Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park. The Reds started the day level on points with both Manchester City and Arsenal at the summit, but they are now playing catch up in this final fixture of the day in the top flight. The Gunners saw off Sunderland earlier today and City are cruising against West Bromwich Albion, so the pressure is now on the visitors to remain in touch.

While the Reds have made a strong start to the season, in both the Premier League and EFL Cup, it has been more of a mixed couple of months for opponents Palace. They started the day in 11th place in the Premier League with one eye on perhaps challenging for a spot in Europe, but a run of three games without a win - and two defeats on the spin - perhaps suggests that they will have to remain clear of the drop zone first.

TEAM NEWS!

CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Mandanda; Ward, Dann, Tomkins, Kelly; Cabaye, McArthur; Ledley, Lee, Zaha; Benteke

LIVERPOOL XI: Karius; Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Moreno; Henderson, Can; Lallana, Coutinho, Mane; Firmino

Let us start by checking out the home team, then, which shows two changes from last time out - a 3-1 defeat at the hands of champions Leicester City. The big news is that skipper Scott Dann returns after a month out injured, in which time he has had to sit out four fixtures, taking the place of Damien Delaney in the heart of the Eagles' backline for this crunch clash in South London.

There is also a surprise start for Chung-yong Lee, who has largely had to contend with appearances from the bench this term, as he comes in for Andros Townsend. Jason Puncheon was hopeful of a recall this evening but is still nursing an injury which kept him out of that defeat to Leicester seven days ago, while Wilfried Zaha is named out wide for his 200th league appearance for Palace.

The focal point of this Palace side is one Christian Benteke, though, who departed Liverpool just a few months back after being overlooked for much of Jurgen Klopp's Anfield tenure. It goes without saying that players with a point to prove do usually tend to find the net in high-profile fixtures, and the Belgium international certainly enjoys playing against his former suitors, having scored four goals in his previous five appearances against the Reds - all for Aston Villa.

In terms of the visitors, they make a whopping 10 changes from their EFL Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur in midweek, reverting back to their strongest lineup. Well, I say strongest - James Milner is absent today, as expected, due to illness, meaning a place at full-back for error-prone defender Alberto Moreno. The Spaniard's inclusion is the only alteration from last week's 2-1 victory over West Brom at Anfield.

Daniel Sturridge enjoyed himself in the cup clash with Tottenham, getting himself back among the goals once again, but he has to make due with a place on the bench this evening. Sturridge has also scored in every game he has featured in against the Eagles, but that has not altered Klopp's thinking at all as the German instead sticks with this fluid forward line - spearheaded by Roberto Firmino - that contains goals aplenty.

Jordan Henderson was banned for the midweek cup tie with Tottenham due to the accumulation of five yellow cards, but he is now available to play following his mini-rest. The Reds' skipper has made more passes (765) and run further (106.5km) than any other player in the Premier League this season, really upping his game under Klopp and now becoming one of his side's hey players from his position in the engine room. Sadio Mane also retains his place from last weekend, looking to improve on his record that has seen him score in three of his previous four games against today's opponents.

BENCH WATCH!

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Delaney, Fryers, Flamini, Townsend, Puncheon, Campbell

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Mignolet, Klavan, Randall, Lucas, Wijnaldum, Origi, Sturridge

Townsend having to drop down to the bench for today's match, then, with Lee the man preferred in midfield from the off. Damien Delaney is the other man to drop out from last weekend's 3-1 reverse to Leicester, while Jason Puncheon is on the mend but not yet fit enough to start. In terms of the visitors, they have attacking threat in Georginio Wijnaldum, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi, who may be called upon as this contest transpires.

Just the one change from last weekend's victory over West Brom for Liverpool, as Alberto Moreno comes in for sickness victim James Milner. Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has gone with the two alterations from his side's defeat to Leicester, meanwhile, bringing in Chung-yong Lee and returning skipper Scott Dann for his first appearance in a month.

