Crystal Palace merited last-gasp win over Liverpool, admits Arne Slot

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.

View image in fullscreenCrystal Palace merited last-gasp win over Liverpool, admits Arne Slot

Nketiah’s stoppage-time winner clinches points

‘If one team deserved to win, it was Palace’

Arne Slot admitted that Crystal Palace have given Liverpool plenty of cause for concern after they inflicted the champions’ first defeat of the season, 2-1, thanks to Eddie Nketiah’s late winner.



The former Arsenal striker’s volley in the seventh minute of stoppage time after Liverpool failed to clear a long throw meant that Palace are the only unbeaten side in the Premier League and fare three points behind the leaders in second place.

Liverpool – who had won their first five league matches – thought they had rescued a point after Federico Chiesa equalised Ismaïla Sarr’s opener three minutes from time after a corner.

But while Slot refused to blame their defensive struggles on an inability to defend set-pieces after also conceding from two against Newcastle last month, he was honest enough to acknowledge that Palace were deserved winners.

Nketiah’s stoppage-time winner ends Liverpool’s perfect start at Crystal PalaceRead more

“They had more than only two set-piece goals,” said the Liverpool manager.

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.

If one team deserved to win, it was Palace.”

Alexander Isak made his first Premier League start since leaving Newcastle for a British record fee, but the Sweden striker had just six touches in the first half as he struggled before missing his only real sight of goal after the break.

“It had a lot to do with the low intensity of the game,” said Slot.

He didn’t score, but quite a good performance.”

The Palace manager, Oliver Glasner, was full of praise for his side after a first half that he described as the best they have played since he succeeded Roy Hodgson.