A clinical Liverpool guaranteed they will be No 1 at Christmas with a 7-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Takumi Minamino showed good feet before finding the bottom corner after three minutes for his first Premier League goal.
Palace responded but could not get the goal they deserved and Sadio Mane’s sharp turn and finish doubled Liverpool’s advantage on 35 minutes.
The champions took full control in the 44th minute, with Roberto Firmino controlling Andy Robertson’s pass before poking the ball in.
Jordan Henderson curled in a fourth after the interval before Firmino dinked the ball over Vicente Guaita for his second.
Substitute Mohamed Salah scored a quick-fire brace, including a fantastic second, as Liverpool recorded their biggest Premier League away win.
They are six points clear of Tottenham Hotspur, who host Leicester City tomorrow.
Palace stay 12th, with 18 points.