Selhurst Park was buzzing on the evening of 27 September 2025 as Crystal Palace hosted a Liverpool side that had won its first five league games. The atmosphere turned electric in the ninth minute when Ismaïla Sarr burst down the left flank, cut inside and slipped a low pass to a forward who finished cleanly, putting the home team ahead. Palace’s early breakthrough forced Liverpool under Arne Slot to abandon any initial caution and search for an answer.
For most of the first half, Palace’s defensive block, marshalled by veteran centre‑backs, held firm. Oliver Glasner’s instructions emphasized compact lines and quick transitions, a strategy that left Liverpool’s attacking trio—Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and the newly signed Federico Chiesa—searching for space. The Reds managed only a few half‑chances, and their set‑piece defending appeared shaky, a point Slot would later flag.
The second half saw Liverpool increase the pressure. Substitutions brought fresh legs, and in the 68th minute, Salah’s curling effort rattled the cross‑bar, reigniting hope among the visitors. However, Palace’s counter‑attack discipline meant they were rarely exposed, and the scoreline stayed 1‑0 until deep into stoppage time.
Drama unfolded in the 87th minute when Chiesa, playing his first league match for Liverpool, found a pocket of space at the edge of the box and slotted a precise shot past the Palace goalkeeper. The equaliser sparked a roar from the Anfield contingent and seemed to tilt the momentum back in Liverpool’s favour.
What followed was a textbook example of a last‑gasp finish. After a frantic few minutes, the referee added ten minutes of injury time. In the 97th minute, Palace won a corner. The ball whizzed into the six‑yard area, and Eddie Nketiah, lingering just outside the penalty spot, timed his run perfectly. He glanced the ball through Alisson’s legs, the goalkeeper being caught flat‑footed, and the ball rolled into the net. The Selhurst Park crowd erupted as the referee’s whistle confirmed a 2‑1 victory.
The result snapped Liverpool’s unbeaten run and handed the Reds their first loss of the season. Slot, in his post‑match press conference, admitted that his side had been caught out by Palace’s set‑piece organization and that the first‑half sluggishness had cost them dearly. He also praised the Eagles for their resolve, acknowledging that a single lapse in concentration could overturn any advantage.
For Palace, the win was more than three points. It marked Glasner’s first home league triumph over Liverpool since taking charge and ended an 11‑year drought of beating the Reds at Selhurst. The Austrian manager’s tactical blueprint—tight midfield pressing, disciplined defending, and exploiting the spaces left by Liverpool’s advanced full‑backs—earned plaudits from pundits and fans alike.
Statistically, Palace out‑possessed Liverpool in the final third and completed 14 successful counter‑attacks compared to Liverpool’s six. Liverpool, on the other hand, recorded more shots on target (seven to Palace’s four) but failed to convert, highlighting a clinical edge for the Eagles when chances finally came.
The defeat will likely prompt Slot to review his set‑piece routines and perhaps re‑evaluate the starting eleven’s positioning on the opening whistle. With a congested fixture list ahead, any loss of points could tighten the race for European spots.
Palace’s squad, buoyed by the dramatic finish, can now look ahead with confidence. The win against the league’s early leaders showcases the depth in Glasner’s roster and could be a springboard for a push up the table. Fans left Selhurst Park chanting Nketiah’s name, a sign that belief has been rekindled.
Both clubs have a full month before they meet again, giving Liverpool a chance to regroup and Palace an opportunity to build on this momentous victory. The Premier League’s unpredictable nature was on full display, reminding everyone that on any given matchday, a single flash of brilliance—or a lapse—can rewrite the narrative.
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