Crystal Palace 2โ1 Liverpool: Selhurst Park Ends the Streak
Liverpoolโs unbeaten run was always destined to end, but few imagined it would happen hereโunder the Selhurst Park floodlights, against a fearless Crystal Palace side. Arne Slotโs Reds arrived in London unbeaten in 17 games, brimming with confidence, only to leave with their first loss under the new manager.
On a night of chaos, controversy, and unforgettable moments, it was Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah who carved their names into Palace folklore, delivering a seismic 2โ1 victory that sent shockwaves through the Premier League.
Palace Strike First
From the outset, Palace played without fear. They pressed high, attacked in waves, and forced Alisson Becker into action almost immediately. Liverpoolโso often the huntersโwere instead hunted.
The opener came from a disputed corner. Ryan Gravenberchโs poor clearance fell straight to Sarr, who hammered home from close range. Selhurst Park erupted. Liverpool protested the decision, but the scoreboard didnโt care: Palace 1โ0 Liverpool.
Alisson vs. Palace
What followed was 20 minutes of Alisson against the world. The Brazilian made a string of stunning savesโdenying Pino, Muรฑoz, and Matetaโto keep Liverpool alive. Time and again, he spread himself wide, clawed shots from impossible angles, and carried the Reds on his back.
Without him, the contest would have been over by half-time.
Liverpool Fight Back
Liverpoolโs outfield players struggled. Salah was anonymous, Wirtz wasted his golden chance, and Isak remained goal-shy. Slot turned to his benchโintroducing Chiesa, Jones, and Gakpo in search of salvation.
It came, briefly, through Federico Chiesa. Exploiting a Palace error, the Italian cut inside and slotted home, silencing Selhurst Park. VAR checks for a Salah handball added late drama, but the goal stood. Liverpool had equalised.
For a moment, the old script seemed ready to play out: Palace heroic but heartbroken, Liverpool snatching something late.
Nketiah Breaks Liverpool Hearts
But football rarely reads the script. Deep into stoppage time, Palace launched one final attack. A long throw caused panic, the ball fell to Eddie Nketiah, and the striker lashed home in the 98th minute.
Bedlam. The stands shook. Players and staff spilled onto the pitch. Palace had done itโthey had beaten Liverpool, and in unforgettable style.
Ratings and Reactions
- Man of the Match: Alisson. Heroic despite defeat.
- Flop of the Night: Florian Wirtz. Wasteful and withdrawn early.
- Palace Heroes: Sarr relentless, Guehi a rock, Henderson calm, Nketiah decisive.
Arne Slotโs decisionsโdeploying Wirtz wide, persisting with Isakโwill face scrutiny. Liverpool looked blunt, disjointed, and reliant on individual brilliance.
For Palace, this was more than three points. It was a statement, the end of Liverpoolโs run, and a reminder that Selhurst Park remains one of footballโs great graveyards of giants.
What It Means
Liverpool will recoverโhistory says they always do. But cracks were exposed: Salahโs quiet night, Isakโs struggles, Wirtzโs slow adaptation, and a defence reliant on Alissonโs brilliance.
For Palace, it was the perfect storm. They not only beat the leagueโs form team, but they announced themselves as contenders for more than mid-table comfort.
Final Whistle:
This was not just a defeat. It was a turning point.
The night Alisson performed miracles but still lost.
The night Chiesaโs goal wasnโt enough.
The night Nketiah broke Liverpoolโs hearts.
The night Selhurst Park ended the streak.
