Crystal Palace
Wayne Hennessey – 6
Made a decent save at the end of the first half to deny Mane an equaliser for Liverpool but the Palace goalkeeper was helpless for the visitors’ two second half goals.
Aaron Wan Bissaka – 5
The young right-back was given the difficult job of breaking up the flow down Liverpool’s left side and he struggled – both of Liverpool’s goals came from the left as Milner and Robertson were given too much room.
Martin Kelly – 6
Was part of a fairly organised and sturdy Palace defence, he contained Liverpool’s frontline quite well for the most part but couldn’t hold on for a valuable point.
Mamadou Sakho – 5
Alongside another former Liverpool defender, he certainly showed a lot of effort; however, it was clear in terms of quality as to why he now finds himself at Palace.
Patrick van Aanholt – 5
Fired one ferocious free-kick that stung the palms of Karius but asides from that it was a case of helping the cause and tucking in to aid his centre-backs.
Yohan Cabaye – 7
There is no doubting his quality but questions do surround his consistency – his stunning through ball to Zaha created the first real opportunity of the game.
Luka Milivojevic – 7
Palace’s captain scored his seventh penalty of the season – the most in the Premier League – to put his side ahead somewhat against the run of play, he was the host’s best midfielder all game providing some great touches and through balls.
James McArthur – 6
Brought down Mane on the edge of the penalty area, there was contact but referee Swarbrick deemed it an act of simulation on Mane’s part and showed a yellow card, otherwise McArthur worked hard but produced little of note.
Andros Townsend – 5
Involved in Palace’s best attack of the second half but passed to Benteke at the vital moment when going it alone might have been the better option – he showed his pace throughout but his decision-making was questionable at times.
Wilfried Zaha – 6
Palace’s most dangerous attacking player in the first half kept Alexander-Arnold on his toes – his influence waned a little in the second half but his influence was renewed when Loftus-Cheek was brought on as the pair struck up a fine relationship.
Chistian Beneteke – 4
Spurned two gilt-edged chances on the hour mark to restore Palace’s lead but the difference on the day was Liverpool had a player who could finish whilst Palace had a striker who couldn’t.
Liverpool
Loris Karius – 6
Conceded the penalty with a clumsy mistake but otherwise he was near perfect – there were few attempts at target for him to deal with but he comfortably prevented Palace from scoring a second.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6
Struggled to contain Zaha in the first half but improved as the match went on and produced a couple of testing deliveries.
Joel Matip – 6
A solid showing but was not as composed, or as leading, as Van Dijk – it will be interesting to see who Klopp chooses to partner Van Dijk on Wednesday when Liverpool host Manchester City.
Virgil Van Dijk – 7
Had a great chance to score a header from a corner in the first half but his goal-bound effort was blocked my teammate Mane, in defence he was solid albeit not hugely tested by Benteke and co.
Andrew Robertson – 7
As ever, he was a menace down the left and linked up well with Milner – he provided the assist for Liverpool’s winner with a measured cross along the floor for Salah.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 5
As is the case with Wijnaldum, his performances are always understated even if they are great or bad, on this occasion is wasn’t a great showing from the Dutchman – he was substituted just after the hour mark.
Jordan Henderson – 6
Kept things ticking over in midfield without producing any stand-out moments – with Can missing through injury there was more emphasis on Liverpool’s captain providing the through balls from the centre of midfield.
James Milner – 7
It was a very good showing from Milner – he provided the assist for Liverpool’s equaliser as his driven low cross was turned home by Mane just after the break.
Mohamed Salah – 7
Scored his 37th goal of the season and, despite it being one of his most low-key and subdued performances of the season, he came away as the match winner.
Roberto Firmino – 6
His performance summed up Liverpool’s sloppiness and untidiness in and around the final third – he had a couple of shots from distance but otherwise it was a quiet, and at times a frustrating, afternoon.
Sadio Mane – 7
Probably one of Mane’s best performances this season – he showed fight, creativity and also got a goal – however, he was fortunate not to be sent off before being substituted; he was harshly yellow-carded for simulation but should have received another for deliberate hand-ball.