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A big evening for both of these sides, then, but particularly for Liverpool as they look to keep up the pace with the leading pack at the top. The 3pm kickoffs in the Premier League are just about coming to an end now, with Man City comfortable winners over West Brom and Arsenal already beating Sunderland earlier today - both sides increasing their goal difference in the process which could prove vital come next May.

Klopp will insists that playing after Arsenal and City will have no real say on his players' mindset this evening, however, as they know that all they can do is keep this winning run going and stay within touching distance at the top. A victory by a six-goal margin, as things stand, will take them top outright overnight, but just picking up the three points by any means necessary will be the order of the day from the Reds' impressive German boss.

It is fair to say that Klopp has made a more than solid start to his first full season in charge of Liverpool, perhaps aided by the lack of European football to contend with this term - and thus more time on the training ground to drill his high-pressing style into his players - with many neutrals now backing the Reds to go all the way this campaign. They came close under Brendan Rodgers in 2013-14, but Liverpool are now less reliant on one player (Luis Suarez) and do seem to have a little more about them all over the field.

Liverpool have won six of their first nine games in the top flight, with their only loss so far coming away at Burnley early on; a 2-0 reverse at Turf Moor suggesting at the time that not much had changed as far as the Reds' title hopes are concerned. That has not quite proved to be the case over the past six weeks or so, however, as Klopp's charges have gone 10 without defeat in all competitions and have collected more points on their travels than any other side except leaders Arsenal.

A revamped Anfield is now turning into a fortress of old, something Klopp was desperate to achieve when first taking over the club 12 months ago, with seven wins from their last eight matches keeping the feel-good factor alive in the red half of Merseyside. Even Man United legend Ryan Giggs admitted this week to being 'fearful' that the Red Devils' hated rivals could go all the way this season, particularly with their lack of European commitments to contend with.

It is worth pointing out that Liverpool have also had cup commitments in the opening weeks of the season, beating Burton Albion, Derby County and, most recently, Tottenham in successive rounds of the EFL Cup. They have done it with a weaker side, as evidenced by the 10 changes from that victory over Spurs in midweek, but Klopp is desperate to bring silverware to Anfield as soon as possible to ensure that the winning feel reverberates around the club. It goes without saying, though, that the top aim is to end the long-running wait for league success.

In terms of their upcoming fixtures, things are also looking rosy on that front for the Reds as they face Palace, Watford, Southampton, Sunderland, Bournemouth, West Ham and Middlesbrough over the next six weeks. There is no such thing as any easy game in the top flight, of course - unless you happen to be playing Sunderland, that is - but Klopp will see this next block of fixtures as a chance to potentially pull away at the summit heading into the midway point of the campaign.

DID YOU KNOW? Liverpool have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 10 away league games in the Premier League. Only once before have they endured a longer run than that, going 12 without a shutout on their travels in 1998. In all, the Reds have shipped eight goals in their four away games this term - a two-a-game average which must improve if they are to sustain this impressive run of form.

Could Jurgen Klopp's first full season as Liverpool manager end with the former Borussia Dortmund chief bringing the Premier League crown to Anfield for the first time? The Reds are certainly going the right way about it, winning six of their first nine games and losing just once - a 2-0 reverse at Burnley in the opening fortnight of the campaign. A long way to go yet, of course, with this trip to Selhurst Park the latest hurdle to overcome.

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So plenty of focus on Liverpool heading into this Saturday evening kickoff in South London, but what about their opponents? Palace have endured a mixed opening quarter to the season, winning three, losing four and drawing two of their first nine fixtures to find themselves camped in mid-table. With six fixtures already played today, the Eagles know that they can into ninth place with a victory here, but defeat will mean that they could end the weekend just three points above the drop zone.

