Premier League: Can Liverpool Finally Beat Palace?

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

It was how the season began. The annual curtain raiser between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup holders. And what a contest it was as Crystal Palace defeated Liverpool in a penalty shoot-out following a thrilling 2-2 draw in which the Eagles showed their character by twice coming from behind.

If that was impressive, what we didn’t know was that it was setting the scene for what was to follow.

For as these sides prepare to meet for the final time this season on Saturday afternoon, the record is very one-sided: Palace played three, won three!

Talking Points

Now the Merseysiders are firm favourites to finally get a win against Palace this weekend, especially as the visitors have nothing to play for in the league and, more notably, have one eye on a European semi-final five days later.

On saying all of that, Liverpool have been favourites in each of their thee meetings this season and Palace have deservedly had the upper hand each time.

The league contest at Selhurst Park in late September saw Ismaila Sarr give Oliver Glasner’s men an early lead and they should have had the contest sewn up.

It looked like it was going to end honours even when Federico Chiesa netted a late equaliser.

But the best was yet to come as Eddie Nketiah produced a clinical finish with a 97th minute winner to clinch a superb victory.

The winner was set-up by Marc Guehi who, just like at Wembley a month earlier and during that afternoon, went onto skipper his side to a third victory in less than three months when the Eagles won 3-0 at Anfield in the League Cup.

Federico Chiesa’s late equaliser wasn’t enough as Liverpool suffer first Premier League loss at Palace — Federico Chiesa celebrates his 87th‑minute equaliser for Liverpool against Crystal Palace in the Premier League

While up until Christmas, Palace had been one of the teams of the season for me, Guehi has also been one of the players of the season and will be England’s first choice centre back at this summer’s World Cup.

Sadly for the club, just as they sold Michael Olise (to Bayern Munich) and Eberechi Eze (to Arsenal) in the 18 months beforehand, they were unable to keep hold of Guehi and his departure, coupled with a congested fixture list and limited squad depth, meant they were unable to maintain their momentum.

Yet with their Premier League status long since secured, they have slowly regained momentum and also have a Europa Conference semi-final to look forward to following an impressive quarter-final victory over Fiorentina.

What a fitting farewell European success would be for outgoing manager Glasner who has overseen a terrific spell since he arrived at the club just over two years ago.

He was also instrumental in ensuring Guehi stayed at the club in September when he was an hour away from joining their opponents this weekend.

His captain behaved impeccably, put aside his disappointment and led his team superbly before gaining a January move to Manchester City.

While his absence has been felt, Palace have continued to be a tough nut to crack.

As they chase Premier League 2026 highlights, Liverpool will presumably be pleased not to be facing Guehi this weekend.

He has also since beaten them twice with City.

The home team’s own bid for silverware ended last week when, despite a spirited second leg showing, they were ultimately outclassed by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

They look a good bet to return to the competition next season though and sit in fifth place – the final position up for grabs.

That is the very least that would have been expected at the start of the campaign when they were red-hot favourites for many trophies – then Palace came calling.

History

After the Sehurst Park victory, Sarr scored twice at Anfield in a 3-0 League Cup romp with Yeremy Pino getting the third.

In the Community Shield, Dean Henderson saved two penalties and Justin Devenny hit the winning spot-kick in the shoot-out after Jean-Philippe Mateta and Sarr cancelled out Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong’s goals.

This match last season came on the final day of the campaign, following their respective league and cup triumphs, and ended 1-1 as Sarr (he can’t stop scoring against the red half of Merseyside) and Mohamed Salah traded goals.