Palace End Liverpool’s Unbeaten Run in Dramatic Selhurst Park Shock
Liverpool’s long unbeaten streak finally came to an end — but few expected it to unfold like this. Under the lights at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace refused to bow, handing Arne Slot his first defeat in charge of the Reds. Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah etched their names into Palace history with a performance that stunned Liverpool and their supporters.
The narrative leading into the game had been dominated by Liverpool’s streak: seventeen matches unbeaten across all competitions, a new manager carrying the weight of Klopp’s legacy, high-profile signings, and fans dreaming of silverware. But football has a way of shattering illusions. On this evening, the fairy tale belonged to the home side.
From the first whistle, Palace attacked with confidence and purpose. Liverpool, expected to dictate proceedings, were instead on the back foot. Alisson Becker immediately became the focal point, facing a barrage of Palace chances. When the opener arrived, it felt almost preordained.
A corner swung in, chaos erupted in the Liverpool box, and Ryan Gravenberch’s attempted clearance only made matters worse. Sarr pounced, smashing the ball home from close range. The stadium erupted, the home fans in ecstasy. Liverpool were stunned; the unbeaten run now hanging by a thread. Replays suggested the corner itself should never have been awarded, but to the players on the pitch, it was irrelevant — Palace had the lead, and they deserved it.
For the next twenty minutes, Alisson became the backbone of Liverpool’s survival. He denied Yeremy Pino, Daniel Muñoz, and Jean-Philippe Mateta in rapid succession, each save more extraordinary than the last. While Liverpool’s outfield players floundered under relentless pressure, the goalkeeper stood tall, single-handedly keeping the contest alive. He dove, stretched, and clawed shots out of the air with a desperation that embodied the team’s struggle.
The second half brought no relief. Palace continued to dominate, and when Mateta broke through for a one-on-one, Alisson threw himself into the path of the shot, denying certain danger. Even with the offside flag raised, it was a testament to his instinct and resilience — the only Liverpool player who truly looked at home on the pitch.
