Liverpool were at times nervy, careless and grateful that their former striker Christian Benteke’s confidence is at rock bottom on their visit to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

They were also victorious, warming up for Wednesday’s crunch clash with champions-elect Manchester City with a late 2-1 win against Roy Hodgson’s side thanks to goals from Sadio Mane – who was lucky to escape a red card here – and, of course, Mo Salah.

At 1-1, Jurgen Klopp threw on England internationals Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in an attempt to chase the game but the former only lasted a matter of minutes before being forced off by injury.

Many fans might have expected the German to throw on Danny Ings to replace Lallana but Klopp opted for Dejan Lovren, moving to a back three and allowing his full-backs to push on.

The change had a profound effect on right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold but one man who took even greater advantage, setting up the winning goal for Salah, was Andy Robertson on the other side.

106 touches is testament to how heavily the Scotsman was involved in the game, even before the tactical switch and he was not scared to carry the ball, taking on three dribbles.

He persisted with seven crosses to pepper a Palace defence that was getting ever deeper and was eventually rewarded with that late assist.

Two key passes show that he is a weapon that can create chances for Klopp’s men. Robertson will have to be at his best to help Liverpool keep out City over two legs but he will also drag Raheem Sterling back the other way.

Robertson is absolutely rampant right now.

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