Ruthless Liverpool thrash Crystal Palace to go clear

Liverpool will stay on top of the Premier League into Christmas day after the champions defeated Crystal Palace 7-0 in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Five of the last teams on top of the Premier League table at Christmas went on to win the title and Liverpool ensured they would celebrate the special day at the peak.

Takumi Minamino, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino (two), Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah  (two) scored Liverpool’s goals as they notched up their biggest away league since 1896.

It is also Crystal Palace’s worst-ever home defeat in the league.Japan forward Minamino justified his rare start by getting Liverpool off to a quick start, striking home from 10 yards out after Mane’s clever pass in the third minute.

Crystal Palace were jolted into life by the Liverpool goal and they were on the front foot for a spell, forcing Liverpool back and creating chances.

They however failed to take their opportunities and got punished by the ruthless Reds.

Mane got in on the act in the 35th minute with another finish from inside the Palace box, and Liverpool took a 3-0 lead into the break after Firmino’s cheeky finish from a breakaway.

Captain Henderson made it 4-0 with a controlled strike from the edge of the box, before Firmino added another close-range finish.

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah then came off the bench to add to Palace’s misery.

He scored twice, first in the 81st minute with a header from about six yards in the 81st minute and then a wonderful curling shot from outside the box three minutes later to take his goal tally to 13 in 13 appearances the league this season.

Liverpool are now six points clear at the top of the Premier League table with 31 points from 14 games.