** Liverpool have an important new weapon in their armoury in their campaign to reclaim the Premier League crown: set pieces.

All their goals in the hard-fought 3-0 defeat of Crystal Palace at Anfield came this way. Jurgen Klopp’s reward for specialised work on the training ground was in seeing Sadio Mane score his 100th goal for the club, Mohamed Salah his 99th league goal to mark his 150th appearance and Naby Keita a first goal for 14 months.

Mane’s goal lifted him level with Kevin Keegan on 100 club goals. He also became the first player in Premier League history to score against the same opponents in nine consecutive matches, beating Robin van Persie’s eight in a row against Stoke for Arsenal then Manchester United.

Patrick Vieira’s Eagles challenged for every ball. They hit a post in the opening exchanges and substitute Odsonne Edouard missed a clear chance to equalise midway through the second half.

Mane punished them for their generosity in the 43rd minute. He concluded a well-worked corner routine after Salah drew the defence and glanced a header across the box for the Senegalese to score.

Salah extended Liverpool’s lead in the 78th minute after Virgil van Dijk, this time, had drawn the defenders’ attention at a left-wing corner. Keita then volleyed the third goal two minutes from time after Palace keeper Vicente Guaita punched a corner to the edge of the penalty box where the midfielder was waiting to pounce.

Liverpool worked hard on set-pieces during pre-season in Evian with mental strength coaches Niklas Hausler and Patrick Hantschke. Their company, neuro11, specialises in brain training among athletes and the results are evident.

Assistant manager Pep Lijnders said: “Niklas and Patrick did some unique work with some of our takers of free-kicks and penalties. They give the right input for players to find the right frame of mind and this brings more accuracy.”

This extra accuracy took Liverpool, temporarily at least, top of the table for the first time since January 4.

Liverpool had made six changes from the starting line-up in Wednesday’s exciting Champions League win against AC Milan. Ibrahima Konaté settled in well after an uncertain start in a back four which had never played together. He was well supported by James Milner who took over at right back after Trent Alexander-Arnold had been taken ill in the morning.

Klopp said: “We were not brilliant but we were good. We accepted the battle Crystal Palace were here for. It was one of the most hard-fought 3:0s ever.

“What Sadio has done is exceptional. Nowadays players are not normally as long at clubs so I am really happy I could work so long with him. As for Naby – wow, he scored the most wonderful of our goals.”

##########