Match recap: Palace strike early, Alisson shines but Reds fall short
Crystal Palace arrived at Anfield riding a 17-game unbeaten run in all competitions, and they didn’t waste time showing they meant business. A corner sparked a sharp finish as a clearance from a Reds defender deflected into the path of a waiting Yeremy Pino, who fed the ball back to the danger area for a composed finish from Sarr. It was the least Palace deserved for the bright start, though replays later suggested the corner should not have been awarded.
Liverpool rode their luck early as goalkeeper Alisson Becker produced a trio of incredible saves in quick succession to deny Palace from Yeremy Pino, Daniel Muñoz and Jean-Philippe Mateta, keeping the visitors in the game heading into half-time. The Brazilian shot-stopper kept the scoreline within reach, but the Reds were far from clinical in attack and struggled to convert chances when they mattered most.
Second-half moments and turning points
Alisson again showcased his class early in the second half, denying Mateta in a one-on-one. The striker appeared to be adjudged offside by the linesman, though the keeper had no chance to react if the decision stood. Liverpool gradually grew into the game, with Florian Wirtz looking to stamp his mark after the break but scuffing a fine opening when it mattered most and was subsequently substituted.
Palace pressed for a second and seemed to seize momentum when substitute Nketiah spurned a gilt-edged chance from close range. At the other end, captain Marc Guehi orchestrated Palace’s backline with composed defending and decisive interventions throughout the contest, further stoking the belief that Palace could leave with all three points.
Late drama arrived when Liverpool introduced a late equaliser through a goal from a super-sub, Chiesa. The Italian forward showed his pace and clever movement to find space in the box and poke home. Yet the fairytale finish belonged to Palace, who had the last laugh as Nketiah converted from a long throw deep into stoppage time, sealing a deserved win for the visitors.
Player ratings: how each side fared
Liverpool players
Alisson Becker – 9/10: A goalkeeper’s performance of the match. His three crucial saves kept Liverpool in the contest and his second-half stop from Mateta almost preserved parity. A standout display despite the loss.
Florian Wirtz – 4/10: Looked bright in flashes but failed to impose himself in midfield or contributing to the final third on a night when Liverpool needed him to click. Substituted after the hour mark as the tempo opened up.
Ibrahima Konaté – 5/10: Struggled at times against Palace’s pace and guile. His positional sense and decision-making came under scrutiny as the visitors pressed high and exploited space behind Liverpool’s back line.
Chiesa – 7/10: Provided a spark after coming on, producing a timely finish for Liverpool’s equaliser. Showed clever movement and a knack for arriving in dangerous areas late in the match.
Other notable mentions: Guehi, Sarr and Gravenberch were mentioned more for Palace’s solid pressing and Liverpool’s struggle to create clean chances in midfield and attack. The Reds will be hoping to regroup with a stronger spine in their next fixture.
Crystal Palace players
Marc Guehi – 8/10: A captain’s performance at the heart of Palace’s defence, guiding colleagues and constantly on hand to snuff out Liverpool’s attempts. A composed, influential display.
Yeremy Pino – 7/10: A constant threat in wide areas, testing Liverpool’s full-backs with quick feet and dangerous runs.
Daniel Muñoz – 7/10: Energetic and effective in both phases, contributing to Palace’s pressing and keeping the Reds under pressure in transitions.
Jean-Philippe Mateta – 6/10: Showed moments of quality in build-up and had a one-on-one chance, but was a touch off his best when evaluated against Alisson’s performance.
Sarr – 7/10: His corner lead and overall influence in the final third helped Palace maintain momentum.
Gravenberch – 6/10: Involved in key moments but his clearance mishap for Sarr’s opener and subsequent distribution left room for improvement.
Nketiah – 8/10: The substitute striker delivered when it mattered, including the late effort that ultimately sealed the fixture for Palace. A pivotal contributor in a tense encounter.
Verdict: Palace’s compact, quick-counter approach combined with moments of clinical finishing proved enough to edge Liverpool, who, despite a heroic Alisson performance and late-Chiesa intervention, could not overturn the deficit. For Liverpool, the emphasis will be on addressing the gaps in midfield and defence, while Palace’s structure and threat in wide areas will be a constant challenge for any opponent going forward.
What it means going forward
The result ends Liverpool’s short unbeaten run and raises questions about midfield balance and defensive inexperience against pacey front lines. For Palace, the win reinforces their confidence and strengthens their claim as a genuine top-half contender in a demanding league. Both teams will be focused on the next fixtures to build consistency, with Liverpool hoping to tighten up at the back and convert more chances at the other end.
