Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to a sudden end after a dramatic late defeat against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The game highlighted both the Reds’ resilience and their vulnerabilities, as they fell short in a match that could have swung either way.
Crystal Palace opened the scoring early through Ismaila Sarr, putting Liverpool on the back foot right from the start. Despite their struggles throughout the match, the visitors managed to find an equalizer late on when Federico Chiesa stepped up once again with a vital goal. At that point, it looked like Liverpool might escape with a point they scarcely deserved. However, Eddie Nketiah’s 97th-minute winner shattered those hopes and sealed a memorable victory for Palace, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 games.
After the match, manager Arne Slot’s comments drew plenty of attention. He admitted that Liverpool’s defensive structure had broken down at the worst possible moment, blaming a lapse in positional discipline from “one player” for the decisive goal. According to Slot, this individual left his position in search of a counter-attack despite the match being in stoppage time, when the focus should have been entirely on protecting the backline. His remarks suggested frustration that tactical discipline had been sacrificed in such a crucial moment.
Reports from multiple outlets, including The Athletic and The Mirror, later identified Jeremie Frimpong as the player Slot had been referring to. The Dutch international, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, is renowned for his attacking instincts as a wing-back. While that system suited him under Xabi Alonso in Germany, his current role in Liverpool’s back four demands a more defensively disciplined approach. Slot’s criticism highlighted the adaptation challenges Frimpong still faces in the Premier League.
Though this was only one defeat in a long campaign, it served as an important reminder for Liverpool. To compete at the very highest level and retain their Premier League crown, they must not only rely on their attacking power but also maintain discipline and control in tense situations. The Selhurst Park setback may sting, but it could also prove to be a valuable lesson as Slot continues to mold this Liverpool side into his vision.
