Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to an abrupt end in south London as Eddie Nketiah’s 97th-minute strike gave Crystal Palace a dramatic 2–1 victory at Selhurst Park.

The reigning champions thought they had salvaged a draw after Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute equaliser cancelled out Ismaïla Sarr’s early opener. But the final action of the game—a long throw recycled into the box—saw Nketiah break free to smash in a winner that stunned the travelling support and handed Liverpool their first league defeat of the campaign.

Slot Points to a Costly Mental Lapse

In the post-match interviews, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot did not name names but hinted that one player’s “offensive mindset” in the dying minutes had left the team exposed at a moment when preserving the draw should have been the priority.

“Sometimes it is about recognising the moment,” Slot said. “At 1–1 in stoppage time, we needed to defend the situation, not to keep breaking forward.”

Analysts and fans online quickly focused on the late substitution of Jeremie Frimpong, who replaced Ibrahima Konaté for the final quarter-hour. Frimpong’s forward-leaning instincts left space in transition, but Slot’s wider message was about collective game-state discipline.

Liverpool’s First-Half Struggles

The defeat reflected more than a single mistake. For long periods in the first half Liverpool looked uncomfortable. Palace pressed high, denied them central progression, and used Jean-Philippe Mateta as a physical outlet.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker was called into action repeatedly, making crucial saves to deny Mateta and Sarr. Mateta also hit the post, and Liverpool could not find rhythm until the latter stages of the game.

Chiesa’s Impact and the False Dawn

Liverpool improved after the break. The introduction of extra energy in midfield and wider rotations created openings, and in the 87th minute, Chiesa arrived at the back post to slot home the equaliser.

For a few minutes it looked like the champions would escape with a point, but Palace’s persistence with set-piece pressure paid off. A long throw from the left was flicked on, fell loose, and Nketiah pounced to decide the contest.

Key Selection and Substitution Talking Points

• Frimpong for Konaté: The substitution around the 74th minute brought more attacking thrust but also loosened the defensive organisation on second balls.
• Konaté’s Early Struggles: The centre-back endured a bruising battle with Mateta and had been booked, which may have influenced the timing of his removal.
• Isak and Wirtz Still Settling: Liverpool’s new attacking pair showed flashes but are still bedding into the side; Florian Wirtz missed a good chance after half-time, while Alexander Isak was largely kept quiet.
• Chiesa’s Positives: The Italian winger’s late goal underlined his instinct for decisive contributions in tight matches.

Watch below Arne Slot’s post-match interview after the 2-1 loss against Crystal Palace from @HaytersTV:

Palace’s Methodical Approach

Under Oliver Glasner, Palace have developed a reputation for resilience and precision on restarts. The Selhurst Park crowd sensed belief each time the ball went dead.

The winning goal was a product of that attention to detail:

• Marc Guéhi contested the initial throw at the near post.
• Will Hughes stayed alive for the second contact.
• Nketiah anticipated the loose ball and reacted quicker than the Liverpool backline.

This was not luck but a plan executed to perfection—one that extended Palace’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 matches.

Touchline Frustrations and Officiating Complaints

The atmosphere on the Liverpool bench grew tense as decisions went against them.

• Slot was cautioned after leaving his technical area to protest a corner leading up to Palace’s opener.
• Captain Virgil van Dijk, full-back Milos Kerkez, and goalkeeper Alisson were all visibly frustrated by what they felt were delayed offside flags, forcing them to play on in risky phases before the assistant raised the flag.

These incidents did not decide the match but added to Liverpool’s sense of a chaotic afternoon.

Alisson the Standout

If there was a silver lining for Liverpool, it was the performance of their goalkeeper.

• Alisson Becker made at least four vital stops, including a reflex save to deny Sarr in the first half and a smothering intervention on Mateta after the break.
• His consistency was the main reason Liverpool reached the closing stages level, giving Chiesa the platform to equalise.

Lessons for Slot’s Team

The loss may serve as a timely reminder for Liverpool as they try to defend their title under a new coach:

1. Set-Piece Fragility: Four of the seven league goals conceded so far have come from set plays or second-phase situations.
2. End-Game Management: Players need clarity on when to chase a winner and when to close shop.
3. Midfield Control: The absence of sustained control in the first half left Liverpool vulnerable to long balls and counters.

Slot’s comment about “one player” was less about blame and more about emphasising that tactical discipline matters most in moments when legs are tired and emotions run high.

The Wider Picture for Liverpool

Despite the defeat, Liverpool remain near the top of the table with five wins from their opening six games. Slot’s style—fast, expansive, full-back-driven—is still bedding in, and the squad has already shown resilience in previous matches.

Yet the defeat highlighted that the transition from one managerial era to another involves learning curves. The hallmark of champions is often how they respond to setbacks. Liverpool now face a run of fixtures in which they will be expected to bounce back.

Credit to Palace and Glasner’s Rise

It is equally important to highlight Palace’s achievement. Glasner has instilled organisation and confidence in his team. The 18-match unbeaten streak underlines that they are not merely spoilers but a side with tactical clarity and belief in their system.

For Palace, beating the champions at home reinforces Selhurst Park’s reputation as one of the league’s most challenging venues for visitors.

Key Stats at a Glance

• Possession: Liverpool 58% – Palace 42%
• Shots on Target: Liverpool 5 – Palace 7
• Set-Piece Goals Conceded by Liverpool: 4 of 7 league goals
• Unbeaten Streak: Palace now 18 games unbeaten in all competitions
• Late Goals: Nketiah’s 97th-minute winner is the latest match-winning strike against Liverpool in the Slot era.

Tactical Analysis: The Final Throw-In

The decisive moment was a lesson in concentration and structure:

• Liverpool initially won the aerial duel but failed to clear the second ball.
• Palace had loaded the back post, isolating Nketiah against a full-back rather than a centre-half.
• Liverpool’s midfielders were drawn towards the ball, leaving space behind them for the decisive finish.

Such details often separate champions from challengers in a long season.

The Road Ahead

Slot will seek to turn the frustration into focus. He inherits a squad accustomed to late comebacks under the previous regime, but he wants them to recognise that composure in defence often earns more points than one more attack.

Next up for Liverpool is a return to Anfield, where they will face a mid-table opponent eager to exploit any lingering uncertainty. Training sessions this week will likely emphasise defending restarts and controlling transitions in the final minutes.