The best photos as Liverpool thump Crystal Palace in record-breaking win

Liverpool were back to their barnstorming best in a ruthless display at Selhurst Park, pummeling Crystal Palace 7-0 to sit, at least temporarily, six points clear at the Premier League summit.

Talk about an early Christmas present, Reds.

Trips to meet Crystal Palace have always been tainted by that day back in 2014 despite the fact Liverpool had not lost in the last six meetings home and away.

It was an occasion where capitalising on the midweek victory was crucial, where a third successive Christmas at the top was on the line.

The occasion saw Liverpool’s past and present meet, with Roy Hodgson at the helm for Crystal Palace – but after just three minutes, there was only going to be one winner.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 19, 2020: Liverpool's Takumi Minamino scores the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Takumi Minamino found the net first to get the party started after feinting a shot before rifling the ball into the corner, his first in the Premier League.

And his teammates rightly swarmed him after the momentous moment.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 19, 2020: Liverpool's Takumi Minamino celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 19, 2020: Liverpool's Takumi Minamino celebrates with team-mates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It was just the start, but Reds had to wait 32 minutes for the next – which came off the boot of Sadio Mane, who no doubt lingers in the nightmares of Palace defenders.

Incredibly, it was the seventh successive goal in seven games against the Eagles.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 19, 2020: Liverpool's Sadio Mané celebrates after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Not to be outdone, Roberto Firmino backed up his midweek winner with two eye-catching goals in a Man of the Match display, with the Brazilian back to his brilliant best.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 19, 2020: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the fifth goal during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 19, 2020: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates with team-mates after scoring the fifth goal during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The skipper was grateful for the awareness of Trent Alexander-Arnold after kickstarting the scoring in the second half.

The outside of the box finish was exquisite and it heralded his first of the campaign after another performance worthy of adulation.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 19, 2020: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson (R) celebrates with team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold after scoring the fourth goal during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Mohamed Salah would finish the romp despite starting from the bench, needing only three minutes to hit Palace twice.

The first was instinctual, the second simply stunning as he took his season tally to 16 across all competitions.

Within all of that, however, was the welcome sight of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain making his return to the pitch for the first time since the final game of the 2019/20 season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 19, 2020: Liverpool's substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain embraces Roberto Firmino as he comes on during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Overall, it was a performance to behold and one which saw Klopp’s men add more records to their name in addition to establishing a bigger buffer at the top of the table.

It what was both the club’s biggest ever Premier League win but also their biggest away win in the top-flight in 106 years.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 19, 2020: Liverpool's Sadio Mané (R) celebrates with team-mate Roberto Firmino after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It marks another early Christmas present, with the Reds having now been positioned at the top of the tree on Christmas Day for three years in a row.

Liverpool can now sit back and watch results unfold elsewhere before getting back to business in front of 2,000 Reds against West Brom at Anfield on December 27.