At the start of play today just five points separated the teams between 15th place and fifth, showing that the chance is there for the Eagles to potentially challenge for Europe should they find some consistent form. The signing of Christian Benteke was a big step towards achieving that, with Alan Pardew's men putting together three wins on the bounce to climb the table, but since then it is three without a win and two defeats on the bounce - inconsistent to say the least.

Like Liverpool, Palace also struggle to keep clean sheets, though their poor shutout record is not restricted to just away games. It has been 14 games since they last prevented the opposition from finding the net, with their last clean sheet coming against another Merseyside outfit in Everton last April. The return of solid defender Dann in the heart of the backline may well alter that.

It should be said, however, that Palace have not conceded more than one goal in a home game in any of their last eight outings here. One appears to be the magic number, in fact, as that is the amount of times they have shipped a goal in each of their last five. That proved to be enough to earn victory for West Ham here last time out, with the Hammers scoring a deserved goal in the first half through Manuel Lanzini and then holding out for London derby bragging rights.

With exactly 10 minutes to go until kickoff at Selhurst Park, it seems like a good time to check out some pre-match comments from both camps.

Alan Pardew: "Clean sheets are a concern for all managers. We need a little more concentration to get us over the line. They will be looking for consistency now and if you catch them on the wrong day they can be very difficult. The way the league is panning out, you have to put Liverpool in contention for the title."

Jurgen Klopp: "What a player [Benteke is]. We know him best because we had him all the time in training. In all moments he showed his quality in the areas where he's really strong. He's not only good at heading but he's especially good at heading. He also has good technical skills. He's a wonderful player who is now at Palace."

Pardew acknowledging that a failure to keep clean sheets is perhaps acting as a brick wall to his side's hopes of climbing the table, and potentially even breaking into the top-six elite at some stage. The Palace boss certainly expects today's opponents to be in the mix come next May, however, claiming that the Reds are strong contenders to go one better than a few seasons ago and lift the Premier League title for the first time.

Klopp was inevitably asked about former player Benteke, meanwhile, who he let leave for just short of £30m in the summer - a transfer fee that could rise when add-ons are included. The Belgium international started well at Palace by bagging a few goals, but he has hit the post in two of his side's last outings and also missed a penalty against West Ham here last time out.

As touched upon a little earlier, Benteke certainly has proven pedigree against the Reds thanks to four goals in his previous five matches. This is also a ground that Liverpool have felt pain at in recent times, particularly in that incredible high-scoring draw in the campaign that they somehow let slip (pun intended, sorry) their lead at the top as Manchester City lifted the top-flight crown. Defeat, or indeed a draw, today will not have quite the same downward spiral, but it is important that the Reds do not crumble.

Both sets of players are now out on the field of play, with kickoff just a couple of minutes away. Two changes for Palace, remember, with Lee and Dann the two men coming in from last time out. Just the one alteration for the Reds, meanwhile, as Moreno comes in for Milner who is absent due to illness. Plenty of drama in the Premier League already today - let us hope for some more in this evening fixture!

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KICKOFF! Liverpool, sporting their all yellow strip this evening, get us up and running at Selhurst Park. The Reds are protecting a 10-match unbeaten run today, up against a Crystal Palace side without a win in four now.

In terms of previous meetings between these two sides, the last four encounters have been won by the away side - two victories for Palace and two for Liverpool. Benteke scored a winning penalty in the sixth minute of added time the last time they met here - the Reds' first triumph at Selhurst Park since 1997.

Liverpool enjoying plenty of the ball in and around the Palace box so far, but not really able to do anything with it. The Eagles forming a good defensive shape, looking to restrict this fluid opposition forward line.

Pardew will be happy enough with how the opening stages of this game are panning out, with Liverpool unable to really get in behind the hosts' backline. Going to be a long evening for the Eagles if things remain this way, though.

Coutinho is well positioned inside the box on the left but sends his shot high over the bar. Perhaps looking to catch Mandanda a little off guard there, though he attempt lacked any real precision from the difficult angle.

