Liverpool enjoyed the best of the early exchanges but fell behind to a Fraizer Campbell strike after 15 minutes, when the striker finished after Simon Mignolet could only punch Dwight Gayle’s header to the feet of Campbell.
Liverpool should have levelled a few minutes later but Lallana failed to cap a fine move as his snapshot was saved well by Julian Speroni from point blank range.
The Reds should have won a penalty before the break when Daniel Sturridge was tripped by Palace debutant Pape Souare, but Sturridge’s moment came just after the break.
Latching onto Jordan Henderson’s superb cross, Sturridge volleyed under Speroni to level.
Mario Balotelli came off the bench and made an almost immediate impact, winning and taking the free-kick that led to the winning goal, which Lallana tapped in from close-range after Speroni couldn’t handle the force of Balotelli’s effort.
KEY MOMENTS
15’ - GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Liverpool. Campbell scores for Palace! Jedinak's long ball causes panic at the pack for Liverpool as Gayle's header is punched clear only to Campbell, who cushions it into the net. 1-0 Palace!
22’ - BIG MISS! Good one-touch play by Liverpool in the Palace box as Henderson finds Lallana, whose snap shot from 10 yards is saved very well by Speroni.
31’ - PENALTY? Liverpool have a good claim for a penalty. Sturridge appears to be tripped in the box but nothing is given. Definite contact between Souare and Sturridge.
42’ - BIG SAVE! Mignolet makes a vital stop from Gayle, who improvises well to knock the ball into his path after it deflected off Skrtel, but Mignolet is quick off his line to smother Gayle's shot. Vital stop, that.
49’ - GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Liverpool. Sturridge scores for Liverpool! Henderson clips a beautiful pass into the path of Sturridge, who volleys first-time under Speroni. Lovely finish.
58’ - GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool. Lallana makes it 2-1 to Liverpool! Balotelli's powerful low free-kick goes through the wall and Speroni can only spill it to Lallana, who scores on the rebound.
KEY STATS
Daniel Sturridge has now scored 10 goals in his last 12 FA Cup starts.
Liverpool have only kept three clean sheets in their last 20 FA Cup games.
Jordan Henderson has reached 10 assists in all competitions this season, more than any other Liverpool player.
TALKING POINT
Has Balotelli turned the corner? After a wretched start to life at Liverpool, things finally seem to be looking up for the Italian. A winning goal against Spurs broke his Premier League duck and he came off the bench to great effect here, winning and taking the free-kick that led to the winning goal.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Adam Lallana (Liverpool): Henderson, Mignolet and Balotelli all played their part in another solid performance from Liverpool, but Lallana was at his effervescent best and capped his display with the winning goal.
PLAYER RATINGS
Crystal Palace: Speroni 7, Kelly 6, Dann 7, Hengeland 6, Souare 7, Ward 6, Ledley 7, Bolasie 7, Gayle 8, Chamakh 6, Campbell 7. Subs: Zaha 6, Guedioura 7, Puncheon 7.
Liverpool: Mignolet 8, Skrtel 7, Can 7, Sakho 7, Allen 6, Henderson 8, Moreno 6, Markovic 6, Coutinho 6, Lallana 8, Sturridge 7. Subs: Balotelli 8, Lovren N/A, Lambert N/A.
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