Liverpool ensured they remained top of the Premier League table heading into the October international break with a win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
A well worked goal from Diogo Jota inside the opening ten minutes earned the Reds the all-important three points at Selhurst Park in the lunchtime kick-off. Despite some late pressure from the hosts and goalkeeper Alisson suffering an injury scare, the afternoon proved to be a rather comfortable one for Liverpool despite the narrow margin of victory.
Here’s the Reds’ best and worst players in the win, according to 90min’s player ratings.
Much of Liverpool’s early season success in the Premier League has been thanks to their imperious defensive record.
And that defensive record is largely down to the utter brilliance of Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds captain was at his best once again this weekend, pocketing Eddie Nketiah with relative ease – winning six duels – and also providing some quality on the ball, completing 92% of his attempted passes.
He’s too good.
After a surprisingly barren spell, Diogo Jota has re-found his best form in recent weeks.
Recalled to the starting XI in place of Darwin Nunez, the Portugal international made it four goal contributions in his last three starts with his clever finish inside ten minutes at Selhurst Park. He caused the Palace defence constant problems thereafter with his clever movement in and around the penalty area.
Jota has earned his place in the team ahead of Nunez, even if he missed one gilt-edged opportunity to make it 2-0, and ultimately proved to be Liverpool’s match-winner on the day.
Look, we’re not saying Curtis Jones necessarily had a ‘bad’ game by any stretch. He definitely didn’t.
He’s our ‘worst player’ of the game purely because he was the quietest of the Reds’ midfielders on the day. He still completed 46 of his 47 passes, created two chances, made four recoveries and won six duels, which isn’t to be sniffed at.
