Matip gives Liverpool lead in five-goal first half (Video)

James McArthur headed Crystal Palace level before Joel Matip countered to put Liverpool ahead again in a frenetic and goal-laden first half in London.

James McArthur showed his aerial prowess by beating a flat-footed Dejan Lovren to briefly put Crystal Palace back on level terms. Lovren has endured an extreme contrast in emotions during the first half as he has scored one and been culpable for two at the other end. Jurgen Klopp must be pulling his hair out on the sidelines after watching his center-back’s first half display.

Joel Matip then scored his first Liverpool goal in the 44th minute off of yet another corner. Palace’s marking has been woeful in the first half from set plays and Liverpool have punished their defensive frailties. Alan Pardew’s teams are usually extremely good from set pieces, so these first half defensive lapses will infuriate him.

Four of the five first half goals have come from headers in a quite remarkable first half in London.

Liverpool need to win to keep pace with Manchester City and Arsenal, both of whom won their earlier matches in comprehensively. Palace have two wins in their last five and have lost two on the bounce. Palace and Liverpool have only two clean sheets between them, a stat,watching these two combatants bleed goals, that may continue for some time.

Most people know about the Reds’ prolific attack. Liverpool can score at will, with Coutinho, Mane and Milner all tied atop of the team’s goal-scoring leaderboard with four goals.

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Liverpool have lost three of their last four encounters against Palace. The good news for Liverpool supporters is that win came in the last game, in March 2016.

Will both teams be able to sure up their leaky defenses in the second half or does this frantic match have more goals in it?