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If 2020 ends up being the year Liverpool finally end the long painful wait for a league title, then the scoreline of 2-1 more than any other may speak to the character of the team.
For the fifth time this Premier League campaign, and sixth in all competitions, Liverpool won by a margin of 2-1, on this occasion defeating a resolute Crystal Palace side. That at same score line has been the difference in a number of key results this season, seeing the Reds prevail over marquee teams including the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Leicester City.
In that final score is a strength of will: fighting back from behind, shutting the door defensively on a rally, powering on after conceding an equalizer, last-gasp winners. Heart. Poise. Hope.
No not hope, but conviction. Confidence.
“You cannot have the [undefeated] run the boys have had so far if you only win the brilliant games,” Jürgen Klopp said speaking to Sky Sports after the game. “I’m not surprised at all that it was tough.”
“The games [at Selhurst Park] are always similar, we know it is a tough place and they don’t give up.”
After being stymied in the first half without a single shot on target, the Reds came out in the second period much improved, applying pressure before finding an opener through Sadio Mané and eventually a winner through Roberto Firmino.
“We knew at half time that we had to do better,” Klopp continued. “We said we just have to make sure you are ready to fight right from the very start. Getting a result at Crystal Palace, we will never take it for granted.”
Liverpool are assured that the end of Matchday 13 will see their eight point lead secure at the top of the table.