Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah each netted twice in a scoring masterclass as the visitors thrashed Crystal Palace 7-0 to record their first away win in the Premier League since September.

It marked the first time the Reds had won away in the top-flight by a margin of seven goals and this was their biggest league victory since they hammered Palace 9-0 at Anfield in 1989 when they won the old top-flight First Division title.

The result put the defending champions on 31 points after 14 games ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who host Leicester City on Sunday.

Japanese midfielder Takumi Minamino repaid Juergen Klopp’s decision to start him instead of Salah by scoring after just over two minutes and Sadio Mane then made it two when he twisted and fired home from the edge of the box in the 35th.

Firmino added a third just before the break, flicking home to finish off a glorious Liverpool counter-attack that swept the length of the field, and Jordan Henderson added a fourth seven minutes into the second half as Palace fell apart.

Firmino got his second with a brilliant chipped effort in the 68th and Salah came on to net with a header before superbly curling a shot into the top corner five minutes from time.

Liverpool boss Klopp was delighted with his side’s dazzling performance in front of goal at Selhurst Park.

“Our finishing in the first half was clinical. Then 3-0 up at half-time the game is not finished but we controlled the game and scored wonderful goals,” he said.

“Christmas will be good, but the season is not finished, there are a few games to come but we will be ready,” Klopp added.

Henderson praised his side’s efforts in front of goal but despite the dominant display and the margin of victory, the midfielder said his side could still improve.

Sterling on target

Manchester City closed the gap on the Premier League top four after Raheem Sterling’s first-half goal proved enough to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Southampton at St Mary’s. After a spell of constant pressure, City broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Kevin De Bruyne’s cross from the right wing found Sterling, who slotted the ball past Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.