Henderson reveals Liverpool's second-half plan to beat Crystal Palace

Shai Khullar
31st March 2018

Liverpool captain revealed that increasing the tempo and maintaining belief in their ability to breakdown Roy Hodgson's side formed Liverpool's successful second-half plan against Crystal Palace.

's side were behind at the break at Selhurst Park, with Luka Milivojevic's penalty being the difference between the two sides, following an opening 45 minutes that saw Sadio Mane have a goal disallowed and a penalty appeal denied.

However the Reds regrouped after the interval in south London and were subsequently level within four minutes of the second-half, as Mane finished from 's assist.

Despite Palace having their fair share of chances, it was who struck for the 37th time this season during the last ten minutes to seal victory for Klopp's side.

More: Palace 1-2 LFC - Highlights

Henderson acknowledged he and his teammates were below par on Saturday, but was happy with the adjustments his side made to seal a crucial in the race for the top four.

The skipper, when asked what the players wanted to achieve in the second-half, replied: “[To] move the ball quicker, keep going, keep getting the ball into the box and creating chances because we know we can score goals.

“We were still full of belief at half-time that we could turn things around and I think that showed in the second half.

“I didn't think we were at our best today but when you are not playing at your best you've got to keep going and find a way, and I thought we did that brilliantly. We kept going second half and found a way to win.”

Salah's winner concluded a fine Liverpool move, which involved substitute switching play to full-back who picked out the Egyptian inside the box.

“It was brilliant play actually. It was a great ball by Robbo,” Henderson added.

“And then when it falls to him you are thinking, ‘it's hitting the back of the net'. Thankfully, he keeps going and he keeps getting the goal for us and another important goal to move us up.”

More: Palace 1-2 LFC - Photos

Reuters/PA

Despite Liverpool's dynamic trio of Mane, Salah and scoring a combined 75 goals this season, Henderson explained the rest of the side had to do their bit to contain a dangerous Palace attack.

“With those three up top you know you are going to create and you are going to get chances and score goals,” added the skipper.

“We just needed to make sure we had protection because they were dangerous on the counter-attack with the players they have got.

“There are still a lot of things we can do better but I thought we reacted well in a difficult situation in a difficult place to come, and coming back from international duty.

“Putting all that into consideration I thought we handled that brilliantly in the end and found a way to win.”

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