Zaha and Lee have not been able to get into the game in these opening 11 minutes, with Palace instead largely focusing on remaining compact at the back. Coutinho has just found one gap down the left, only for his stabbed cross to be hooked clear.

Clyne and Moreno incredibly high up the pitch at the moment, with Liverpool's most advanced three players tucking into more central positions. Palace happy to take the sting out of things when possible as they knock the ball around.

Palace put together their first attack of the match, lumping the ball towards Benteke to spring a counter. The Belgian failed to put enough pace on the lay-off for Ledley, with the midfielder's subsequent cross then cleared away.

The first shot of the evening ends with the ball in the back of the net! Liverpool have yet to really hit top gear, probing away but not asking any questions of Mandanda, but that all changed as Coutinho picked out Moreno in the box with a nice ball over the top. The Spaniard picked out Can in a central position first time, with the midfielder tucking away his first goal of the season.

One shot apiece, one goal apiece! I think that sums up these sides' defensive struggles quite well. A Mandanda punt up the field is flicked on, but all Lovren had to do was clear his lines. Instead, the Liverpool centre-back hooked the ball into the air and McArthur was able to nod over the outrushing Karius.

Incredible scenes at Selhurst Park - three attempts and three goals in the space of five minutes! Lovren, at fault for that Palace leveller, gets the better of Dann from a corner and nods the ball down the middle through the legs of Mandanda. Poor defending from the Eagles.

CHANCE! Almost a third goal for Liverpool in quick succession, as Firmino latches on to a loose ball inside the box but sees his shot brilliantly blocked aside by Dann. Looked to be heading for the bottom corner if not for the intervention.

Liverpool really closing in on a third goal now, forcing Palace near enough on their own goal line. A few decent deliveries into the box but the Eagles survive for now. A chance to breath following a thrilling start to this game!

OFF THE POST! Liverpool nearly making this dominance count, as Coutinho cuts inside from the left before laying off the overlapping Moreno, who smashes the ball against the post. It hit the outside of the post, though, with Mandanda well positioned.

The Reds very comfortable since scoring the third goal in a crazy opening quarter to this match, but there does remain just the one goal in it. Pardew will be hoping to keep things tight for as long as possible; we know that his side can score.

Moreno, the weak link in this Liverpool side, has had a very good match so far down the left. That is largely because defending is not needed for the visitors today - it is all out attack, with two goals already to show for their efforts.

I kept quiet after the third goal, but I'm calling it now - we are in for a Premier League classic at Selhurst Park. The fourth goal of the game is scored with 34 minutes on the clock, coming via James McArthur for a second time. Like the first goal, it was a well taken header - this time after Zaha stood the ball up from the rarest of attacking moves.

As dominant as Liverpool have been in this match, they rarely manage to put teams completely to bed. Palace have done so little in an attacking sense, essentially mounting just two forward moves which have both resulted in goals.

OFF THE POST! Non-stop action in this first half, which I'm sure no neutrals will want to end. A cross from the right is headed towards goal by Coutinho, but Mandanda somehow got across to help the ball on to the post. Moments later, Coutinho picked out Mane who failed to hit the target unmarked from seven yards out.

SAVE! Liverpool so dominant now, as Coutinho curls an effort towards the top right-hand corner, Mandanda saves in a more comfortable manner this time, and Palace can breath again - for now, at least! Lallana's pullback goes right across the face of goal.

Palace now showing more attacking intent, but not really asking too many questions of Karius in this Selhurst Park thriller. The last few minutes have been shot free... expect a goal to follow before the break!

Absolutely incredible! Let's start with the positives - we have seen five goals in the most thrilling of first halves. Now the negative - the defending on show this evening has been abysmal at times. Palace are yet again undone from a corner, which Matip nods in completely unmarked seven yards from goal.

