The pressure on Arne Slot intensified as Liverpool’s young and depleted squad were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace at Anfield. Despite a promising start, the Reds faded badly and were undone by Palace’s pace, precision, and superior experience.
Liverpool began brightly under the floodlights, but their lack of cutting edge was exposed as the visitors took control. Palace’s breakthrough came in the 41st minute when Ismaila Sarr punished sloppy defending to fire low past Freddie Woodman. Just four minutes later, the Senegalese winger struck again his fifth goal in as many games against Liverpool after linking up beautifully with Yeremy Pino and Daichi Kamada.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Liverpool struggled to find a way back. With senior stars such as Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak missing from the squad, Slot’s options were limited to academy talents. The Reds mustered an expected goals tally of just 0.45, compared to Palace’s 1.45, reflecting their blunt attack.
The situation worsened in the 79th minute when substitute Amara Nallo was sent off for a last-man foul on Justin Devenny, leaving Liverpool with ten men. Palace made the numerical advantage count as Yeremy Pino capped an impressive display by slotting home the third goal in the 88th minute following an assist from Jefferson Lerma.
It was another humbling night for Liverpool, who have now lost five straight domestic matches their worst run in over a decade. Palace, on the other hand, ended their winless streak in style and booked their spot in the EFL Cup’s fifth round, where they will face
