Liverpool produced a masterclass in finishing to win 7-0 at Crystal Palace and ensure they are number one at Christmas for the third year in a row in the Premier League.
With Mohamed Salah only on the bench at Selhurst Park, Takumi Minamino grasped his opportunity with a first league goal a year after he signed for the club before the old guard wrapped up the points in the capital.
Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino added further strikes in the first half, the latter after a slick counter-attack, before four more goals were forthcoming in clinical fashion after the break.
Firmino completed a brace after Jordan Henderson’s curler and Salah was able to net a double during a 33-minute cameo to send out a statement to the chasing pack.
Crystal Palace had plenty of openings early on, but were unable to take them or more points off a title challenger – having held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw last weekend – and on this evidence, it looks like the league championship will go to Merseyside for another season.
The Reds returned to the summit with a 2-1 win over Spurs on Wednesday but this the biggest statement result any side in the title race has delivered so far this season.
WATCH: Liverpool hit Palace for seven
💥 Takumi Minamino with his first goal in the Premier League!
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC)
👏 A great take, with Sadio Mane laying on the assist...
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😏 Water is wet. Sadio Mane scores against Crystal Palace.
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC)
🔥 The Senegalese forward has now netted 10 goals in 13 appearances against the Eagles.
👏 Clinical.
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🤦♂️ RoBeRtO FiRmInO sHoUlD nOt StArT aNyMoRe
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC)
🤷♂️ Also Roberto Firmino:
🏃♂️ Two starts this week
⚽️ Two goals
🔥 A blistering counter attack by Liverpool.
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🚀 When Jordan Henderson scores in the Premier League, they are usually quite good.
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Mo Salah.
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20 yards.
Top corner.
You love to see it.
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