight into the action, winning a penalty after being fouled by Jarell Quansah, who was making only his second start. The decision to award the spot-kick came from a VAR review one minute 45 seconds after the foul. The French forward stepped up and sent Alisson the wrong way to give Palace the lead on 57 minutes.

In the 74th minute Ayew was sent off for a second yellow after fouling Elliott on the counter-attack.

Liverpool equalised 98 seconds later. Cody Gakpo’s cross led to a scramble in the box and the ball fell kindly to Salah, who scored with a deflected shot. It was his 200th goal in a Liverpool shirt and his 150th in the Premier League, entering him into the top 10 goalscorers list, alongside Michael Owen.

Ten seconds into 10 minutes of added time Elliott gave the Reds the lead, Salah laid off the ball to the substitute who drove forward and released a powerful shot beating substitute ’keeper Remi Matthews.

Palace applied some late pressure but were unable to stop Liverpool claiming a total of 18 points from losing positions, sending them top with 37 points. Palace remain 14th on 16 points. 

Crystal Palace report | Liverpool report

Match officials

Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Harry Lennard, Nick Hopton. Fourth official: Tom Bramall. VAR: John Brooks. Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn.