Crystal Palace vs Liverpool player ratings: Guehi 5, Edouard 7; Alisson 9, Matip 4

Van Dijk and Oxlade-Chamberlain give Reds control before Fabinho adds late contentious penalty as Liverpool run out 3-1 winners

CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita – 5. The Spaniard had no chance for the opening goal but should have done more to stop Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring at the near post. He was on the wrong end of a poor penalty decision. AFP

Joel Ward – 5. The 32-year-old allowed Liverpool too much room out wide. He was unable to generate any real momentum going forward. Getty Images

Joachim Andersen – 6. The Dane lost Van Dijk for the opening goal. He found it hard to keep on top of the attack in the opening period but was better after the break. AFP

Marc Guehi – 5. The 21-year-old made a superb early intervention to deny Jota but should have cleared the danger before the corner that led to the opening goal. His passing set up a number of attacks. Getty Images

Tyrick Mitchell – 4. The 22-year-old struggled with Liverpool’s movement and pace in the first half. He was caught under the ball and out of position for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal. Getty Images

Conor Gallagher – 5. The man on loan from Chelsea tried to press but was late to the majority of challenges and could have been booked much earlier. He had a chance in the area but his control failed him. AFP

Will Hughes – 6. The 26-year-old was bypassed by Liverpool’s crisp passing early on but was more effective breaking up attacks in the second half. He was replaced by Ayew with 13 minutes to go. AFP

Jeffrey Schlupp – 6. The Ghanaian got in Andersen’s way for the first goal and looked lost in the opening period. He improved after the break and was involved in the build-up to Edouard’s goal. Reuters

Michael Olise – 7. The 20-year-old should have made more of the chance presented to him by Matip. His crossing was dangerous. Getty Images

Crystal Palace's French-born striker Jean-Philippe Mateta (L) shoots but fails to score past Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on January 23, 2022. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Odsonne Edouard – 7. The 24-year-old sprung to life in the second half. He was denied by a great save when he backheeled from close range but took his goal well. He was taken off with 22 minutes left for Eze. AFP

SUB: Eberechi Eze – 5. The 23-year-old replaced Edouard in the 68th minute. He was not as effective as Palace might have hoped. Getty Images

SUB: Jordan Ayew – 5. The Ghanaian came on for Hughes with 13 minutes left but never got to the pace of the game. Getty Images

SUB: Christian Benteke – 5. The Belgian was brought on for Mateta in the 77th minute but could not make much impact against his former club. Getty Images

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 9. The Brazilian was brilliant. He made a number of fine saves, the best being from Edouard’s close-range backheel. Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7. The 23-year-old had an excellent first half and caused Palace huge problems. The opposition adjusted and he was not so impressive after the break. He was replaced in stoppage time by Gomez. Getty Images

Joel Matip – 4. The 30-year-old played a terrible pass across the face of his own goal and was lucky not to be punished. He got caught square too often and was unable to step into the midfield when in possession. PA

Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman opened the scoring with a towering header and was kept busy as Palace tried to claw their way back into the game. He was strong when needed. Getty Images

Andrew Robertson – 8. The Scot’s crossing created the first two goals and he was rampant in the first half. He had to work harder defensively after the break. Getty Images

Fabinho – 6. The Brazilian was in charge in the opening exchanges but lost his way after the first half-hour. He was over-run at times in the second period but kept his composure to score from the penalty spot./ AFP

Curtis Jones – 6. The 20-year-old was influential in the first half and his quick passing kept Liverpool on the move. Things got tougher when Palace found a foothold in the game. Getty Images

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7. The 28-year-old put in plenty of effort and was rewarded with a smartly-taken goal. He was withdrawn in the 60th minute and replaced by Minamino. Getty Images

Roberto Firmino – 5. The Brazilian had some inspired moments early on as he linked the play and pressed opposition ballcarriers. He drifted out of the game and was replaced by Milner in the final minute. Getty Images

Diogo Jota – 7. The Portuguese put himself about and was a constant irritant for the defence. He was very fortunate to be awarded the late penalty. Reuters

SUB: Takumi Minamino – 5. The Japanese joined the action in the 60th minute in place of Oxlade-Chamberlain. He was unable to affect the game.

SUB: James Milner – 6. The 36-year-old came on for Firmino in the final minute. He is the team’s security blanket when protecting a late lead. Getty Images

SUB: Joe Gomez – 6. The 24-year-old was brought on in stoppage time for Alexander-Arnold to shore up the defence. He managed to make a couple of clearances in his short time on the pitch. PA

Liverpool reduced the gap at the top of the Premier League table to nine points after a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.

Two Andrew Robertson assists helped the Reds take control, with Virgil van Dijk and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on target in the first half.

But Patrick Vieira’s side reduced the deficit through Odsonne Edouard at the start of the second period.

In the end it took a string of saves from Alisson Becker to secure the win, with Fabinho adding a contentious penalty late on to wrap up a victory which keeps the title race alive after Manchester City dropped points on Saturday.