Liverpool have lost their first Premier League game of the season in week 6 after five straight wins, some of which came in additional time, dubbed “Slottage time” by the club’s fans and media. They lost to Crystal Palace, who also defeated them in the FA Community Shield at the beginning of the season.
The 2 – 1 defeat meant that Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, had lost two straight games to Oliver Glasner, who set a new Palace record in the process of 18 straight games unbeaten as manager of the Eagles.
The loss came as a surprise to the Reds and many neutrals who have watched Liverpool pull rabbits out of hats this season as champions would. Slot admitted that their hosts deserved the win, crediting goalkeeper Alisson Becker as the reason they lasted so long in the game.
“A disappointing first half and a disappointing end of the game. Again, once again, credit to Palace because, one of them was the Community Shield, but it’s not the first time we lose against them, although the first time was on penalties.
“They deserved to be up two or three goals in the first half; created three, four very good chances and we were lucky that {statorium_player pid=57 sid=515 text=”Alisson [Becker]”} helped us. I think the second half was a much better performance from us. We created chances, which not many teams do here or if Palace play away.”
Both goals scored by Crystal Palace came from set pieces. Prior to this loss, Liverpool had shown some vulnerability in set piece situations. Slot was asked if this would be a concern for the team to address.
“No,” he responded. “Against Newcastle we conceded two set-pieces and they were the only two chances they might have had in that game. Today, they had more than only two set-piece goals. They didn’t score more, but they had chances from open play, from transition.
“So, there were more things not to like today than only defending set-pieces. The good thing was that in the other moments Alisson saved us.”
He continued: “Palace have a few threats. Set-pieces are one of them but counter-attacks and balls in behind are number two and three, and from all these situations they’ve created a lot of chances. What I said, we were able to create quite a lot against a Palace team which hardly ever concedes a chance, but when you look at the first half they totally deserved to win.
“In the second half I think it was a much better performance from us. If one team deserved to win today, I think it was Palace.”