On a day when all three of the Premier League’s pacesetters flexed their attacking muscles, Liverpool relied on their own lust for goals to turn a potentially awkward contest into a celebration of blistering intent.

Crystal Palace contributed to a captivating encounter, twice pegging back Liverpool as they endeavoured to contain the surges from the away team – no mean feat – but Jürgen Klopp’s team were in one of those moods where they ooze goals. Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino showcased bewitching skills. Sadio Mané should have helped himself to a strike or two himself. There was so much forward momentum it was not unreasonable to forget they even had Daniel Sturridge back waiting in those familiar wings.

As it was, the selection comprised a team goal based on slick passing, two set pieces and a sumptuous lob. All very tasty from Klopp’s perspective. He might well wonder about eradicating some of the defensive wobbles. But that is a poser for another day. Playing like this, Liverpool can be confident that if the opposition score, they will simply outscore them. They extended their dazzling run, picking up their sixth win from their last seven Premier League games and had verve to burn.

“Sorry for this boring performance,” Klopp quipped at the end of it all. Then he acknowledged that while the inherent characteristics of his team help them to overcome defensive deficiencies he would sooner have a little more cool control. “We cannot strike back every day, but we are good enough to find a solution in situations like this,” he said. “But since I am at Liverpool I am happy with the character of my boys.”

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It still seems unfeasibly early to be stoking up a title-chase narrative before Halloween, but such is the bunched-up nature at the top, all eyes turned to Liverpool after Arsenal and then Manchester City swept to three emphatically won points earlier in the day. What ensued, in a helter-skelter match, was extraordinary. Goals always seemed likely given the encouragement Klopp gives his forwards to raid in a high-energy pack coupled with Crystal Palace’s clean sheet allergy this season.

From the 16th to the 21st minute it rained goals. Liverpool went ahead when the vibrant Coutinho’s scooped pass fell to Alberto Moreno, who hooked the ball back across goal. Emre Can arrived unmarked and his shot ricocheted in.

Perhaps some of smoke from the firecrackers hurled from the away end got in Dejan Lovren’s eye, as there was no obvious explanation for the undercooked back pass which gifted Palace a route back into the game. James McArthur was on hand to score with a clever header, nudging the ball instinctively over the onrushing Loris Karius.

The irresistible law of making up for painful mistakes ensured Lovren took centre stage again three minutes later. When Liverpool won a corner he was on point to beat his marker Scott Dann, thumping his team back into the lead with a header.

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Liverpool’s threat bubbled constantly. The thirst for goals throughout the team is obvious and there could have been more as Firmino’s attempt was blocked by Joel Ward, Moreno struck a post and Mané scooped over with a free shot.

In the spirit of the goal glut, Palace responded. Christian Benteke glanced the ball to Wilfried Zaha, whose inviting cross was met by none other than McArthur. Having already patted his head in astonishment after his first goal, he was at it again after nipping ahead of Lovren to steer in another equaliser.

The heading contest was far from over. The crowd were almost confounded by disbelief as yet another looked goalbound – this time from Coutinho – only for Steve Mandanda to scramble the ball superbly on to the frame of the goal.

It came as no surprise when Liverpool duly did the deed again. Just before half‑time Coutinho delivered a corner for Joël Matip to meet with full power. Pardew lamented that the game was “a bit too open for us against a side as good as they are”, which was an honest enough appraisal.

Coutinho was at the heart of so much that was positive about Liverpool. Klopp rightly enthused about how much effort he puts in: “He is 24. His work rate is outstanding. You cannot be a genius every day so you have to be a proper football player. That is how the boys are.”

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Palace returned after the restart intent on coming back into it again. Benteke was dominant (Klopp intriguingly described his performance as “warm”), taking aim at Karius’s goal on a number of occasions. Zaha looked plaintively at the referee as he bid for a couple of penalties but Andre Marriner was unmoved. Pardew gave a diplomatic answer when quizzed about Zaha’s appeals but was steadfast in defending his player’s need to avoid an obstacle at speed.

After one of the penalty shouts, the game swung suddenly, brilliantly, down to the other end. Jordan Henderson spotted Firmino’s run and found him with a superb forward pass. The Brazilian lobbed Mandanda with beautiful precision. The shirt twirling celebration was worth it.