Are Liverpool's big-money forwards finally starting to click? Win at Palace offers hope

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  Beth LindopNov 8, 2026, 01:00 PM ET

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  Based in Liverpool, Beth Lindop is ESPN's Liverpool correspondent and also covers the WSL and UWCL.

LONDON -- "Poetry in motion" was the serenade from the away end at Selhurst Park. And for a moment in their 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League, that's exactly what Liverpool were.

Andoni Iraola's side were leading 1-0 in south London thanks to a first-half header from Alexis Mac Allister, but it had not been a compelling performance against their faltering opponents. Then, nine minutes after the break, Ronald Araujo squeezed the ball through to Bradley Barcola on the right flank.

The France international -- who, until that point, had endured a torrid afternoon -- charged forward and crossed the ball into the box for Florian Wirtz to slot home. It was the kind of fast, fluid attack that Liverpool have been unable to consistently execute this season, and a reminder of the potential riches on offer if Iraola can get his big-money forward line -- his starting attacking quartet cost more than £391 million ($511 million) to in transfer fees -- working in harmony.

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There was another flash of brilliance late on when substitute Víctor Muñoz raced ahead on the counter-attack and picked out Wirtz in the penalty area. The midfielder deftly touched the ball into the path of Alexander Isak, who duly rifled past goalkeeper Dean Henderson to net his eighth goal of the season in all competitions.

In truth, Liverpool did not showcase their quality enough against a Palace side that will go into the international break sitting rock bottom of the Premier League table. The Eagles' manager Pierre Sage finds his future in serious jeopardy after losing seven of his ten top-flight games in charge. And yet, at times on Sunday, Liverpool were indebted to the crossbar and the heroics of an inspired Alisson Becker in goal.

As such, this victory will do little to revive the Reds' nascent title hopes, dashed in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend. However, after that setback and the bruising midweek implosion at the hands of Fenerbahce in the Champions League, some positivity has at least been restored heading into the two-week international break, with Liverpool moving up to fourth in the table.

"We needed this win, definitely, especially after the defeat the other day in Turkey," Iraola said in his postmatch news conference. "This was another away game and we need to find ways to win in this kind of stadium. I'm very pleased for the three points.

"In the first half the game was quite open, chances for both teams and we had a save from Alisson that is key for us. The first goal was important, to go 1-0 up by half-time. In the second half we defended much better, we controlled much better the game. In the second half when we are ahead, we have spaces to attack and it becomes much easier."

The nature of Wednesday's 3-2 defeat in Istanbul meant Liverpool travelled to the capital with a point to prove. They started quickly but lost their way as Palace began to grow in confidence, with Yéremy Pino hitting the crossbar for the hosts before Jørgen Strand Larsen's bundled effort was ruled out for offside.

Palace's frustration was compounded when Mac Allister diverted Dominik Szoboszlai's smart free-kick delivery past Henderson four minutes before half time. However, Sage's side remained undeterred and would have been level, if not for two impressive saves from Alisson to deny Quinten Timber and Adam Wharton respectively.

Outside of the Mac Allister header, meanwhile, Liverpool had created precious little of note. Their biggest chance came when Barcola blazed a volley over the bar when unmarked at the back post, leaving Iraola with his head in his hands on the touchline.

The £123 million ($167 million) summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain atoned for his wastefulness when he teed up Wirtz early in the second half, offering a glimpse of his devastating pace as he breezed past Jefferson Lerma to register his third assist in four league games. Wirtz was on hand to finish the move, scoring his first Premier League goal since April (also against Palace).

As Palace surged forward in search of a lifeline, spaces began to open up for Liverpool. Isak was able to profit, sitting down Chris Richards and hammering home to seal the three points. By the time Eddie Nketiah had netted his stoppage-time penalty -- controversially awarded for a foul by Milos Kerkez -- the game was already won.

"We are now more or less one quarter [into] the season," Iraola said. "It's clear we still have room to improve, we need to become a better team. Especially away from home we have been very, very solid. This win helps to get us ready again, because United is the next one and we see ourselves in a better place, but we still need to improve."

Certainly, there are positives for Liverpool to take. Sunday marked just the second time that Isak, Barcola and Wirtz have all registered at least one goal contribution each in the same match, having also done so in the 2-1 win over Brentford last month.

It also continues Liverpool's unbeaten run on the road -- nobody in the Premier League has more than the Reds' 13 away points (out of a possible 15) this season. Curiously, it is at home that Liverpool have struggled, having scored only four league goals and picked up just five Premier League points at Anfield this term. The Reds currently rank 18th in the top flight for big chances created with 17, only two more than newly-promoted Hull City.

Against Palace, there were promising flickers from Liverpool's expensively-assembled attack. The visit of Manchester United to visit Anfield on the other side of the international break would be the perfect occasion for them to fully spark into life.