Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from ESPN or go back to LFC Live.
Crystal Palace has emerged as a serious contender in the 2025 Premier League season, challenging Liverpool's dominance and sparking discussions about a possible title upset. After finishing the 2024-25 season by winning the FA Cup and claiming their first major trophy, Palace entered the 2025 FA Community Shield against Liverpool, the Premier League champions. In a thrilling encounter at Wembley Stadium, Palace defeated Liverpool 3–2 on penalties following a 2–2 draw in regular time, marking their first Community Shield victory and a significant milestone in their rise.
During the Premier League season, Liverpool and Crystal Palace have shown strong performances. Liverpool concluded their title-winning season with a 1-1 draw against Palace on May 25, 2025, highlighting the competitive edge Palace possesses even against the reigning champions. This match underscored Palace's capability to challenge Liverpool, with key moments featuring goals from both sides, notably Mohamed Salah for Liverpool and Ismaïla Sarr for Palace.
The 2025-26 Premier League season further showcased Palace's progression when, on September 27, 2025, they defeated Liverpool 2-1 at Selhurst Park, their first home league win over Liverpool in 11 years. The victory ended Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the new season, signaling a potential shift in momentum. Ismaïla Sarr's pivotal goal in the final minute exemplified Palace's attacking threat and resilience against the champions. This win energized the Palace faithful and intensified speculation that the club could realistically vie for the Premier League title.
Palace's ascent is built on a mix of tactical acumen, solid defensive performances, and key attacking contributions, all coming together under a management style that has boosted team confidence and consistency. Meanwhile, Liverpool has faced increasing challenges, with fine margins determining outcomes in closely contested matches against Palace.
In summary, Crystal Palace’s recent performances—unseating Liverpool in landmark matches and claiming trophies—illustrate their credible threat to Liverpool’s title hold. While Liverpool remains a powerhouse, the evidence from the 2024-25 season and early 2025-26 games suggests that Palace could indeed "dethrone" Liverpool and contend seriously for the Premier League crown this season.