We are two minutes into three added on at the end of this first half, which unfortunately has to come to an end soon. Best first half of the campaign so far in the Premier League, but will we see a more reserved approach in the second half?

And breath! Where to even begin dissecting that one. James McArthur netted twice for Crystal Palace with a little over half an hour played, yet it is visitors Liverpool who lead thanks to three goals of their own. All three came from a different source, with Joel Matip's first goal in English football effectively proving the difference at the break.

Incredibly, it took until 16 minutes into the thrilling match for the first shot of any note to arrive following a tepid display from the visitors who were happy to slowly probe away. That shot did lead to the breakthrough moment, though, as Alberto Moreno - in for James Milner in the only change from last weekend - got on the end of Philippe Countinho's ball over the top and picked out Emre Can to tuck away his first goal of the season.

Palace responded almost instantly, making the most of some poor Dejan Lovren defending as James McArthur raced in to nod the ball over Loris Karius and into the unguarded net. It was a poor goal for the visitors to concede, extending their run without a clean sheet on their travels to 11 top-flight games and setting the tone for what was to follow at either end. From the third attempt of the contest, Lovren made amends for his error instantaneously as he got the better of the returning Scott Dan to power home a header from close range.

A spell of Liverpool dominance followed, with Roberto Firmino's reverse shot heading for the bottom corner if not for a timely Dann block, while Moreno was enjoying himself down the left flank and cannoned a shot back off the post soon after. The next goal went the way of the hosts, however, as McArthur bagged his second headed goal after Wilfried Zaha stood the ball up nicely from his first - and near enough only - foray down the flank all half.

Just five minutes and 45 seconds stood between the opening three goals of the match, but there was a slightly longer wait between the next two as Joel Matip was the latest to profit from some terrible Palace defending to head home unmarked seven yards out - his first in English football and the fifth goal of an incredible half of football. Coutinho also hit the post after seeing his header brilliantly kept out by Steve Mandanda and Sadio Mane somehow missed when picked out from close range, meaning the Reds' lead remained slender when the half-time whistle sounded.

Five goals scored in the first half of a game for the first time this season but, as a neutral, let's now hope for more of the same. Will we see some changes at the break? Here is a reminder of both teams' benches.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Delaney, Fryers, Flamini, Townsend, Puncheon, Campbell

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Mignolet, Klavan, Randall, Lucas, Wijnaldum, Origi, Sturridge

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KICKOFF! Palace get us back under way at Selhurst Park. Sixty seconds into the half and I can report that we have yet to see a goal - boring! The Reds pushing high up the field already, searching for a killer fourth.

SAVE! A really good stop from Karius to deny Benteke on the spin. That resulted in a first corner of the match for the hosts, which Benteke could not quite squeeze home - good hands again from Karius. Emre Can was shown yellow moments beforehand.

Palace press high and force Karius into an error - not for the first time today. The home supporters now really getting behind their side, knowing that the Reds - for all their dominance - are there for the taking with 40 minutes to go.

A cross from via Ward on the right appeared to be overhit as it ended over the bar, but the officials awarded a corner after seeing a nick from Karius on its way through. Liverpool defend it well, with Palace unable to showcase their set-piece skills.

Seventeen set-piece goals conceded by Liverpool since Klopp took charge a year ago, while Palace also know how to score from corners. Both their goals have come from open play so far, both via the head of McArthur.

SAVE! Superb ball from Coutinho, who really is a different class. Mane is the man to profit on the Brazilian's sixth sense, but he cannot beat Mandanda when through on goal. Not the easiest of chance, with the angle slightly against him.

SHOT! Benteke with his first real chance from open play of the match is squandered, as he failed to wrap his foot around it and instead gave Karius a simple task of keeping it out. Palace showing far more attacking intent now.

CHANCE! Palace are now looking the brighter side, with Liverpool holding on a little. A huge moment in the match, as Zaha is sent crashing by Lovren. Replays show that the ref got it right, with Zaha going down too easily, while Cabaye could not quite prod the loose ball home.

