Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Liverpool's late push for a top-four finish in the Premier League received a boost with a dramatic 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Christian Benteke won and converted a penalty deep into injury time to secure Jurgen Klopp's side—who had lost James Milner to a red card after an hour—a third straight victory in league action.
The substitute kept his cool to score from the spot after he had been fouled inside the area by Eagles defender Damien Delaney.
Crystal Palace had taken the lead early in the second half through midfielder Joe Ledley, putting them on course for a first league win in 2016.
However, goalkeeper Alex McCarthy's weak clearance gifted Roberto Firmino the opportunity to score an equaliser after 72 minutes.
Benteke then popped up with the winner right at the death to complete a stunning comeback, with the result lifting Jurgen Klopp's side up to seventh in the table.
Bleacher Report has picked out the winners and losers from what was a dramatic game in the English capital.
Winner: Christian Benteke
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Christian Benteke has endured a tough first season at Liverpool.
After being the focal point at former club Aston Villa, the Belgium international has found himself on the periphery of things at Anfield.
However, the striker made a telling contribution off the bench at Selhurst Park. Replacing compatriot Divock Origi, Benteke won a late, late penalty when drawing a needless challenge from Damien Delaney.
The Crystal Palace defender caught the forward's trailing leg with his knee, allowing Benteke to pick himself up and calmly knock home the spot-kick.
With a stutter just before the point of contact with the ball, the striker tempted goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to dive one way, allowing him to deposit his effort into the opposite side of the goal.
Per Squawka Football on Twitter, it was his first goal since December 30, 2015, ending a run of 18 scoreless matches in all competitions.
Loser: James Milner
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James Milner played a starring role in Liverpool's 3-0 Premier League win over Manchester City on Wednesday, scoring a goal against his old employers.
However, the midfielder turned from hero to villain with his red card against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Having already received a yellow in the first half for a foul on Yohan Cabaye, the England international picked up a second booking for a late lunge on Wilfried Zaha.
As confirmed by OptaJoe on Twitter, it was just the second time Milner had been giving his marching orders in the Premier League, the other occasion coming when he played for Manchester City in 2012.
At least Milner didn't end up costing his team, as Liverpool rallied to pick up all three points on the road.
Winner: Roberto Firmino
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Roberto Firmino has been in such good form lately that he didn't really need any help in getting a goal.
However, the Brazilian found himself the fortunate recipient of a gift from Crystal Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who unfortunately slipped when attempting to make a clearance.
His scuffed kick went straight to Firmino, who reacted quickly to the sudden opportunity. The forward carried the ball into the area before slotting a shot beyond McCarthy.
According to Sky Sports Statto, only Sergio Aguero (nine) has scored more Premier League goals in 2016 than Firmino's tally of seven.
There was a further cause for celebration later on Sunday—Firmino was drafted into Brazil's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Uruguay in March, per Squawka News.
Loser: Alex McCarthy
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Poor Alex McCarthy. The Crystal Palace goalkeeper was handed his first start since Sept. 20, 2015, due to an injury to Wayne Hennessey.
However, his first-team return didn't go quite as he would have liked.
McCarthy's untimely slip set up Roberto Firmino to equalise for the 10 men of Liverpool after 72 minutes.
He had a late chance to redeem himself when facing Christian Benteke's penalty, but the Belgian sent the keeper the wrong way to score the winning goal deep into injury time.
McCarthy took to Twitter to offer an apology to his team's fans after the game: "Football is a game of high and lows, I'm sorry to all you palace fans but I didn't mean to slip! Great support as always!"
Winner: Jurgen Klopp
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For the first time in his reign, Jurgen Klopp has steered Liverpool to three successive Premier League wins.
The German must have feared the worst when James Milner was sent off with the score at 1-0 to Crystal Palace, yet his side showed tremendous spirit to rally in the final half-hour.
The result—following on from triumphs over Aston Villa and Manchester City—puts Liverpool in good spirits ahead of their UEFA Europa League clash with Manchester United.
However, Klopp insisted he did not have one eye on Thursday's first leg of the European tie with his team selection, telling David Lynch of Liverpool's official website: "Today, I did not have Thursday in mind. We tried to prepare ourselves for a real physical fight today against Crystal Palace."
His decision to send on Christian Benteke—chosen ahead of fellow substitute Daniel Sturridge—was vindicated by the striker's late winner.
Loser: Alan Pardew
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With his side 1-0 up and Liverpool down to 10 men, Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew must have believed his side were set to record a long-overdue Premier League win.
Instead, the Eagles conceded two goals to surrender their lead and leave them still looking for a first league triumph in 2016.
Pardew was particularly unhappy with the award of a late penalty against his side for an apparent foul on Christian Benteke, telling BBC Sport: "He certainly made a big meal of it."
Now Crystal Palace must quickly pick themselves up and focus on an FA Cup tie against Championship opponents Reading on Friday.
They could be relieved to take a break from Premier League action, having picked up just two points from their last 10 outings in the competition.
