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Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace
By James Nalton
at Anfield
SADIO MANE reached 100 goals for Liverpool, who had to work hard for their victory against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday.
It was also Mane’s ninth goal in successive games against Palace — a Premier League record for a player scoring in consecutive games against the same opponent.
“People forget around these 100 goals he worked incredibly hard,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said of Mane’s milestone.
“He defended for us, pressed high, counter pressed, created goals and set up chances.
“The 100 goals are just one number, there are so many other numbers that are similarly important, but I’m really happy for him that he could reach that today.
“It’s a massive achievement. In the glorious history of this club only 18 players scored 100 goals.
“That says a lot because nowadays players are usually not at clubs that long, so I’m really happy that I could work for five years with Sadio, he’s just a top player.”
Mane was joined on the scoresheet by the impressive Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita whose left-footed volley was the pick of the goals.
Klopp told his players after the game that it was one of the most hard-fought 3-0 wins he had ever seen.
If that work was epitomised by any player, it was vice-captain James Milner.
His inclusion came as a result of Liverpool changing their entire defence from their midweek win against Milan.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was taken ill the morning of the game and Joel Matip was rested which meant a debut for new signing Ibrahima Konate.
The Frenchman’s display was encouraging, but more notable was the performance of Milner to the right of him in place of Alexander-Arnold.
After an early scare when Wilfried Zaha worked his way behind the defence only to see his effort tipped onto the post by Alisson, Milner put in a display of textbook defending.
The 35-year-old was up against one of the league’s most dangerous wingers in his prime and had to use all his nous to continually thwart Palace’s main threat.
He did so admirably while also contributing to Liverpool’s attacking play. Milner ran further and passed, tackled, and crossed the ball more than any other player on the pitch.
Klopp commented: “Milly did an incredible job, I’m pretty sure he enjoyed that game today!”
