Liverpool are not yet firing on all cylinders, but victories such as Sunday's at Crystal Palace hold immense value. The Reds weathered testing moments with ruthless efficiency: first breaking the deadlock through an Alexis Mac Allister header, doubling their lead via a clinical counter-attack finished by Florian Wirtz, adding a third through Alexander Isak, and relying on three vital saves from Alisson Becker to anchor the display.

In two flashes of inspiration expected of European heavyweights, Andoni Iraola's side seized three points that had hung in the balance at 0-0 and 0-1. Palace had pushed hard for an equaliser until Araujo triggered a lethal breakaway, freeing Barcola to tee up the decisive second.

On paper, this appeared merely a routine win against the division's bottom club, who hold just seven points from 30. Yet Palace looked far from basement dwellers for much of the afternoon, rattling the crossbar through Yeremy Pino and seeing a goal chalked off by mere millimetres.

Liverpool suffered during spells and leaned heavily on the sharp reflexes of Alisson Becker, who pulled off a stunning stop to deny Kamada at the far post. Almost immediately, that intervention paved the way for Mac Allister's breakthrough. A set-piece masterclass from the Reds unlocked the contest: Szoboszlai whipped a pinpoint delivery right into the path of the Argentine, whose header sparked a lead that had looked improbable until then.

The 41st-minute strike supplied Liverpool with an essential lift while dealing another tough blow to Palace. The hosts had perhaps deserved to lead, but instead went into the break behind. They emerged for the second half with equal intent, threatening an equaliser to the visible concern of Andoni Iraola on the touchline.

Suddenly, Araujo sparked a rapid counter, releasing Barcola down the left flank before the Frenchman squared for Florian Wirtz to tap home. That textbook move killed off Palace's momentum. Isak then added gloss to the scoreline by making it 3-0 in the 90th minute. Liverpool continue their upward trajectory in fourth, now just three points behind third-placed Manchester City, though still nine adrift of leaders Arsenal. A late consolation penalty from Nketiah rounded off the 3-1 scoreline.