Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted his side were second-best for large spells of their 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, a result that ended the Reds’ flawless start to the Premier League campaign.

The champions found themselves on the back foot from the first whistle, as Palace carved open several chances, only to be denied repeatedly by goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The pressure eventually told when Ismaila Sarr struck before half-time to put the Eagles ahead.

Liverpool rallied in the second half and looked to have rescued a point when Federico Chiesa netted a late equaliser. However, Palace had the final say deep into stoppage time, with Eddie Nketiah smashing home a dramatic 98th-minute winner that sent Selhurst Park into raptures.

Speaking after the defeat, Slot admitted his team struggled, particularly with defending set pieces.

“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,” Slot said.
“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.”

Liverpool will now regroup as they prepare for their Champions League fixture in midweek, hoping to bounce back quickly from their first domestic setback.

Opinion:
This result was more than just a rare defeat for Liverpool—it was a wake-up call. Arne Slot’s men looked unusually fragile in the first half, and while Alisson’s brilliance kept the scoreline respectable, Palace’s aggression and confidence showed that the champions can be rattled.

Set-piece vulnerability is fast becoming Liverpool’s Achilles heel. Conceding four in just two high-profile matches raises serious questions, especially for a side aiming to defend their title. For all their attacking flair and resilience, the small details—marking in the box, defensive positioning, concentration in stoppage time—are what separate champions from challengers.

Credit must also go to Crystal Palace. In Eddie Nketiah, they have found a ruthless finisher who thrives under pressure, and the Selhurst crowd once again proved to be the proverbial "12th man."

For Liverpool, this defeat doesn’t spell crisis, but it does underline an important truth: in the Premier League, even the best must sweat the small stuff—or risk being punished.