Liverpool moved up to fourth in the Premier League after a thrilling 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace, but the win was tinged with concern as Mohamed Salah appeared to suffer a hamstring injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season. The match opened with Alexander Isak finding the net for the first time since December. His goal came after a swift counter‑attack when he intercepted a loose ball, turned his back to goal and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner.
Andy Robertson then doubled Liverpool’s lead before the half‑time break, delivering a precise cross that the defender met with a powerful header, sending the home crowd into a roar. Palace managed to pull one back in controversial fashion when Daniel Munoz lofted the ball over a struggling Freddie Woodman, who had been forced into an early start after the injuries to Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson. The goal sparked a heated debate among fans and pundits about whether the referee should have stopped play for the goalkeeper’s apparent injury.
In the dying minutes of the game, Florian Wirtz, who had been introduced as a substitute, struck a late winner. After a scramble in the box, the ball ricocheted off the woodwork and fell to Wirtz, who hammered it home to seal the three points for Liverpool. Salah’s situation dominated the post‑match conversation.
The Egyptian forward, who has announced his intention to leave Anfield at the end of the season, collapsed just before the 60‑minute mark after feeling a pull in his left hamstring during a typical sprint down the right flank. The Anfield crowd gave him a standing ovation as he was helped off the pitch, and manager Arne Slot admitted that the prognosis was still uncertain. "It is too early to say how serious it is," Slot said.
"Mo is a fighter; if we were winning 6‑0 and he had to leave a few minutes before the end, he would still be thinking about scoring more. His departure tells us something, but we need to assess the injury properly." The win also allowed Liverpool to overtake Aston Villa on goal difference after Villa’s loss to Fulham on Saturday, putting Liverpool level with Manchester United and extending an eight‑point gap to Brighton, who sit in sixth place. The atmosphere at Anfield was electric but also fraught with protest.
Thousands of supporters waved yellow cards to demonstrate against the club’s proposed ticket price hikes, creating a sea of cardboard before the match even began. A penalty awarded to Liverpool early in the second half was later overturned after a VAR check, adding to the tension. In the first half, after Salah’s initial burst, he was brought down by Brennan Johnson’s sliding challenge. Referee Andy Madley initially pointed to the spot, but after a VAR review the decision was rescinded, confirming that Johnson had only made a minimal contact with the ball.
Isak’s goal was a showcase of his finishing ability. He received a pass from Alexis Mac Allister, controlled it with his chest, and fired a low, bouncing shot that slipped past Dean Henderson and found the right corner of the net.
This marked Isak’s first Premier League goal at Anfield. Freddie Woodman, making his first start for Liverpool, performed admirably, denying Jean‑Philippe Mateta twice in quick succession.
His second save came from a close‑range header, which sparked a swift Liverpool counter‑attack. Curtis Jones fed Robertson, who calmly slotted the ball home, adding a third goal for the home side. Palace struggled to break through Woodman’s solid performance in the first half, with Maxence Lacroix’s header being saved by a combination of the goalkeeper and the right post. The second half was defined by further injuries.
After Salah’s hamstring issue, Woodman appeared to suffer a knock to his knee while making a save from Sarr. Despite the discomfort, the young goalkeeper stayed on the pitch and later faced a lob from Munoz that found the back of the net.
The third‑choice keeper, Jorgen Strand Larsen, was called upon and narrowly missed an equaliser when his shot struck the inside of the left post. Wirtz’s late strike ensured the result, as he smashed the ball off the woodwork and into the net in stoppage time, confirming Liverpool’s three points. The match line‑ups were as follows: Liverpool – Woodman; Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak. Substitutes included Frimpong, Gravenberch, Gómez and Kerkez.
Palace – Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Johnson, Mateta, Sarr, with substitutes Sosa, Pino and Strand Larsen. Andy Robertson was named Player of the Match. In post‑match interviews, Robertson praised his teammate Daniel Munoz’s effort, saying, "I was the closest player to him, and I think he didn’t look up until after Freddie got back on his feet. It could have been 2‑2 if the goal had stood, but football is unpredictable." Woodman described his own injury, explaining that the dry pitch caused his knee to get stuck, leading to pain on the inside of the joint.
He admitted he was uncertain whether to stay down or try to get up, but the referee allowed play to continue, which ultimately benefited Liverpool. Slot reflected on the controversial goal, noting that Palace were more dangerous than the scoreline suggested.
He criticised the referee’s handling of potential injuries, stating that he expects the officials to stop play when a goalkeeper is clearly incapacitated. He also referenced a similar incident against Manchester United where a player was left on the ground despite a serious injury. Palace manager Oliver Glasner defended his side’s reaction to Munoz’s goal, explaining that they consulted with the fourth official and discussed the situation with Van Dijk and Slot. He argued that the referee’s decision not to stop play was ambiguous but ultimately appropriate, emphasizing player safety.
Overall, the win solidified Liverpool’s push for a top‑four finish, but the lingering question of Salah’s fitness adds a layer of uncertainty to the final stretch of the campaign. The club will need to manage his recovery carefully while maintaining momentum in the league and upcoming cup competitions.