CRYSTAL PALACE 1-3 LIVERPOOL: Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak send the Reds into the international break happy and cast further doubt over Pierre Sage's job

This season will probably be more about securing Champions League football rather than a full-on title race.

But after results like this, you can see why Liverpool fans have bought into Andoni Iraola’s exciting vision because they were ruthless, clinical and determined as they climbed up into the top four.

Their patience with Alexander Isak has reaped rewards because the Liverpool striker now looks unstoppable after his eighth goal in all competitions sealed the win.

The Liverpool faithful are also still enthusiastically singing Bradley Barcola’s name even though the £123million signing has yet to score in the Premier League since his summer arrival. And, frankly, under-pressure Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage had better hope he gets as much understanding and sees out the forthcoming international break (also known as the sacking window).

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This was so much better from Palace and, if it had not been for Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker’s heroics, then the score line could have been very different. Instead, Palace have sunk to the bottom of the Premier League table, have the worst defensive record in the division - they have conceded 24 goals - and you suspect Sage will be waiting by the phone in the next fortnight.

It will be a tough decision for Palace chairman Steve Parish because he rarely gets it wrong and he will have seen from the directors’ box the score line was harsh on his team. Yes, there were familiar mistakes and hard luck stories but Palace showed real heart this time and they deserved more than just substitute Eddie Nketiah’s injury-time consolation from the penalty spot.

But the question now for Parish is whether an improved performance is enough or if they should press the panic button and get on the phone to Sean Dyche in the next fortnight. It will probably be the latter.

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Palace do not have Liverpool’s resources but even big-money talent like Barcola, Isak and Florian Wirtz take time to settle. It was far from a flowing Liverpool performance, but they got the job done.

It seems bizarre to make the keeper from the winning side the best player on the pitch but they would have lost without Alisson. The Brazil keeper still probably does not get the credit he deserves.

Liverpool’s goal lived a charmed life early on as Yeremy Pino crashed a shot against the bar with one of those efforts where the commentator says he “almost hit it too well.” What on earth does that mean?

Jorgen Strand Larsen had the ball in the Liverpool net but was very clearly offside. Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada’s powerful volley forced another brilliant save from the Liverpool keeper who also denied Adam Wharton.

At the other end, Liverpool had plenty of possession but their finishing was wayward as Barcola skied over with a volley which cleared the stand and the crossbar.

But finally, Liverpool got their breakthrough after a moment of controversy. Referee Tony Harrington gave a free kick when it looked as if Cody Gakpo had just run into Jefferson Lerma. It looked so harsh.

Dominik Szoboszlai whipped in a near post free kick and there was Alexis Mac Allister to glance home past Palace keeper Dean Henderson. Unsurprisingly, the Palace fans vented their anger at the officials. Parish had his head in his hands in the directors’ box.

The trouble is, once Liverpool got themselves in front, there was only ever going to be one outcome. And maybe that is the most damning thing for Sage. Liverpool’s second came nine minutes after the restart.

Barcola’s low cross evaded the Palace defence and Florian Wirtz swept home from inside the box. Wirtz then set up Isak to score in the 89th minute.

There was still time for Palace to get a consolation. Milos Kerkez jumped into Dario Osorio and it was a clear penalty which Nketiah converted. You fear it may not be enough to save Sage.