Liverpool stroll past bottom club Palace as Sage's crisis deepens

Crystal Palace slipped to the foot of the Premier League table after a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool, a fourth consecutive league loss that has left manager Pierre Sage in a precarious position, according to Sky Sports Football.

Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, used the victory at Selhurst Park to put behind them a difficult week that had brought a Premier League defeat to Arsenal at Anfield and a loss away to Fenerbahce in the Champions League, as reported by Guardian Football.

The visitors took the lead shortly before half-time when Alexis Mac Allister headed Liverpool in front, the goal coming after a swift buildup involving Dominik Szoboszlai, who was credited with the assist.

Palace's away end fell silent as Liverpool's supporters celebrated what the Guardian's David Hytner described as the moment the visitors sensed they would win the match.

The second goal arrived after the break when Liverpool broke down the right and Bradley Barcola's low pull-back found Florian Wirtz, who had timed his run perfectly and finished first time despite the pressure of the chance.

Alexander Isak added a third in the 89th minute as Palace pushed men forward in search of a way back into the contest, with Liverpool's counter-pressing exploiting the space the hosts left behind.

Eddie Nketiah converted a stoppage-time penalty to give Palace a consolation goal, but by then the outcome had long been settled.

Liverpool's control was built on a disciplined defensive structure, with Virgil van Dijk central to a backline that combined for 20 clearances and interceptions across the side, according to Yahoo Sports' player ratings of the match.

Ronald Araujo was booked in the 24th minute before being withdrawn late on for Joe Gomez, while Mac Allister picked up a yellow card in the 83rd minute having already provided the opening goal.

Szoboszlai was taken off in the 69th minute, with Liverpool managing his workload after his role in creating the first goal, while Alisson Becker made six saves and was only beaten by the late penalty he could do little to prevent.

Liverpool held 47 per cent of possession in what was described as a hostile atmosphere, with the visitors sending 23 crosses into the Palace box as they probed for openings throughout the contest.

For Palace, the result extends a troubling run that has pushed them to the bottom of the division, intensifying scrutiny on Sage after a fourth straight Premier League defeat.

Liverpool, by contrast, will take encouragement from a performance that answered questions raised by their recent losses to Arsenal and Fenerbahce, with the win restoring momentum heading into their next fixtures.