LONDON: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah each netted twice in a scoring masterclass as the visitors thrashed Crystal Palace 7-0 to record their first away win in the Premier League since September and move a provisional six points clear at the top.
Japanese midfielder Takumi Minamino wasted no time in repaying Juergen Klopp's decision to start him instead of Salah by scoring with just over two minutes on the clock before Sadio Mane twisted and fired home form the edge of the box to make it two in the 35th minute.
Firmino added a third just before the break, flicking home to finish off a glorious counter-attack that swept the length of the field, and captain Jordan Henderson added a fourth seven minutes into the second half as Palace fell apart.
Firmino scored his second with a brilliant chipped effort in the 68th and Salah came on to score with a simple header before netting with a fine curling shot into the top corner five minutes from time.
The victory puts the Merseysiders on 31 points after 14 games, ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who host Leicester City on Sunday.
Renewed hostilities
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is relishing Manchester United's first competitive match against Leeds United in nine years on Sunday, recalling "fiery" encounters during his time as a player.
Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds will travel to Manchester full of confidence after a 5-2 trouncing of Newcastle on Wednesday. United are also buoyant after coming from behind to beat bottom side Sheffield United 3-2 on Thursday -- climbing to sixth in the table.
"I can't wait," said Solskjaer. "It's been too long, of course. I know how much it means for our supporters, I know how much it means for our club."