Alexander Isak scored in the Premier League at Anfield for the first time since joining Liverpool as the Reds strengthened their grip on a Champions League spot with victory over Crystal Palace.

Sweden forward Isak has endured a bitterly frustrating spell since completing a British record £125m move from Newcastle.

But he set Liverpool on their way to a third straight top-flight win when his shot into the ground from 12 yards looped over the head of Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and into the net.

Liverpool's third-choice keeper Freddie Woodman made his first Premier League appearance for the Reds as Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili were both injured.

Woodman made a diving save to keep out Jean-Philippe Mateta's header moments before Liverpool made it 2-0 through Andy Robertson.

The Scotland full-back finished off a fine counter-attack with a precise finish following a lightning attack involving Curtis Jones.

Palace set up a grandstand finish when Daniel Munoz scored from outside the box with Woodman down injured, before Eagles substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen hit the post in the 84th minute.

But the Reds sealed victory through Florian Wirtz's finish deep into stoppage time, a right-foot finish from inside the box.

Despite the victory, it was not all good news for Liverpool, as Mohamed Salah was forced off with an injury in the second half.

Salah, who has acquired legendary status at Anfield for his goals, has announced he is leaving the club after nine years' service at the end of the season.

Liverpool fans will hope that is not the last they will see of Salah.

Palace had started well and Brennan Johnson should have put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute but instead fired over.

Woodman's save from Mateta - followed by Robertson's finish at the other end - proved a decisive moment and led to Liverpool fans serenading the former Palace youth goalkeeper with chants of "England's, England's number one".

This win means Liverpool are eight points clear of sixth-placed Brighton in the race for the Champions League, with four games to play. The top five will play in Europe's most prestigious competition next season.

Liverpool analysis: Nerves and protests

On this late April weekend last year, Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions on a day of wild celebrations and emotion following a 5-1 demolition of Tottenham at Anfield.

Twelve months on and a rather more subdued atmosphere surrounds the club.

This season is heading towards a trophy-less conclusion, Salah and Robertson are on their way out, and Arne Slot's future as head coach remains a talking point among fans.

On Saturday, there was also a protest. Thousands of fans, unhappy about rising ticket prices, produced yellow cards in the 13th minute.

This was a nervy Liverpool performance and tension remained until Wirtz struck in the sixth added minute to make it 3-1 and give his side some breathing space.

The Reds remain well placed to qualify for the Champions League.

This win lifts them to fourth, level on 58 points with Manchester United, who have one game in hand.

In addition, first-choice keeper Alisson is expected to return for the next game, away to fierce rivals Manchester United on 3 May.

Whether Salah is fit for that one, after his injury against Palace, remains to be seen.

Crystal Palace analysis: More shots, more attempts on target, no points

Crystal Palace were bidding to become the first club to defeat Liverpool four times in one season.

After winning a penalty shootout against the Reds in the Community Shield, Oliver Glasner's side had also won the two meetings between the clubs in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

It looked like Palace were out of this after conceding twice in five minutes towards the end of the first half.

But Munoz's goal left Liverpool edgy, with Palace having more shots and registering more attempts on target as they threw everything at the hosts.

Despite this defeat, Palace's season is very much alive and they will now start preparing for Thursday's Conference League semi-final first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk in Poland.

What's next?

While Liverpool have a full week to prepare for their Premier League away trip to fierce rivals Manchester United on Sunday, 3 May (15:30 BST kick-off), Crystal Palace have a huge European semi-final coming up.

They travel to Krakow, Poland, to face Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday (20:00 BST) in the Conference League, hoping to establish a first-leg lead to take back to Selhurst Park. (BBC)

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