Crystal Palace 1, Liverpool 2: First Thoughts

Crystal Palace 1 Ledley 49'
Liverpool 2 Firmino 73', Benteke 90+5'

• Pregame Thoughts: Flanno! It never gets old watching this kid play, but it's also important to note this is the first time back-to-back starts have been asked of the Scouser, which is a hugely positive sign for his inexorable climb back to world dominance. We said WORLD. DOMINANCE. 
  
  
• Manny Adebayor going with some sort of Rasta, lunch lady, wasp's nest concoction with the coiffure today. Let's see how that works out for him.
  
  
• Healthy amount of physical play in the game to start, Milly with what looked like a well placed free kick that didn't quite make it through the wall, and Flanno with a really nice cover on the far post to clear a ball in. Alby Moreno take note.
  
  
• A lot of set pieces and corner kicks being cleared by the Reds today. Let's run through that one more time for posterity: A LOT OF SET PIECES AND CORNER KICKS BEING CLEARED BY THE REDS TODAY.
  
  
• Half-time: Welp, nil-nil is sort of a result if you factor in the set piece solidity. Bolasie had his terrifying moment on the break, and Palace look fairly up for it, in general. An early second half goal could be the critical turning point for either side. Our halftime team talk involves some Nova's Bakery french roast and an aggravating series of phone calls with the Satan's spawn that is Time Warner Cable. Cannot wait for Google Fiber to bring their apples to town.
  
  
• Dejan rockin some serious bedhead, 
  
  
• ***GOAL*** Joe Ledley 49' Soaure leaving Sakho with something to remember him by when the Parisian prince comes over on the clearing slide tackle. The subsequent corner kick gets knocked about a bit, and Joe Ledley finds a channel to drive one home inside Mignolet's lefthand side. So much for corner kick solidity.
  
  
• Selhurst Park is rockin, as Klopp is sat down with a very unimpressed expression on his face.
  
  
• Ball movement has picked up a bit for Liverpool, and Divock Origi is working pretty hard for a clear chance. That kid's a baller.
  
  
• Aside from that goal, which sucks it totally sucks, the Reds have grown into the game, looking at least capable of bouncing back in this one.
  
  
• Flanagan off for Coutinho with Milly dropping into RB. Makes some sense in terms of needing Moreno's attacking width, but makes not so much sense in terms of ITS JON PATRICK FLANAGAN, KLOPPO, DA FUQ.
  
  
• ***RED CARD*** James Milner 62' Nothing to say, really. Hideous tackle deserving of a red. Thanks for that, James.
  
  
• Liverpool still growing in the game, even with a man down. Firmino cutting in off the right to feed Adam Lallicious into the right channel of the box, but the Englishman's cutback doesn't quite make it by Delaney. 
  
  
• Bobby looks geeked right now, and although we're a man down, the legs of Origi up top mean the Reds can still space this Palace back line out fairly effectively. 
  
  
• Which is noted by Pardew as he brings Jordan Mutch on for a tweaked Cabaye and shifts things into a more stacked 4-4-2/4-4-1-1.
  
  
• ***GOAL*** Roberto Firmino 73' Wonderful vision from Alex McCarthy to find a wide open Firmino, who takes his good position to calmly slot home. Game on.
  
  
• Good decision by Alby to take that clearance out of the air from deep in his own half.
  
  
• Dejan Lovren with a ridiculous bit of heading skill to cut out a ball over the top, hold off Bolasie, and loop a second header calmly into Mignolet's arms. No fan fare for plays like that, but goodness gracious that sort of thing takes stones.
  
  
• Really good work from Coutinho to force the issue, ultimately presenting a chance for Lallana to dink one at the far post. Tekkers comes on for Origi on the subsequent corner. Here's your chance to make a mark, big man!
  
  
• Good attempt on the volley by Benteke goes blocked, then good work by him to drop wide on the link up finds him unwilling to make a clear run into the box for Emre to swing one in. So, more or less of the same?
  
  
• Alby almost the hero with a spank of the upright from distance!
  
  
• Kolo on for Bobby, looking sensational with that new flat top, bub.
  
  
• ***PENALTY*** In the final minute of stoppage time, Benteke runs wide in the box and is clipped. Referee isn't having it but the assistant says penalty and the big Belgian steps up.
  
  
• ***GOAL*** Benteke buries it to cap a bizarre finish, and Liverpool somehow escape with all three points.

We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.