Liverpool tastes defeat as Palace stuns champion
Arne Slot admitted his Liverpool side needs to work on how to defend set-pieces better as its perfect start to the season ended with a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, which extended its own unbeaten run to 18 matches.
Palace dominated the first half and went ahead as Ismaila Sarr bundled the ball home on nine minutes, with Slot’s men failing to clear their lines from a Palace corner.
Liverpool improved after the break and came up with another late goal through Federico Chiesa, as the Italian looked to have salvaged a draw in the 87th minute, the video assistant referee allowing the goal to stand despite what looked to be a handball from Mohamed Salah in the build-up to it.
But Palace grabbed all three points as ex-Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah found the net at the back post with virtually the last kick of the game, and the latest goal in Palace’s Premier League history clocked at 97 minutes.
Another VAR check left the home fans feeling nervous as it was thought Nketiah may have been offside, but replays and technology showed that he was behind the defence when he volleyed home and Selhurt Park erupted in joy as the decision came through.
Slot, who was fuming in the immediate aftermath of Palace's winner, said he wanted his side to improve its defending.
"If you want to compete you need a very positive balance with set pieces and even more in this league," he said.
“It was one of our biggest strengths last season, now we have conceded two against Newcastle [United] and two here. But this league is more and more and more about set-pieces."
Slot acknowledged that the champion was well below par in the first half and fortunate not to be further behind, as he praised the characteristics of a Palace side now stands alone as the only side unbeaten team in the division.
"It was a very difficult first half,” he said.
“They did really well and deserved to be 1-0 up, we were lucky it was only 1-0.
"Second half it was the opposite. It took a while before we scored, and we did with a few minutes left. But from a second set piece they won the game.
"Their game style fits really well to their players as they have a low block with fast players on the break and a big man in [Jean-Philippe] Mateta.
“We had a lot of problems in the first half. The rest of time we had possession but very hard to beat that low block."
Oliver Glasner revelled in Palace’s victory as it continued its astonishing start to the campaign, with this win putting it second on the table.
The reigning FA Cup winner is now unbeaten in its past 18 matches, which is the joint-best in the club's history.
“Winning is always a great result but when it is against the champions it is even even better," the Eagles boss said.
“We played the best first half since I arrived. We were 1-0 up teams like Liverpool are able to strike back.
“The pressure was high and then they got the equaliser. But huge credit to the players, we struck back and got the winner at the end.
"These are the moments why we love football. The fans will have a great evening now."
