THE story of Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Crystal Palace on an evening full of twists and turns at Selhurst Park.

Before the game: The focus prior to kick-off was on the absence of James Milner due to illness, the subsequent inclusion of Alberto Moreno and the decision to play Emre Can ahead of Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield.

16 mins: And both decisions paid dividends just after the first quarter of an hour. Moreno and Philippe Coutinho combined to play in the German international, who poked home with the help of a Scott Dann deflection.

18 mins: It took just two minutes for the home side to get back into the game. Joel Matip nodded down for Dejan Lovren who sliced his clearance back towards his own goal and James McArthur capitalised to beat Loris Karius.

22 mins: But it didn’t take long for the Croat to atone for his error. He rose to meet Coutinho’s corner and headed the ball through the legs of Palace ‘keeper Steve Mandanda.

33 mins: The same unlikely source for Palace, from the most predictable of defensive errors from Liverpool. Moreno stood off Wilfried Zaha, allowing him to swing it into the box, and McArthur beat Lovren to meet the cross and equalise. An unbelievable first half-hour, or so.

44 mins: A game full of mad twists took yet another mad twist. Another goal conceded from a set-piece for Liverpool. Coutinho once again with the corner, from the left side this time, and Matip rose to power home a bullet header. His first goal for the Reds and an important one just before half-time.

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Half-time: Liverpool went in on top at the break, though there was still some damage to assess for manager Jürgen Klopp. Two goals gifted to the home side despite his side displaying some of their best attacking football in the opening 45.

71 mins: After some periods of offensive pressure from Palace, Liverpool managed to secure their two-goal cushion in typically eye-catching fashion. Jordan Henderson split the opposition defence with a sublime through ball and Roberto Firmino dinked it over Mandanda.

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Full-time: A mad game but hard to not be happy with most of what we saw there. We were at our magnificent best with some of the attacking play but typically left a lot to be desired down the other end of the field. People will try and pick holes but it’s another big test overcome by Klopp’s side.

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