Liverpool secured their second successive victory at the start of the Premier League season by beating hard-working Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
James Milner gave them the lead with a penalty after Mohamed Salah was brought down by Mamadou Sakho in the closing seconds of the first half.
Palace had young defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka sent off with 15 minutes left after he brought down Salah when the Egyptian was through on goal.
And Sadio Mane wrapped up the points in injury time when he ran from his own half before rounding Wayne Hennessey to score.
The Eagles had chances, and Andros Townsend curled an effort on to the bar after a mistake by the otherwise impressive Naby Keita.
But Liverpool were worthy winners and join five other teams, including champions Manchester City, on six points after two games.
For the penalty, former Liverpool defender Sakho put his arms on Salah and then had two attempts to trip the forward, who went down.
BBC Radio 5 live pundit Chris Sutton said: “Sakho had a couple of nibbles. I think that’s a penalty. Salah was tripped. There was enough contact and Salah goes down. I can understand Palace fans are frustrated but it’s bad defending.”
The Premier League is the only one of Europe’s top five leagues not to use video assistant referees this season – but even if a VAR official or referee Michael Oliver had the option of watching it again, it may not have been overturned.
The same was true when Wan-Bissaka clipped Salah before he could reach the penalty area. The Egyptian had possibly lost control before the tackle came, and some fans were not convinced about the decision, but Sutton said the referee had “no choice”.
Liverpool, who are expected to put in a real title challenge this season, were never likely to follow up their 4-0 opening-day win over West Ham with a similar result at Selhurst Park against a team in good form.
But they dominated, having more possession than the Eagles, who were on the back foot for most of the game.
Salah, who scored 44 goals last season and once on the opening day, did not look at full sharpness – but he was still involved in all of Liverpool’s best moments.
The Egyptian, who was fouled for the penalty and the red card, had a couple of shots blocked and missed with two different chips over Hennessey.
Though Wan-Bissaka is quick, it felt as though the Salah of last year may not have been caught – and it does appear he may have lost possession even had he not been fouled.
But he still set up Mane’s late goal after Palace committed players forward for a corner. Salah played the ball to Mane, who ran 50 yards before going round the keeper and tapping into an empty net.
Keita looked in good form, with plenty of midfield running and forcing two saves from Hennessey, as well as shooting wide.
Reds keeper Alisson kept another clean sheet, performing a good save to touch a Luka Milivojevic free-kick away from the top corner. He also showed good skill and confidence to step past Christian Benteke near his own goalline in the first half.
Simon Mignolet was on the Reds bench, with Loris Karius – who was in the stands – set to join Besiktas on a two-year loan deal.