Both managers surely thinking about making a change or two now, with more than an hour of this match played. There is no chance this one is ending at 3-2, with Coutinho's overhead kick lacking the precision from Liverpool's attack to keep it at five goals for now.

YELLOW CARD! Cabaye is shown a yellow card for his challenge on the tricky Coutinho. Andros Townsend looks ready to join the action, but Klopp is still biding his time before change things around slightly.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUB! Andros Townsend replaces the largely ineffective Lee in the first alteration of the evening. Some extra width provided, with Benteke being given little chance to really attack crosses into the box thus far.

Palace playing some nice football in this second half, again patiently building but Benteke's pass to Ward on the right was lax. The cross did eventually come in but it was easily dealt with, as Liverpool continue to do more defending than attacking.

The Reds' momentum is slipping away more and more by the minute at Selhurst Park. A pivotal moment in this match, and potentially in the title race, with Klopp possibly tempted to make that first sub as we hit the 70-minute mark.

Zaha again bundles over inside the box, this time by Can, but again he goes down far too easily. Home fans furious but Zaha just had to stay on his feet there and look to pick out a simple cross. Palace really closing on another equaliser.

Breathing space for Liverpool - at last! They have been second best in this second half, in truth, but a superb Henderson through-ball allowed Firmino to simply lift the ball over Mandanda and surely wrap up the points in what has been an enthralling contest.

Palace didn't exactly deserve a goal in the first half, let alone two, but they have certainly worked hard in this second period and are unlucky to be 1-0 down since the restart. Zaha powers an effort on goal which Karius parries away.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUB! We await Liverpool's first change, but Pardew has now rolled the dice for a second time. Puncheon is on in place of Ledley to provide some more attacking energy in the middle of the park.

LIVERPOOL SUB! Wijnaldum is now on for Lallana in a like-for-like change in midfield. Fresh legs key for Liverpool know, with Klopp fully aware that a Palace goal changes the complexion completely heading into the closing stages.

SAVE! Coutinho finds himself in some space inside the box but has his effort kept out by Mandanda. The Frenchman has not had a particularly bad evening thus far, yet he has shipped four with 10 minutes still to play.

Liverpool with a small penalty shout for handball which is not given - rightly so. Around seven minutes to go now in South London and, for pretty much the first time all match, this one is now petering out with Palace knowing that they face an almighty task to rescue something.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUB! McArthur leaves the field to a great applause, though his two first-half goals will count for nothing. Fraizer Campbell the man on in his place, with Palace now five minutes away from making it four without a win.

A real ferocious drive from Puncheon, which was always rising and failed to test Karius in the end. Klopp still has a couple of subs available to use should he wish in the remainder, with the defensive-minded Lucas an option.

LIVERPOOL SUB! Coutinho leaves the field to a heroes' applause from those travelling supporters in one section of Selhurst Park, replaced by Divock Origi. A chance for the Belgian to join the scoresheet, with four minutes of added time to come.

Zaha looks to pick out Campbell but the move does not quite come off. The Eagles desperate for that seventh goal of the night, though it does not look likely to arrive now with just three minutes to go in South London.

LIVERPOOL SUB! Klopp being very wise with his staggered subs, bringing on Ragnar Klavan in his final alteration in place of Mane. Sixty seconds or so left to play at Selhurst Park in a game that has petered out.

Referee Andre Marriner brings the game to a close, meaning that Liverpool are back level on points with Arsenal and Manchester City at the Premier League summit. James McArthur had twice pegged the Reds back in the first half after Emre Can and Dejan Lovren had found a way through, but Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren secured the points for the visitors to make it 11 games without a defeat now.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Selhurst Park, but be sure to check out this on-the-whistle report before heading off. Reaction aplenty from all of the day's Premier League action will also follow over the coming hours. Thanks for joining!