Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool's Premier League clash at Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates with his team mates after scoring their second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on November 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens - AMA/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz is congratulated by his Liverpool team-mates after his well-taken goal at Crystal Palace (Image: Steve Bardens - AMA/Getty Images)
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There was a moment during an at times tortuous first half which encapsulated the miscommunication and lack of decisiveness that has been preventing Liverpool’s embryonic attack from gelling.
With Crystal Palace caught upfield, the Reds sparked a lightning break which left them with four players up against just three home defenders.
Between them, though, both the Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak played a succession of poor passes which allowed Palace to scramble the ball clear.
That has been the story for far too much of this season under Andoni Iraola, with his expensively-assembled strikeforce rarely showing signs of clicking into any kind of consistent gear.
READ MORE: Liverpool have rediscovered their character under Andoni Iraola - but horror stat needs addressing
Whether that is down to poor individual performances or a lack of understanding between the forwards is a matter with which the Reds head coach is continuing to grapple.
But that it may just be more a matter of showing patience became evident in the second half, with the previously poor Bradley Barcola, having switched to the right flank, teeing up Wirtz for Liverpool’s second before the Germany international turned creator for Isak’s eighth goal of the season and fourth in successive away league matches.
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It will be a concern the Reds remain among the least effective teams this season regards creating big chances in the Premier League, but their tally of 14 goals is only one fewer than runaway leaders Arsenal.
The second half, though, was a much-needed sign Liverpool, and their attack featuring may be slowly getting there.
Szoboszlai plays part
It wasn’t that long ago Dominik Szoboszlai was being lauded as a future talisman after providing a rare chink of light for Liverpool during the gloom of last season.
Football judgement, though, waits for nobody, and after an indifferent start to the campaign not helped by injury, the Hungary international found himself being criticised on social media in midweek for one animated interaction during the Champions League loss at Fenerbahce.
Here, with teenager Trey Nyoni rested after three successive starts, Szoboszlai was back at the base of midfield, starting alongside Alexis Mac Allister for only the third time in more than two months.
And while it was by no means a dominating performance from the 26-year-old, there was one weapon in his armoury that unlocked the Crystal Palace defence five minutes before the interval.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their team's first goal with Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on November 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai celebrate after they combined for Liverpool's opening goal at Crystal Palace(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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After Cody Gakpo’s persistence won a free-kick down the right, Szoboszlai’s pinpoint delivery to the near post invited Mac Allister to mark his 100th Premier League start for the Reds by spinning away from his marker and heading beyond Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The Hungarian took a knock shortly before half-time and emerged after the break with heavy strapping around his right knee before eventually admitting defeat. But he had already played his part in this win.
Liverpool ending away daze
If only Liverpool could play every Premier League game away from Anfield.
While Iraola’s side continue to stumble on their own patch, this latest road triumph ensured they remain unbeaten away in the top flight under Iraola with 13 points from a possible 15.
Compare that to the miserly total of five from as many home games, although they are 100% at Anfield in four cup games this season.
Having lost at Brentford, Bournemouth and here against Crystal Palace last term, this time around they have won all three. Add in the victory at Ipswich Town, and they’re already more than halfway towards their overall tally of Premier League away triumphs last season.
So continues the Reds' impressive record in the capital, now unbeaten in their last six league visits to London.
And it was a much-needed settler at the end of a hectic run of nine games in 29 days, Liverpool going into the international break in the Champions League positions that are always regarded the bare minimum target.
The visit of Manchester United in a fortnight represents the ideal opportunity for Liverpool to start transferring their away form to more regular surrounds.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Liverpool FC Head Coach Andoni Iraola concentrates after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola, pictured on the club's tour of the US(Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)