Liverpool moved up to fourth in the Premier League after a 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. Alexander Isak netted his first goal since December, and Andy Robertson added a second before Palace controversially reduced the deficit when Daniel Munoz lifted the ball over a struggling Freddie Woodman. Florian Wirtz then sealed the win with a stoppage‑time strike.
Salah, who announced he will leave after nine seasons, collapsed just before the hour‑mark with a left‑hamstring strain, leaving doubts over his availability for Liverpool's final four fixtures. Head coach Arne Slot said, "The prognosis is too early to say.
We all know Mo, how hard it is for him to leave the pitch. If we were 6‑0 and I take him out two minutes before the end, he's still like 'I could have scored two more'. For Mo to leave the pitch, that tells you something, but we have to wait and see how bad it is." The win also allowed Liverpool to overtake Aston Villa on goal difference after Villa fell to Fulham, putting the Reds level with Manchester United and extending an eight‑point cushion over sixth‑placed Brighton.
Anfield’s atmosphere was electric and occasionally chaotic, with thousands of fans holding up yellow cards to protest a proposed ticket‑price rise, and a penalty claim that was later overturned after a VAR review. The match opened with a dramatic incident: Salah broke through on goal and was brought down by a sliding challenge from Brennan Johnson. Referee Andy Madley initially pointed to the spot, but a VAR check showed Johnson had made contact with the ball, and the penalty was rescinded.
Liverpool soon found the breakthrough when Isak, receiving a pass from Alexis Mac Allister, turned a wayward shot into a bouncing strike that flew over goalkeeper Dean Henderson and into the right‑hand corner, marking Isak’s first Premier League goal at Anfield. Freddie Woodman, making his first start for Liverpool after injuries to Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson, performed admirably, denying Jean‑Philippe Mateta twice in quick succession.
The second save, a close‑range header, sparked a Liverpool counter‑attack that ended with Curtis Jones delivering a low ball to Robertson, who finished calmly – one of his last appearances at Anfield before his own departure. Palace struggled to find a way past Woodman in the first half, with Maxence Lacroix’s header being smothered by a combination of the keeper and the right post. The second half was defined by injuries. Salah, after a blistering run, pulled up in pain and received a standing ovation from the home crowd.
Woodman then appeared to injure his knee while making a save from Sarr, only for Munoz to lob the ball over his head into the net, sparking a heated debate over whether play should have been stopped. The third‑choice goalkeeper remained on the field and was fortunate not to concede an equaliser when substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen’s effort struck the inside of the left post.
Wirtz later put the result beyond doubt, smashing the ball in off the woodwork in the dying minutes. Liverpool’s line‑up was: Woodman; Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak. Substitutes included Frimpong, Gravenberch, Gomez and Kerkez.
Palace fielded Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Johnson, Mateta, Sarr, with bench options Sosa, Pino and Strand Larsen. Andy Robertson was named Player of the Match. In post‑match interviews, Robertson reflected on Munoz’s goal: "To be fair to the boy, I was the closest player and I don’t think he saw me until after he hit the ball. He probably looked up when Freddie was back on his feet and then went down again.
In a game like this you hope the referee doesn’t punish you because it could have been 2‑2 right after. I don’t blame anyone; it’s part of football." Woodman described his own injury: "The grass was very dry and my knee got stuck. I felt pain on the inside of my knee and wasn’t sure whether to get up and hobble or stay down. It’s a vague moment when a keeper goes down – I thought the game would stop, but luckily it didn’t cost us." Slot criticised the handling of the Palace goal: "Because of that goal it became a lot more nervy and I don’t think we deserved to concede in that way.
Palace were more in the game than the 2‑0 lead suggested, so it wasn’t a surprise they could score in the second half. The way we conceded was not as expected.
Is there a game we’ve played where there isn’t a talking point about a referee’s decision?" He added, "I’ve seen countless times when a player is on the floor and the referee blows the whistle – I can’t even count them – and it’s often about simulation. We try to be a fair team; we don’t go to the floor unless something is seriously wrong.
When Macca (Mac Allister) was down against Man United, Michael Oliver kept playing and we conceded. He needed stitches afterwards. It’s hard when referees don’t stop play knowing we’re not a team that pretends injuries.
If we’re on the floor something serious has happened. I don’t blame Palace; the referee should have stopped the game." Palace manager Oliver Glasner defended the decision regarding Munoz’s goal: "We discussed it with the fourth official, with Arne Slot and Van Dijk.
We watched the replay. The keeper gets up. If he doesn’t and has to be substituted, they could have definitely scored because it would have been a serious injury.
The ball went to Munoz and the keeper raised his arm – he didn’t really see it. The referee has to stop the game if he believes it is a serious injury, but you see the keeper finish the match.
Demanding the referee stop the game can be dangerous for the future. It wasn’t clear, but I think it was the right decision in the end." The match also featured a protest by Liverpool supporters, who displayed yellow cards to voice their displeasure over upcoming ticket price hikes, adding a political dimension to an already eventful afternoon. Despite the drama, Liverpool’s form continued to improve, and the win reinforced their push for a top‑four finish, while the club now faces the dual challenge of managing Salah’s injury and preparing for his imminent departure.
The season’s final stretch promises high stakes for both the Reds and their departing star.