Liverpool handed Manchester City a potentially decisive advantage in the Premier League title race after losing a three-goal lead on their way to a 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace.
The Reds took the lead through Joe Allen in the first half when the diminutive midfielder was left unmarked at a corner, with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez striking once each in the second to give Brendan Rodgers’s side a clear advantage.
Brendan Rodgers’s side looked to be maintaining the pressure on title favourites Manchester City and reducing a gap in goal difference that remains at nine.
Joe Allen’s first goal for Liverpool and strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Suarez put the Reds in complete command as the visiting fans urged their side forward in search of more with City in their sights.
Instead, Liverpool’s fragile defence collapsed completely at the first sign of serious pressure as Palace sent Selhurst Park wild with goals from Damien Delaney and a double from substitute Dwight Gayle.
Liverpool’s point put them back on top of the table, but the sight of players on their haunches and an emotional Suarez – his face covered by his shirt as he was ushered towards the tunnel by captain Steven Gerrard and substitute Kolo Toure – told the tale.
Manchester City are now in pole position with home games against Aston Villa and West Ham United to come.
Rodgers will be at a loss to explain how his team crumbled so badly to cast aside a vital three points and the chance to move closer to their first title in 24 years.
Palace have proved their quality against illustrious opposition before this season, but here they made a tame start and allowed the visitors to take the early initiative.
Liverpool had a clear penalty appear rejected early on when Yannick Bolasie missed his kick completely in the area and only connected with Glen Johnson.
Referee Mark Clattenberg only awarded a corner and Liverpool were frustrated once more when Mamadou Sakho headed Gerrard’s kick off target when completely unmarked.
Johnson was causing problems down Palace’s left flank and he should have put Liverpool ahead when he found himself clear on the end of Allen’s raking long pass, but his header beat home keeper Julian Speroni and the bar.
Liverpool’s threat was growing and it was no surprise when they finally went ahead after 18 minutes. Allen pulled away from his marker Joe Ledley to meet Gerrard’s corner with space and time to head past Speroni.
Palace finally showed more ambition as half-time approached and Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet was called into action to save from Jason Puncheon and Mile Jedinak.
Any hopes of a recovery seemed to be swept away by Liverpool’s dazzling start to the second half that, at that stage, looked to have put the game out of Palace’s reach and ate into City’s superior goal difference.
Sturridge saw his curling shot superbly turned on to the post by Speroni, only for Suarez to blaze the rebound wildly off target with the keeper still trying to recover his position.
Speroni had no such luck moments later when Sturridge’s low shot from the edge of the area took a crucial deflection and trickled out of the reach of the keeper.
Liverpool, sensing there were more goals to be had, surged forward and Suarez made it three with his 31st Premier League goal of the season when he beat Speroni easily after a neat exchange with Raheem Sterling.
Palace had shown little but were revived 11 minutes from time when Delaney’s 25-yard shot was deflected high beyond Mignolet.
Liverpool suddenly seemed gripped by panic and Palace exposed them ruthlessly two minutes later as Bolasie squared for Gayle to score with a precise finish.
And then, with two minutes left, Liverpool’s misery was complete as substitute Glenn Murray chested a long ball into Gayle’s path for another comprehensive finish.
As Palace players celebrated, Liverpool’s reacted in a manner which suggested they believe their title challenge is finally over.
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