Liverpool moved a step closer to the Premier League title with a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Trent Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring in Wednesday’s behind closed doors affair at Anfield with a curling 25-yard free kick past Wayne Hennessey.
Shortly before half time the Reds doubled their advantage with Mohamed Salah latching onto an exquisite pass from Fabinho to execute a simple finish.
The Brazilian scored in his own right after the interval with a thunderous 30-yard drive as Jurgen Klopp’s side moved to within two points of the title.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, Salah teed up Sadio Mane with a reverse pass that allowed his attacking cohort to round off the win.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
One hand firmly on the title
A previously foregone conclusion is set to become reality for Liverpool.
Over 30 years of hurt will finally be ended in emphatic fashion with a Premier League title that could be clinched within a matter of hours rather than days.
If Manchester City fail to win against Chelsea on Thursday evening, the long-awaited coronation of Jurgen Klopp’s side will finally cemented.
Should that happen, the Reds will have done so by producing their most comprehensive league outing since the Boxing Day win over Leicester City.
Klopp’s strongest line-up for a first time since the coronavirus break returned finely attuned to completely dominate Crystal Palace throughout the game.
This was a truly title-winning display in all but name.
Reds are literally untouchable
No team has been able to lay a glove on Liverpool in their march to the title and the statistics against Roy Hodgson’s side resoundingly backed it up.
Klopp’s players broke through the 100-goal barrier as well as recording consecutive clean sheets as they put the Eagles firmly to the sword.
More than that, though, the host showed just how untouchable they are.
Anfield witnessed the first time that a top flight team has failed to have a single touch in their opponents’ penalty area since records began in 2008/09.
It may not rank alongside a completely unbeaten season but Liverpool’s place in the history books will be no less impressive with achievements such as this.
Fabinho is back to his best
Individual plaudits are hardly in short supply for Liverpool’s all-star cast.
Jordan Henderson is likely to be crowned the league’s Player of the Year while Trent Alexander-Arnold appears a safe bet for the Young Player accolade.
In comparison, the exploits of Fabinho may go somewhat unnoticed yet the midfield enforcer showed just why he remains among the best in his position.
An uncompromising showing in the middle of the park was married with an impressive assist for Mohamed Salah to double the lead against Palace.
Better still, though, was his 30-yard piledriver. Anfield was a lot more vocal when he last pulled off the feat against Manchester City seven months ago.,
Yet there is no question that the famous old stadium witnessed a return to form from the Brazil international with his all-encompassing offering.
Three remains the magic number
What a difference three days makes.
At Goodison Park last weekend, Liverpool’s front three appeared languid and incapable of forcing openings against a defensively stubborn Everton team.
A different opponent but the same mindset threatened to provide a repeat display with one notable exception: Klopp was able to recall Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian’s influence on his attacking peers became glaringly obvious across Stanley Park. Takumi Minanimo, put simply, is a pale imitation.
When Salah is in the fold, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane flourish; never was that more evident than when he teed up the latter for Liverpool’s fourth.
If Klopp is intent on finishing this season with a bang, the trio remain key.