Crystal Palace 2–1 Liverpool: Selhurst Park Ends the Streak
Liverpool’s unbeaten run was always destined to end, but few imagined it would happen here—under the Selhurst Park floodlights, against a fearless Crystal Palace side. Arne Slot’s 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 2–1 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. Liverpool—so often the hunters—were instead hunted.
The opener came from a disputed corner. Ryan Gravenberch’s poor clearance fell straight to Sarr, who hammered home from close range. Selhurst Park erupted. Liverpool protested the decision, but the scoreboard didn’t care: Palace 1–0 Liverpool.
Alisson vs. Palace
What followed was 20 minutes of Alisson against the world. The Brazilian made a string of stunning saves—denying Pino, Muñoz, and Mateta—to 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
Liverpool’s outfield players struggled. Salah was anonymous, Wirtz wasted his golden chance, and Isak remained goal-shy. Slot turned to his bench—introducing 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 it—they 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 Wasteful and withdrawn early.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 Slot’s decisions—deploying Wirtz wide, persisting with Isak—will 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 Liverpool’s run, and a reminder that Selhurst Park remains one of football’s great graveyards of giants.
What It Means
Liverpool will recover—history says they always do. But cracks were exposed: Salah’s quiet night, Isak’s struggles, Wirtz’s slow adaptation, and a defence reliant on Alisson’s brilliance.
For Palace, it was the perfect storm. They not only beat the league’s 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 Chiesa’s goal wasn’t enough.
The night Nketiah broke Liverpool’s hearts.
The night Selhurst Park ended the streak.
