Fabinho scored a sensational goal as Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 4-0 to move within two points of securing the Premier League title.
It was the hosts who created all the early pressure – and Wijnaldum was left clutching his head in his hands when he skewed wide inside the area from Andros Townsend’s wayward attempted clearance.
Jordan Henderson then scooped high into the Anfield Road end from a decent opening before Roberto Firmino’s exchange with Mane resulted in the former having a low drive saved by Wayne Hennessey.
Palace were dealt an early blow, too, when Wilfried Zaha hobbled from the field with 16 minutes on the clock.
And the Reds’ pressure finally told midway through the first half. Alexander-Arnold delightfully curved a free-kick over the wall and into the corner of the goal from 25 yards to reward the early dominance.
Liverpool went close to furthering their advantage on 28 minutes, but Henderson’s instant return from a half-cleared free-kick cannoned against the base of the post.
Wijnaldum swiped wide of the upright soon after and Salah couldn’t direct an intercepted clearance by Hennessey into the unguarded goal, while Max Meyer drilled wide at the other end for Palace.
However, the Eagles’ resistance was broken for a second time just before the interval. Fabinho lofted a ball into the path of Salah’s dart into the area from the right. The Egyptian used his chest to control and knock it into space before steering in.
The Brazil midfielder went from creator to scorer 10 minutes after the restart. He took aim from distance and rasped a cleanly-struck effort into the corner to make it 3-0 to Liverpool.
After Wijnaldum and Salah had gone close, Liverpool did grab a fourth through Mane.
Firmino and Salah exchanged passes on halfway before the latter sent his fellow forward through on goal, with the No.10 finding the corner with an unerring finish.
Liverpool move to 86 points, 23 above Manchester City with eight matches left for their nearest rivals.
The Reds will be confirmed as Premier League champions if Pep Guardiola’s side fail to win at Chelsea on Thursday.
Photo Credit: premierleague.com