Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah sent Liverpool top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace as they stole a march on Manchester City. 

A shaky start eventually gave way to the anticipated Liverpool control, which did not yield a goal until Mane's close-range strike shortly before half-time, his 100th goal for the club in all competitions.

The Reds had to see out some dangerous forays forward from a Palace side that demonstrated plenty of attacking ambition. 

Yet moments beyond the opening minutes where Alisson was truly tested were rare, Salah making the game safe as Liverpool moved three points clear of City, who drew at home with Southampton, as well as Manchester United and Chelsea. Naby Keita added late gloss to the scoreline with a superb volley. 

Palace went agonisingly close twice in the first three minutes, Alisson scrambling to turn a goal-bound Wilfried Zaha effort onto the post after he had latched onto Conor Gallagher's lofted ball into the box, before Christian Benteke then headed against the left upright, although replays showed the striker to be in an offside position. 

Vicente Guaita was forced into a fine save at the far post from Liverpool's midweek Champions League hero Jordan Henderson, but the Reds initially struggled to make their dominance of possession count following Palace's bright start. 

Diogo Jota should have put Liverpool in front when the ball rebounded to him at point-blank range after Guaita repelled Thiago Alcantara's header, however, he blazed a seemingly simple chance high over the bar. 

Mane made no such mistake two minutes before half-time as he was alert to tuck home the rebound and break the deadlock following Guaita's diving stop from Salah's near-post header. 

The busy Guaita produced a double save to deny Keita and Salah while at the other end Odsonne Edouard was let down by his first touch with a gilt-edged chance to restore parity. 

And the Eagles' failure to find a leveller was punished 12 minutes from time when Salah settled matters by lashing home after Virgil van Dijk had flicked on Konstantinos Tsimikas' corner, with Palace's inability to defend another set-piece situation allowing Keita to add the finishing touch in some style. 

What does it mean? Liverpool top and in ominous form 

Liverpool were far from perfect against Palace, who may wonder how they did not get on the scoresheet, but an ultimately comfortable win means they are top of the pile and now 15 league games unbeaten. 

Their last longer undefeated streak was a run of 44 games without a loss that stretched from January 2019 to February 2020. It is still early, but Jurgen Klopp's squad are clearly setting their stall out to regain the title. 

Hundred up for Mane 
 
Mane's opener was not his most memorable, yet it was historic as it made it a century for Liverpool for the Senegal forward. The former Southampton man has scored in nine consecutive Premier League games against Palace too, a record for the most successive matches with a goal versus the same opponent in the competition. 

Palace draw another blank 

It was a frustrating outing for Palace, who created openings but were lacking a cutting edge in the final third. They have failed to score in three of their five league games this season. Only Wolves (four) have been held goalless more times in 2021-22. 

Key Opta facts

- Liverpool have won each of their past nine Premier League games against Crystal Palace – only against Bolton have they had a longer winning run in the competition (10 games between 2007-2011).
- Following their 30 shots against Leeds, and 25 against Palace, Liverpool have registered 25+ shots in consecutive league games for the first time since May 2017.
- Since the start of the 2020-21 season, Liverpool have scored more goals from corners than any other side in the Premier League (16).
- Mane became the 18th different player to score 100 goals in all competitions for Liverpool, with the Senegalese netting more of these against Palace than any other opponent (10).
- Since his debut for Liverpool, Salah has racked up 134 goal involvements in the Premier League (99 goals, 35 assists), at least 24 more than any other player.

What's next? 

Liverpool visit Norwich City on Tuesday in the EFL Cup before a trip to Brentford on Saturday, two days before Palace welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to Selhurst Park.