Now that’s the Liverpool we know playing the football we love! Four-nil against Crystal Palace to send Hodgson back down the motorway scurrying.
Three more points, leaving Liverpool two from the title and just a game away potentially, should Manchester City fail to beat Chelsea on Thursday night.
Here’s your ratings from Liverpool 4-0 Crystal Palace.
Alexander-Arnold the standout defender
Alisson (6):Â Very difficult to give him much more given Palace didn’t have a touch in Liverpool’s box. Seriously, the only Premier League team not to have managed a touch in the opposing penalty area since Opta began collecting such statistics over a decade ago. Distribution was fine.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (8):Â “Trent, come outside!” scream the United fans again, not learning their lesson after the last time Aaron Wan-Bissaka managed to get an assist. Perfect free-kick, literally perfect. Couldn’t have stuck it into the top corner any sweeter.
Joe Gomez (7):Â Contained Jordan Ayew well and used the ball nicely, good to see him back in the starting 11 and looking as sharp as he was before football paused.
Virgil van Dijk (7):Â Unlucky not to score as he had a quick rebound swept away from the line and deserved a penalty from being tugged like a doll in the Palace box. Composed as always defensively.
Andrew Robertson (7):Â Difficult to give anyone lower than a 7 for such a dominant performance, really? Not to say that Robbo doesn’t deserve one, as he welcomed himself back into the team with an assured yet aggressive display at left-back, a constant thorn in Palace’s side.
Fabinho delivers a majestic performance
Fabinho (9):Â Dare I say he’s getting a little bit of a reputation for scoring bangers? Absolute belter of a goal, makes you wonder why he doesn’t shoot that little more often. Fantastic assist for Salah too, perfectly weighted over the top of the defence, reminiscent of his one for Mane against Manchester United last season at Anfield.
Jordan Henderson (7):Â A very solid hour from the skipper, some nice passes combined with a very unlucky attempt at goal that struck the post. So close to confirming he’ll be getting his hands on that Premier League trophy. Get the shuffle ready, Hendo!
Gini Wijnaldum (6):Â Hahaha, you thought I couldn’t give anyone a six. Gini obviously very good but how he hasn’t managed to get himself a goal I’ll never know, two sitters sent begging.
Majestic Mo starts Golden Boot chargeÂ
Mohamed Salah (9): Only two goals off top scorer, you say? Wouldn’t bet against him if I were you. Fantastic to have him back in the side, proving his worth with a cool finish from Fabinho’s ball over the top. I thought the finest part of Salah’s game was his assist for Mane, steadies himself perfectly to find his teammate with a perfect pass on his weak foot.
Roberto Firmino (7):Â Still no goals at Anfield but yeah, pretty good isn’t he?
Sadio Mané (8): An absolute menace to play against. Presses like a monster, so quick and able to go on either side. Lovely finish for his goals, similar to the one he scored to wrap up a home win against Palace last season.
Substitutes
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6): Nothing particularly amazing, performed his role well enough.
Neco Williams (7):Â Lovely little cameo! Confident on the ball, moved it forward well and got some decent shots off in stoppage time. One thing I’ve noticed about him this season is that he’s not afraid to shoot, which is normally a good sign.
Takumi Minamino (6):Â Looked bright, would like to see him get a few starts as the nine before the season is over.
Harvey Elliott (N/A):Â Another one I can’t wait to see more of before the end of the season. Full of confidence. His corners need some work.
Naby Keita (N/A):Â Naby laddddddd.
