Efforts by English Premier League defending champion, Liverpool, to extend its stay on league summit has been dashed after losing 2-1 away to Crystal palace.
Although, the Arne Slot team was earlier destined to leave the pitch with a point but Eddie Nketiah’s last minute kick of an enthralling encounter at Selhurst Park ensured that the host claim the maximum point of the encounter.
The outcome of the game played on Saturday end the Premier League leaders five-match winning start to the season.
Italian forward, Federico Chiesa’s 87th minute equaliser looked like to have salvaged a point the champions’ dismal display barely merited.
Ismaila Sarr had given Palace an early lead but just as it looked like they would pay the price for wasting a host of chances, Nketiah pounced at the far post in the seventh minute of added time to lift them up to second in the table.
Palace were outstanding in stretching their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 games, tormenting Liverpool’s rocky rearguard throughout but failing to make their superiority pay.
Ismaila Sarr’s ninth-minute goal, bundled home after Liverpool failed to clear a corner, was scant reward for Palace’s domination in the first half, in which only the brilliance of keeper Alisson and the woodwork spared the champions further punishment.
Brazilian Alisson saved superbly from Yeremy Pino, Daniel Munoz and Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the French forward also hitting the woodwork with a superb effort at the end of a flowing move.
Liverpool, as they had to do, improved after the break with Palace keeper Dean Henderson – who turned Ryan Gravenberch’s powerful drive on to the post – denying Florian Wirtz from point-blank range.
Record signing Alexander Isak, making his full Premier League debut for the Reds, also shot wide with only Henderson to beat as the visitors built up pressure.
Liverpool’s habit of striking late surfaced again as substitute Chiesa pounced from close range, but Nketiah provided the late twist Arne Slot’s side have inflicted on others this season.
It was dramatic as Gravenberch’s foot kept him just onside after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.
