Arne Slot highlights key problem for Liverpool after Reds slip to first Premier League defeat of the season against Crystal Palace

In a match which saw goalkeeper Alisson prove to be Liverpool’s best player, Slot’s men struggled all afternoon as Palace secured a precious result which ensures they are now the only unbeaten team left in the top flight this season. Oliver Glasner’s side took the lead through familiar Liverpool foe Sarr after Ryan Gravenberch headed straight into his path from a corner. And after huffing and puffing for the majority of the second half, the Merseysiders thought they had earned a point through substitute Federico Chiesa’s late strike, only for Nketiah to make the most of a long throw to down the visitors.

And in the aftermath of a difficult trip to south London, Liverpool manager Slot highlighted his side’s once-formidable ability to defend set plays as a new-found cause for concern this season, pointing out the two goals they conceded in a similar fashion in their last-gasp 3-2 victory over Newcastle on August 25.

In quotes carried by BBC Sport, Slot said following the Palace loss: "Very difficult first half. 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. If you want to compete you need a very positive balance with set pieces and even more in this league. It was one of our biggest strengths last season, now we have conceded two against Newcastle and two here. But this league is more and more and more about set pieces.”

Nketiah found the back of the net for Palace seven minutes into injury time, with the fourth official having initially declared a minimum of six. However while admitting conceding in "extra time of extra time" was “never ideal”, Slot refused to criticise the officials following the game. Discussing the timing of Palace’s late winner, Slot added: ”It is never ideal when you concede in extra time of extra time. But there was a sub so half a minute extra was fair. I have to check when they exactly scored but we have to defend the throw-in better. We take learnings from all the games we have played and we can take even more from a game like this.”

Saturday’s result was the second time Palace had tasted victory over Liverpool of late, having also defeated Slot’s side in the Community Shield on August 10. The Eagles picked up their second piece of silverware under manager Glasner after defeating Liverpool 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Wembley Stadium.

Liverpool’s defeat against Palace was their first in what has otherwise been an excellent start to 2025-26. Heading into the game, the Anfield club had won their first five league games against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal, Burnley and Everton. They also defeated Atletico Madrid and Southampton in the Champions League and Carabao Cup respectively.

Slot and Liverpool will hope to get back on track when they travel to Super Lig outfit Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday. The trip to Turkey forms part of a testing week for Liverpool, who will also lock horns with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Sunday before the international break. In their first match back, Liverpool will play host to rivals Manchester United on October 19.