Liverpool First Premier League Defeat Following Crystal Palace Set-Piece Goals

Liverpool's perfect start to the Premier League season ended with a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, a defeat that manager Arne Slot attributed primarily to poor defending, particularly on set pieces. Despite a much-improved second half and a late equalizer by Federico Chiesa, Liverpool conceded a last-minute winner from a long throw-in, exposing lapses in concentration and defensive organization. Slot emphasized that defending set pieces is crucial in the Premier League and acknowledged that Liverpool's recent concessions from such situations are concerning compared to their previous season's strength in this area. The first half saw Palace dominate and create multiple chances, with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker making several key saves. Analysts noted that Liverpool's central defenders struggled under Palace's high press and counter-attacks, highlighting a need for defensive reinforcements potentially in the January transfer window. Overall, while Liverpool showed resilience, their defensive vulnerabilities, especially on set pieces, remain a significant issue that Slot and his coaching staff must address to sustain their competitiveness.