Lackluster but efficient, Liverpool FC secured an important three points for Champions League qualification against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. In the end, Florian Wirtz let the “Reds” breathe a sigh of relief.
A double strike from Alexander Isak (35th) and Andy Robertson (40th) put the LFC on track for a 3-1 (2-0) win at Anfield Road on Saturday (April 25th, 2026). Daniel Munoz scored for the guests (72′), before Wirtz (90’+6) made the final score in stoppage time. Liverpool took advantage of Aston Villa’s slip-up on matchday 34 (0-1 in Fulham) and moved past the “Villans” into fourth place with 58 points, level on points due to the better goal difference.
Since England has five Champions League places available next season, Arne Slot’s team’s lead over a “non-CL place” four game days before the end of the season is already comfortable at eight points.
Liverpool is struggling at the start
As in the two lost duels in the Community Shield and in the league first leg against Crystal Palace, Liverpool struggled. Coach Oliver Glasner’s team defended compactly and also had the first opportunity with a header from Chris Richards (11th).
The hosts didn’t really get going. After 23 minutes, Mo Salah escaped after a fine pass from Florian Wirtz and fell in a duel with Brennan Johnson on the edge of the penalty area. But after VAR intervened, the referee withdrew his penalty whistle because Johnson had hit the ball first.
“Bumpy goal” from Isak breaks the “Reds” knot
Things didn’t go well for the “Reds” and so the goal to make it 1-0 corresponded to the favorites’ game up to that point: a Salah cross was blocked by the Palace defense from the penalty area. Alexis Mac Allister took the rebound directly from 22 meters. What was supposed to be a shot became a pass to the penalty spot. There Isak first missed the reception and then the shot – but it then turned into the perfect touchdown over the goalkeeper and into the net.
Things went better five minutes later: After a strong save by LFC goalkeeper Freddie Woodman – as number three in goal for the first time after the injuries to Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili – Liverpool started the counterattack. Wirtz played perfectly through the middle to Curtis Jones. He took the advancing Robertson with him on the left and the left-back deliberately pushed it flat into the right corner in the penalty area to make it 2-0.
Salah was substituted injured
Crystal Palace had to do more and had a good chance before the half-time whistle, but Daichi Kamada hit the post from a corner (40′).
With the lead behind them, Liverpool played the game down in the second half without much enthusiasm. The only downside was Salah’s substitution after almost an hour due to injury. If the Egyptian is seriously injured, the game against Crystal Palace may well be his last appearance before his summer departure.
Wirtz makes everything clear
The slot team didn’t make life easy for itself in the rest of the season. After Munoz’s goal to make it 1-2, things got exciting again. But Liverpool secured the three points, also because Wirtz struck again. After a long throw-in, the German international got the ball at the right corner of the penalty area and powerfully chased it up into the far corner to make it 3-1.
In the end, the hosts were overcome with joy and relief. With their third Premier League victory in a row, Liverpool seems to be gathering themselves at the end of the season and are ready for the duel at Manchester United next Sunday (05/03/2026, 4:30 p.m.). With another success at Old Trafford, the “Reds” could even push their arch-rivals out of third place.
