Liverpool moved up to fourth in the Premier League after a thrilling 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 Reds. Alexander Isak found the net for the first time since December, while Andy Robertson doubled the lead before Palace managed a controversial equaliser when Daniel Muñoz lofted the ball over a struggling goalkeeper Freddie Woodman. 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 level with Manchester United, extending their lead over sixth‑placed Brighton to eight points.
However, the day was not without drama. Thousands of fans displayed yellow cards in protest at proposed ticket price hikes, and a penalty awarded to Liverpool was later overturned after a VAR review. Salah’s involvement in the match turned into a worrying episode when, just before the hour mark, he collapsed after feeling a pull in his left hamstring.
The Egyptian forward, who has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season after nine years, was forced to limp off the pitch, leaving supporters and teammates anxious about his availability for the final four games of the campaign. Liverpool manager Arne Slot cautioned that it was too early to predict the severity of the injury, noting Salah’s reputation for pushing on even when hurt. The first half saw Liverpool dominate early. After a contentious penalty claim that was dismissed, Isak capitalised on a mis‑directed shot from Alexis Mac Allister, flicking the ball over the out‑stretched Woodman and into the right‑hand corner for his inaugural Premier League goal at Anfield.
Woodman, making his first start for Liverpool while covering for the injured Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson, performed admirably, denying Jean‑Philippe Mateta twice in quick succession. His second save sparked a swift Liverpool counter‑attack, culminating in Curtis Jones delivering a low pass to Robertson, who finished neatly – one of his final appearances at the historic ground.
Palace struggled to breach Woodman’s protection in the opening half, with Maxence Lacroix’s header being smothered by a combination of the keeper and the post. The visitors did manage to create a fleeting chance when Daniel Muñoz, after a scramble in the box, lifted the ball over Woodman’s head to equalise, a goal that sparked debate over whether the goalkeeper was sufficiently injured to warrant a stoppage. The third‑choice keeper recovered quickly and continued, narrowly avoiding a second Palace equaliser when substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen’s effort struck the left post.
The second half was defined by injuries and moments of tension. Salah, after a dazzling run that saw him break through the Palace defence, went down in a collision with Brennan Johnson. Referee Andy Madley initially pointed to the spot, but after a VAR check the decision was overturned, confirming that Johnson had only grazed the ball.
Salah’s subsequent hamstring issue prompted a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd as he was helped off. Shortly after, Woodman appeared to twist his knee while making a save from Sarr, yet he stayed on his feet and continued to guard the net.
Palace’s consolation came when Muñoz, capitalising on Woodman’s momentary wobble, chipped the ball into the net, prompting a brief debate among officials about whether the game should have been halted for a potential serious injury. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner later explained that he consulted with the fourth official, Slot, and Virgil van Dijk, concluding that the decision to allow play to continue was appropriate given the unclear nature of the incident.
With the score at 2-1, Liverpool pressed for a decisive goal. Florian Wirtz, who had been a substitute, took advantage of a loose ball that ricocheted off the woodwork and hammered it home in the dying minutes, ensuring the three points for Liverpool and cementing their position in the top four. Post‑match, Robertson was named Player of the Match, praising his teammate Muñoz for his persistence and acknowledging the fine margins that could have turned the game into a draw.
Woodman reflected on his own injury, describing the dry pitch and the pain in his knee, while Slot lamented the controversial goal and the frequency of referee decisions that he felt disrupted the flow of the game. Looking ahead, Liverpool will need to manage Salah’s recovery carefully, as his presence could be pivotal in the remaining fixtures. The club’s recent form, bolstered by Isak’s emerging threat and Robertson’s leadership, suggests they have the depth to navigate the final stretch, but the uncertainty surrounding their star striker adds an extra layer of intrigue to the title race.