Liverpool moved up to fourth in the Premier League after a hard‑fought 3-1 triumph over Crystal Palace, but the victory was tinged with uncertainty for Mohamed Salah, who may have played his last match for the club. The win was secured by a combination of early goals, a controversial equaliser and a late strike that sealed the three points.
Alexander Isak opened the scoring, netting his first goal since December. The Swedish forward pounced on a loose ball after Alexis Mac Allister’s effort drifted wide, flicking it over the Palace keeper and into the right‑hand corner.
Andy Robertson doubled Liverpool’s lead before the break, finishing a swift counter‑attack that began with Curtis Jones’ sliding pass. His finish was a polished finish that highlighted his experience and composure in a match that would become increasingly chaotic.
Palace appeared to have a lifeline when Daniel Munoz lifted the ball over the stricken Freddie Woodman, who had been forced off after a knee injury. The goal sparked debate because Woodman, the third‑choice goalkeeper who had been thrust into the starting XI after injuries to Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson, seemed to be in pain when the ball was lobbed. The referee allowed the goal to stand after a brief consultation, leaving Liverpool with a 2-1 deficit. The drama was not over.
In stoppage time Florian Wirtz, the German youngster, struck a powerful shot that rebounded off the woodwork and found the net, restoring Liverpool’s two‑goal advantage and confirming the win. The late goal was a fitting end to a match that saw both teams experience moments of brilliance and controversy. Salah’s involvement in the game was limited to a brief but memorable cameo.
The Egyptian forward, who announced his intention to leave Anfield at the end of the season after nine years, suffered a left‑hamstring pull just before the hour mark. He collapsed after a trademark explosive run, prompting an immediate ovation from the Anfield crowd.
The injury has thrown his availability for the final four league fixtures into doubt. Liverpool manager Arne Slot cautioned that it was too early to give a prognosis, noting Salah’s reputation for pushing through pain and his desire to contribute until the very end. The win also allowed Liverpool to overtake Aston Villa on goal difference, bringing them level with Manchester United and extending their lead over Brighton to eight points. The result was achieved despite a highly charged atmosphere at Anfield, where thousands of fans displayed yellow cards to protest a proposed increase in ticket prices.
The protest was a backdrop to the on‑field action, which also featured a penalty controversy. Brennan Johnson’s sliding challenge on Salah initially led referee Andy Madley to point to the spot, but a VAR check showed Johnson had merely touched the ball, and the decision was overturned.
Freddie Woodman, making his first start for Liverpool, performed admirably despite the injury scare. He denied Jean‑Philippe Mateta twice in quick succession, the second save sparking a Liverpool counter‑attack that culminated in Robertson’s finish. In the first half, Palace struggled to breach Woodman, with Maxence Lacroix’s header being deflected away by a combination of the keeper and the right post. The second half was dominated by injuries and defensive resilience.
After Salah’s hamstring issue, Woodman appeared to suffer a knee knock when making a save from Sarr, but he recovered quickly enough to continue. Munoz’s goal, however, raised questions about whether the referee should have stopped play for a potential serious injury. Palace coach Oliver Glasner later explained that they consulted the fourth official and discussed the incident with Slot and Virgil van Dijk, concluding that the decision to allow play to continue was appropriate given the circumstances.
Liverpool’s tactical setup under Slot featured a 4-3-3 formation with Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk and Robertson in defence, Mac Allister and Jones anchoring the midfield, and Salah, Wirtz and Gakpo leading the attack. Substitutions included Frimpong, Gravenberch, Gomez and Kerkez, though the latter two did not feature prominently.
Crystal Palace lined up with Henderson in goal, a back line of Richards, Lacroix, Canvot and Munoz, and an attacking trio of Johnson, Mateta and Sarr. Andy Robertson was named Player of the Match, praising his teammate Daniel Munoz for his composure in the goal‑scoring moment and acknowledging the fine margins that could have altered the result. "In a game like this you just hope it doesn’t punish you," Robertson said, referring to the controversial equaliser.
Woodman reflected on his injury, describing the dry pitch and the sensation of his knee getting stuck, and admitted he was unsure whether to get up or stay down. Slot’s post‑match comments focused on the referee’s handling of the incident and the importance of player safety. He expressed frustration that the goal was allowed, stating that Liverpool did not deserve to concede in that manner and that the decision highlighted a broader issue with referees not stopping play for potential injuries.
He cited previous experiences where players were left on the ground while the game continued, emphasizing Liverpool’s commitment to fair play. Overall, the match encapsulated the intensity of a Premier League fixture at Anfield: early goals, a contested equaliser, a late winner, fan protests, and a key player’s injury that could influence the title race. Liverpool now sit on eight points ahead of Brighton in sixth place, with the club’s focus shifting to managing Salah’s recovery and maintaining momentum as they push for a top‑four finish and a potential Champions League qualification.