Christian Benteke came back to haunt Liverpool by inspiring Crystal Palace to victory.

Philippe Coutinho had handed the Reds an early lead with a curling free kick midway through the first half before the Belgian pulled the visitors level.

Returning to Anfield for the first time since sealing his £30 million exit, Benteke pounced just before half time to covert Yohan Cabaye’s cross at the far post.

Worse was yet to come for Jurgen Klopp’s side as Benteke was on hand to punish the hosts when he headed home unmarked with just over 15 minutes remaining.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Anfield is tired of Groundhog Day

 

If Jurgen Klopp felt ‘pretty alone’ the last time Palace emerged victorious from Anfield, their most recent triumph will have him feeling further isolated.

Fans streamed for the exits once again as it became evident that his side were not going to take anything from this game even with six minutes of time added.

Those that elected to stay also reflected that despondency as the final whistle generated indifference where it had once commanded a chorus of boos.

Liverpool’s innate sense of capitulation continues to resurface at opportune moments of the season, with Groundhog Day now a regular theme at Anfield.

The shrugs and groans which soundtracked Andre Marriner calling time on proceedings said it all. Even they have become as sick and tired of the pattern.

Was Klopp too hasty on Benteke?

 

The script was always written for Christian Benteke to leave his mark at Anfield.

He had returned with a point to prove to his former manager, and did so emphatically with a brace that should have forced Klopp into a seller’s remorse.

The Belgium international’s goals not only extended the Eagles’ hoodoo over Merseyside for a third straight season but also surpassed a personal best.

Scoring more times as an opposing player than he ever did for Liverpool, Benteke’s latest outing on his stomping ground provided food for thought.

Incompatibility with Klopp’s tactical approach drove his £30 million departure but perhaps he was too hasty in casting aside a player of the striker’s influence.

His side could have done with that plan B instead of chasing the game in futility.

Reds ‘weakness’ is an epidemic

 

Sam Allardyce had every right to be bullish in the wake of his first Premier League victory at Anfield but with it, a pertinent point was also raised.

Palace, he claimed, had ‘exposed Liverpool’s weaknesses time and again’ as they tasted victory for a third successive season. He wasn’t wrong, either.

Marauding full-backs may have been a hallmark of Anfield’s iconic title winning sides but their latest incumbents’ tactical naivety is bordering on hazardous.

Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner regularly exposed Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip, and in turn placed themselves under siege whenever Palace staged counter attacks.

It will take more than recruiting a couple of centre-backs this summer to remedy long-standing problems which predate Klopp’s appointment.

Sakho’s sideshow seals his Anfield exit

 

There should no longer be any debate surrounding Mamadou Sakho’s future.

He is no more a Liverpool player than he was ever a competent defender.

Cheerleading on the visitors’ bench for a game he was ineligible to feature in was bizarre to say the least but even more so his celebration with Benteke.

Irrespective of his ill feeling towards Klopp, the supporters that chanted his name ritually deserved far better from the self-proclaimed ‘Scouse soldier’.

Had Sakho planned to seek redemption for his Anfield career this summer, he has well and truly destroyed those hopes with that pre-rehearsed gimmick.