Sadio Mane scored his 100th goal for Liverpool in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, propelling the Reds to the top of the Premier League.
Mane's landmark goal came in his 224th appearance for Liverpool, shattering Palace's rearguard action late in the first half at Anfield. Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Guinea's Naby Keita scored in the second half to put Jurgen Klopp's club three points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.
It seemed fitting that Mane scored a century versus Palace, as he set a new Premier League record for the most consecutive games scored by a player against a single opponent. Mane has scored against Palace for the ninth time in a row. More crucially for Klopp, Mane has already scored four goals this season, indicating that he is ready to move on from his terrible personal season last season.
After a lackluster, injury-plagued Premier League title defense, Liverpool is back in the hunt to reclaim the trophy from Manchester City. Klopp's team has started the season unblemished, with four wins from five games, one goal surrendered and 12 goals scored.
Ibrahima Konate, a French defender recruited from Leipzig in the offseason, made his Liverpool debut as one of six changes from the midweek Champions League triumph against AC Milan.
Klopp changed his entire back four, with Virgil van Dijk returning, James Milner replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right, and Kostas Tsimikas replacing Andy Robertson. Mane is a celebrity.
Liverpool appeared disturbed by Klopp's changes at first, as Palace nearly capitalized on a defensive gaffe that resulted in Alisson Becker pushing Wilfried Zaha's strike onto the post. Liverpool's reaction was sparked by Diogo Jota, who shot across the goal from a tight angle. Jordan Henderson scored the game-winning goal for Liverpool against AC Milan, and the England midfielder was inches away from scoring again when his half-volley from Sadio Mane's cross forced Vicente Guaita to make a fine save.
Alisson had to make a superb stop from Joel Ward's shot to keep Liverpool ahead at the break. Conor Gallagher was tripped on the edge of the box, and Palace were inches away from scoring a penalty in the second half. Christian Benteke squandered the free-kick, and Van Dijk headed wide at the other end.
Guaita stopped Keita's shot, scrambling to his feet to deny Salah's follow-up attempt. Salah would not be denied a goal for long, and in the 78th minute, the Egypt star delivered the decisive punch. Salah was perfectly placed to slot home at the far post after Van Dijk assisted on a Liverpool corner.
