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, who netted his first goal since December, opened the scoring, and Andy Robertson doubled Liverpool's advantage before a controversial Palace goal by Daniel Munoz gave the visitors a lifeline. Florian Wirtz then sealed the win with a late strike in stoppage time. The win also saw Liverpool overtake Aston Villa on goal difference and draw level with Manchester United, extending their lead over sixth‑placed Brighton to eight points.
However, the evening turned somber when Salah, who announced his intention to leave after nine seasons, collapsed just before the hour‑mark with a suspected hamstring strain. Head coach Arne Slot cautioned that it was too early to predict the severity of the injury, noting Salah's habit of staying on the pitch as long as possible, even in games that seemed already decided. The match at Anfield was marked by a series of incidents that added to the drama.
Before kickoff, thousands of fans displayed yellow cards to protest planned ticket price hikes, setting a tense atmosphere. Early in the first half, Salah appeared to win a penalty after being brought down by Brennan Johnson, but referee Andy Madley consulted VAR and overturned the decision, sparking debate among the crowd.
Isak then capitalised on a loose ball after Alexis Mac Allister's shot drifted wide. He controlled the rebound and fired a low strike past Palace keeper Freddie Woodman into the right‑hand corner, registering his first Premier League goal at Anfield. Woodman, making his first start for Liverpool in place of the injured Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson, performed admirably, denying Jean‑Philippe Mateta twice in quick succession. His second save, a close‑range header, launched a swift Liverpool counter‑attack that ended with Andy Robertson sliding in a precise finish, one of his last contributions at the historic ground.
Palace struggled to break through Woodman's solid display in the first half, with Maxence Lacroix's header being cleared off the line by a combination of the keeper and the right post. The second half, however, was dominated by injuries. Salah, after a blistering run, felt a sharp pain in his left hamstring and was forced off, receiving a standing ovation from the Anfield faithful. Shortly after, Woodman appeared to suffer a knee knock while making a save from Sarr, but he recovered quickly enough to stay on the pitch.
Munoz then seized the moment, lofting the ball over Woodman's outstretched leg and into the net, a goal that sparked controversy over whether the keeper was fit to continue. The third‑choice goalkeeper, Jorgen Strand Larsen, entered the fray and narrowly missed an equaliser when his shot struck the inside of the left post.
In the dying minutes, Florian Wirtz, who had been a substitute, struck a powerful shot that hit the woodwork before finding the back of the net, cementing Liverpool's three‑goal margin. After the final whistle, Andy Robertson was named Player of the Match.
He reflected on Munoz's goal, saying, "I was the closest player to him, and I don't think he saw the ball until Freddie was back on his feet. It could have been 2‑2 at that moment, but football is unpredictable." Woodman later described his knee injury, explaining that the dry pitch had caused his knee to get stuck, leaving him uncertain whether to get up or stay down.
He praised the referee for allowing play to continue, which ultimately benefited Liverpool. Arne Slot expressed frustration with the referee's handling of the Palace goal, describing the decision as "nervy" and suggesting that the officials should have stopped play for a potential injury. He recounted similar situations in previous matches where play continued despite players being down, emphasizing Liverpool's commitment to fair play and genuine injuries.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner defended his team's actions, noting that they consulted the fourth official and Liverpool's staff after Munoz's goal. He argued that the referee's decision to keep the game going was appropriate given the ambiguity surrounding Woodman's condition, though he admitted the situation was not entirely clear. The result leaves Liverpool in a strong position heading into the final stretch of the season, but the uncertainty surrounding Salah's fitness adds a layer of intrigue to their title challenge.
If the Egyptian forward is sidelined for the remaining four fixtures, Liverpool will need to rely on their depth and the form of players like Isak, Wirtz, and Gakpo to maintain momentum. Meanwhile, the club must also navigate the emotional farewell to a player who has been a cornerstone of their success for nearly a decade.
Overall, the Anfield encounter was a microcosm of a Premier League season filled with triumphs, controversies, and the ever‑present threat of injury. Liverpool's ability to secure three points despite the drama showcases their resilience, while the ongoing saga of Salah's departure will undoubtedly dominate headlines in the weeks to come.