Liverpool climbed to fourth in the Premier League after a hard‑fought 3-1 triumph over Crystal Palace, but the victory was tinged with uncertainty as Mohamed Salah appeared to suffer a hamstring injury that could mark his last match for the club. The game opened with Alexander Isak finally breaking his goal‑drought, netting his first strike since December. Isak seized on a loose ball after Alexis Mac Allister’s effort drifted wide, flicking the rebound past Palace keeper Freddie Woodman and into the right‑hand corner.
His finish gave the Reds an early lead and set the tone for a lively first half. Andy Robertson doubled Liverpool’s advantage before the break, finishing a swift counter‑attack that began with Curtis Jones’ incisive pass. Robertson’s well‑timed run and composed finish made it 2-0, and the Anfield crowd erupted in celebration. Palace, however, responded with a controversial equaliser.
Daniel Munoz lofted the ball over a visibly distressed Woodman, who had twisted his knee after a save, and the ball sailed into the net, prompting a heated debate among the officials and supporters. The match’s drama intensified in the second half when Salah, who has announced his intention to leave Liverpool after nine seasons, went down after a powerful run inside the box. The Egyptian forward clutched his left hamstring just before the hour mark, drawing a standing ovation from the Anfield faithful despite the pain evident on his face.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot cautioned that it was too early to predict the severity of the injury, noting Salah’s reputation for pushing through discomfort: "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.'" While the Salah incident dominated headlines, the match also featured a late winner from Florian Wirtz.
In stoppage time, Wirtz struck a powerful shot that rattled the woodwork before finding the back of the net, sealing the three points for Liverpool and extending their lead over sixth‑placed Brighton to eight points. Beyond the goals, the fixture was marked by a series of ancillary events that added to its spectacle.
Thousands of Liverpool supporters waved yellow cards in a coordinated protest against the club’s proposed ticket price hikes, creating a sea of bright warnings throughout Anfield. Additionally, a penalty awarded to Salah after a challenge from Brennan Johnson was overturned following a VAR review, sparking further debate over refereeing standards. Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, making his first start for Liverpool in place of the injured Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson, delivered a solid performance despite the early injury scare. He denied Crystal Palace striker Jean‑Philippe Mateta twice in quick succession, the second save coming from a close‑range header that launched a swift Liverpool counter‑attack, culminating in Robertson’s finish.
Woodman’s composure helped keep Palace at bay for much of the first half, although his later knee trouble allowed Munoz’s opportunistic lob. The second half saw additional injuries. After Woodman’s knee issue, he was forced to continue despite the discomfort, and Palace’s Sarr attempted a shot that Woodman saved, only to see Munoz’s quick reaction produce the controversial goal.
The third‑choice keeper, who had not been expected to feature, managed to stay 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. Liverpool’s line‑up featured a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents: Woodman in goal; a back four of Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk and Robertson; a midfield trio of Mac Allister, Jones and Salah; and an attacking line of Wirtz, Gakpo and Isak. Substitutes Frimpong, Gravenberch, Gomez and Kerkez were available on the bench, while Palace fielded Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Johnson, Mateta and Sarr, with Sosa, Pino and Strand Larsen on the bench.
Andy Robertson was named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution and leadership on the field. Post‑match reactions highlighted the emotional weight of the day. Robertson praised Munoz’s perseverance, noting that the young striker seemed unaware of the impact of his goal until after the ball crossed the line.
"In a game like this, you just hope it doesn't punish you because it could have done, it could have been 2‑2 just after," he said. Woodman reflected on his knee injury, describing the dry pitch as a factor that caused his joint to snag: "I felt pain on the inside of my knee. I wasn’t sure whether to get up and hobble towards the goal or stay down.
It’s a bit of an unclear moment if the goalkeeper goes down. I thought naturally the game stops, but luckily it didn’t punish us in the end." Slot addressed the controversy surrounding the Palace goal, emphasizing the need for referees to stop play when a serious injury appears. He cited past incidents where games continued despite players being down, arguing that Liverpool’s reputation for honesty should not be used against them: "We don’t go to the floor if nothing is wrong. That happened against Man United when Mac Allister was on the floor and Michael Oliver kept playing and we conceded a goal.
I find it hard that referees don’t go into the game knowing we are not a team that pretends we are injured. If we're on the floor something serious has happened. I don’t blame them (Palace).
The referee should stop the game." Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner defended his side’s reaction to the disputed goal, explaining that discussions with the fourth official and Liverpool’s staff took place immediately after the incident. He noted that the keeper’s hesitation to rise left the goal open, but argued that the referee’s decision to continue was not entirely clear, though ultimately justified.
"The ball goes to Daniel Munoz and the keeper raises his arm. He didn't really see it or it is the same time," Glasner said.
"The referee has to stop the game if he believes it is a serious injury but you see the keeper ends the game. To demand the referee has to stop the game can be very dangerous for the future. It was not so clear but I think it was the right decision in the end." With this win, Liverpool not only moved ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference but also leveled with Manchester United on points, reinforcing their push for a top‑four finish. The club now faces four more league fixtures, and the status of Salah’s fitness will be a crucial factor in determining whether the Egyptian legend can contribute to the final stretch of the season before his announced departure in the summer.