Upset! Liverpool suffers their first defeat of the season!

Upset! Liverpool's First Loss of the Season as Crystal Palace Clinches a 2-1 Win

At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace played the role of “giant killers” once again, defeating Liverpool 2-1 thanks to a dramatic last-minute goal by Edward Nketiah in the 97th minute.

First Half: Early Strike and Liverpool’s Struggles

Liverpool dominated possession in the first half but struggled to break down Crystal Palace's defense. It was the hosts who took the initiative early on. Just 9 minutes into the match, Liverpool midfielder Gravenberch failed to clear a corner properly, and Senegalese winger Sarr pounced on the loose ball, blasting it into the net from close range. That goal marked Sarr’s 5th career goal against Liverpool, cementing his status as a “Liverpool nemesis.”

Crystal Palace continued to press, with Pino and Mateta causing more problems for Liverpool's defense. If it weren't for Alisson’s heroic saves, the scoreline could have been even worse for Liverpool.

Liverpool’s Missed Opportunities

Liverpool's attack was lackluster in the first half. Starting striker Isak was particularly off form, squandering several key chances, including a one-on-one opportunity that was saved by Palace keeper Henderson. Despite their dominance in possession, Liverpool failed to create clear-cut opportunities and struggled to find rhythm.

Second Half: Palace’s Tactical Discipline and Late Drama

As the game progressed, Crystal Palace remained disciplined and compact, preventing Liverpool from finding any real openings. However, it was Liverpool who eventually managed to equalize in the 77th minute through a well-worked team goal, with Mohamed Salah providing a pinpoint assist for Cody Gakpo, who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

With the match looking to head for a draw, Edward Nketiah had other plans. In the dying seconds of the match (97th minute), he latched onto a cross from Olise, volleying the ball past Alisson to give Crystal Palace a stunning 2-1 victory.

Key Moments and Stats:

• Sarr's 5th Goal Against Liverpool: His early strike further strengthened his reputation as a thorn in Liverpool’s side. Sarr has now scored 5 times against them, and each of those goals has come with added significance.

• Alisson’s Saves: The Brazilian keeper kept Liverpool in the game with a series of vital saves, but it wasn’t enough to prevent his side from suffering their first loss of the season.

• Nketiah’s Last-Minute Heroics: The substitute made an instant impact, delivering a dramatic goal in injury time to hand Crystal Palace a memorable win.

• Isak’s Frustrating Night: The new Liverpool forward struggled throughout the game, missing a number of chances and failing to make a real impact on the match.