PLAYER RATINGS: Firmino and Mane rampant for seven-goal Liverpool

Liverpool will be at the top of the Premier League table at Christmas following a crushing 7-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

Roberto Firmino and substitute Mohamed Salah scored twice for Jurgen Klopp's men, with further strikes from Sadio Mane, Takumi Minamino and Jordan Henderson coming in a breathtaking display.

The rout also saw the reigning Premier League champions become the league's top scorers, and here Sportsmail rates the performances from both sides.

CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-1-1):

Vicente Guaita - 6

Powerless to prevent any of the goals. Otherwise barely given a save to make as Liverpool were so clinical

Nathaniel Clyne – 5

Decent attacking outlet at times but the Palace back four could not cope when Liverpool hit their groove.

Cheikhou Kouyate – 5

Needed to be tighter on Mane for opener, allowed Firmino to ghost in behind him for third. Difficult day all round.

Gary Cahill – 5.5

Seemed to pick up a late injury which capped a miserable, chastening day for Palace.

Patrick van Aanholt – 5.5

Always a willing runner going forward. But the damage was done at the other end as Alexander-Arnold found more and more joy.

Jeffrey Schlupp – 6

Proved a nuisance during Palace's good first half but spurned the only chance which came his way.

Luka Milivojevic – 5.5

Found Zaha in space with a few cute passes as Palace enjoyed lots of first-half pressure but faded as his team did

James McArthur – 5.5

Diligent and useful as ever. But overworked as Liverpool's midfield three took control in second half.

Eberechi Eze - 6

Did a lot of unselfish defensive work but Palace couldn't find him in space often enough to threaten.

Wilfried Zaha – 6

A spectator in the second half but had been a threat during Palace's bright first half.

Jordan Ayew – 5

Dummied one shooting opportunity, then failed to find Zaha when in behind. Fabinho took another chance off his toes.

Subs:

Tomkins (Kouyate 63) – Some task trying to stem the tide. 5.5

Riedewald (McArthur 75) – Came on to watch the procession. 6

Batshuayi (Eze, 69) - It's an appearance. That's about all he will take from this. 5

Subs not used: Butland, Ward, Dann, Townsend, McCarthy, Mitchell

Manager: Roy Hodgson - 5

Will wonder, given his side's first-half display, how it ended 7-0. But they were taught a lesson in taking chances.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3):

Alisson – 6

Despite Palace enjoying good spells in the first half, the Brazilian barely had a save to make.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7

Beautiful pass into Mane created opener before he laid on Henderson's fourth, too. Palace targeted space behind him but he turned tables in second half.

Joel Matip – 7.5

Testament to him that he went largely unnoticed. Commanded the back four and then fed Salah for Liverpool's sixth.

Fabinho – 7

Stood up Zaha brilliantly early on before Ayew brushed him off to run clear. Still raw at times but so useful with the ball.

Andy Robertson – 7.5

Had been quiet going forward until he created Liverpool's third with a buccaneering run and pinpoint pass to Firmino. Grew as a threat.

Jordan Henderson – 8

Deafening in an empty stadium. Constantly barking instructions and dictating play. Capped fine display with stunning fourth.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 6

Struggled to make much headway with or without the ball but a tidy link player nonetheless. Had better days.

Naby Keita – 7

Struggled to keep the ball at times during the first half but grew into the game. Brilliant vision and pass created Henderson's fourth.

Takumi Minanimo – 7

Took opening goal calmly to set Liverpool on course for victory. Quieter thereafter but missed a glorious chance to double his tally.

Roberto Firmino – 8

Took his two goals brilliantly. Superb vision, touch and coolness for Liverpool's third. Delightful dinked finish for the fifth. Excellent all-round display.

Sadio Mane - 8

Always threatening in behind and deadly in the box. Found Minamino for opening goal before his own stunning finish to give visitors breathing space.

Subs:

Salah (Mane, 57) – Didn't look best pleased to be on the bench but created the fifth before netting the sixth and seventh. Some impact. 8

Jones (Wijnaldum 69) – Won't have much easier run-outs but continued to display his neat feet. 6.5

Oxlade-Chamberlain (Firmino 75) Fed Salah for Liverpool's seventh but enjoying game time was most crucial. 6.5

Subs not used: Adrian, Kelleher, Origi, R Williams, Phillips, N Williams

Manager: Jurgen Klopp – 8

The perfect day? Salah enjoyed a well-earned break, no injuries and a stunning end to their winless run away from home.