Ahmer Murad:, external Dream start for Liverpool! Superb first touch and a great finish! That goal must have meant so much for Rickie Lambert.

Prince Gyimah:, external Where would Mario Balotelli have been for that sumptuous pass from Adam Lallana?

Mickey Somiah:, external All down to the Southampton connection. What a peach of a pass from Lallana to Lambert.

Liverpool's fans are in full voice after that opener.

"Poetry in Motion," they are claiming. It is a bit early for that perhaps.

Image source, AFP

BBC Radio London 94.9

Former QPR striker Bradley Allen: "A magnificent goal from Rickie Lambert. Martin Kelly switched off, but you have to say Lambert finished that brilliantly."

The Southampton connection comes good for Liverpool.

Rickie Lambert darts in behind former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly, Adam Lallana spots the run and picks him out with a pinpoint floated throughball.

Lambert's first touch kills the ball, his second, off the outside of his left peg, slides it past Julian Speroni.

Image source, AFP

Up and running. Raheem Sterling looks like he has a central role behind Rickie Lambert from Liverpool's early shape.

Fifty-five minutes into their last visit to Selhurst Park, Liverpool fans were dreaming.

Luis Suarez, having just put his side 3-0, ran to retrieve the ball from the net. Manchester City, now only six superior in terms of goal difference, were in their sights. The Reds' first title in 24 years was still possible despite a gut-wrenching defeat to Chelsea a week before.

A little over half an hour later and the visitors were plunged into a nightmare.

Liverpool to kick off...

The rain has not put off the Crystal Palace cheerleaders, who continue to strut their stuff with grins in place despite the mizzle.

Time to see if the Palace first team can match that professionalism.

The two sides have just emerged from the corner of the ground. Palace already stripped down to shirt sleeves, Liverpool wrapped up in trackie tops.

Image source, PA

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers on Sky Sports: "Rickie Lambert's earned the right to have a period of games. Today is an opportunity for him. Rickie is the type of striker that needs a run of games. Mario Balotelli is missing with a groin problem that kept him out of the Italian squad. We haven't scored anywhere near the goals we'd like."

On last year's 3-3 at Selhurst Park towards the end of the season: "I've banished memories. People look at that game as the one that cost us the title, but it was game before. Disappointing the way it ended, but I didn't think it was the game that dictated where the season went."

On Palace: "They are a difficult team to beat. They defend well and have really honest players. They showed great resilience last year. They have a lot of quality and play the game on the counter. Yannick Bolasie is a talent and Jason Puncheon has a great left foot. Palace have got pace that can penetrate behind."

Benji, Surrey: Fans have stuck with Rodgers but we will start to see that change if Liverpool lose today. Dangerous team selection leaving out Toure after his heroic performance in Madrid, and in light of Lovren's poor start. and again with Can after his great game against Chelsea - Allen has been poor recently. Could backfire quickly for Rodgers today.

Graeme, now in Leeds: Re Adam Matt in Leicester. I can give you twenty million reasons why Rogers persists with Lovren.

Augustus Waiters:, external Can only think that Emre Can is getting rest for Champions League. Otherwise, it makes no sense to leave him out.

Image source, PA

A slide tackle by the touchline today could see you end up in the lap of a fan in the front row.

It has been chucking it down this morning in London. The rain has eased off now, but it will certainly take a stud.

So, Lionel Messi broke the Spanish La Liga goalscoring record on Saturday when he scored a hat-trick for Barcelona against Sevilla.

It took the Argentine's tally to a mere 253 - and all this at the age of just 27.

We've put together a piece looking at how Messi has scored his goals (blue goals are left foot, right in green and red with his head) - please do check it out.

Dan in Edinburgh: Emre Can's reward for playing well against Chelsea is to get dropped. Our best left-back is on the bench and our worst defender starts there. Not sure what Brendan Rodgers is playing at.

Neil Warnock and Brendan Rodgers have reason to be glum.

Palace have taken just one point from the last 15 on offer in the Premier League - a run that features defeats against Manchester United, Sunderland, Chelsea and Hull.

Only twice have Liverpool had fewer points at this stage of a Premier League season, back in 1992-93 and 2012-13.

Image source, PA

At the bottom of each BBC story, we include some links to other relevant videos and bits of news.

Beneath the Crystal Palace v Liverpool match preview, the following appears:

Fair to say neither manager is thumping the drum ahead of this one...

MOTD2 Extra

Discussing Hull v Tottenham which is live on BBC Radio 5 live.

Former Republic of Ireland, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "Hull have been on quite a bad run of form and not been getting results. They'll target this one and see themselves getting a win."

Match of the Day commentator Steve Bower: "Spurs have changed that many managers. They definitely need to win today and get moving up table. This manager is the one owner Daniel Levy will stick with."

Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft: "The hiring of new head of recruitment Paul Mitchell this suggests they are backing manager Mauricio Pochettino long term."

MOTD2 Extra

Discussing England's women v Germany women at Wembley this afternoon.

Former Republic of Ireland, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "As a one-off game it will be difficult for them. I think it's more the hype surrounding it. However, I think once the players settle down and get that initial spell in the game over with it will become easier."

Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft: "There's a real freshness about the England camp. They are all excited about it. There's a lot of experience about that team and plenty of players who can rise to the occasion. If they can put in a performance in that game there might be an appetite for more."

MOTD2 Extra

Discussing Wigan owner Dave Whelan who is being investigated by the FA over comments about Jewish and Chinese people.

Former Wiagn midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "I know Dave Whelan. He used to come in and go around the training ground. I don't believe he's racist. From these findings he said if he's found guilty he'll walk away. To hand the reins to his grandson would be early. Probably long term he sees his grandson David as his long-term successor."

Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft: "The FA have a headache of how to punish him if he's found guilty. Can you ban an owner? They would struggle to find the right punishment. He would punish himself if found guilty by quitting, but the FA would need to set a precedent."

Whelan has denied being racist. In an interview with ITV News, Whelan added that he does not expect to be found guilty because "I'm absolutely anti-racist, always have been, always will be".

Image source, PA