Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Player Ratings – THE EAGLES MAKE HISTORY! | OneFootball

Liverpool arrived in south London as defending champions, unbeaten and confident, yet they left Selhurst Park bruised by Crystal Palace’s resilience and their own lapses.

In a contest dripping with late drama, Arne Slot’s side looked to have rescued themselves through Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute strike, only for substitute Eddie Nketiah to pounce deep into stoppage time and hand Palace a famous 2-1 win.

It was a sobering reminder that even the most relentless sides can be undone. Palace, fearless and incisive, seized their moment through Ismaila Sarr’s early opener and never once allowed the Reds to dictate.

Liverpool, sluggish in the first half and wasteful after the break, lacked their usual composure in key moments, and it cost them dearly.

What unfolded was not only their first defeat of the campaign but also the clearest indication yet that Slot’s project remains a work in progress.

Crystal Palace Player Ratings

Dean Henderson – 7/10

Strong, commanding display. Denied Gravenberch with a superb fingertip stop onto the post and frustrated Wirtz when clean through.

Chris Richards – 4/10

Costly lapse in concentration allowed Chiesa to equalise. Otherwise functional but far from flawless.

Maxence Lacroix – 6/10

Held his ground well against Isak, though not always convincing with distribution.

Marc Guehi – 6/10

Relished the duel with Salah and emerged with credit. Showed why Liverpool coveted him in the summer.

Daniel Muñoz – 5/10

Energetic down the right but lacked composure in the final third.

Adam Wharton – 8/10

Outstanding in midfield, dictating tempo and outshining his Liverpool counterparts. A pivotal influence.

Daichi Kamada – 4/10

Anonymous struggled to impose himself and was eventually replaced.

Tyrick Mitchell – 4/10

Worked hard but gave away possession cheaply. Exposed at times by Liverpool’s switches of play.

Ismaila Sarr – 8.5/10

A constant menace with his pace and directness. Scored the opener and set the tone for Palace’s aggressive approach.

Yeremy Pino – 6/10

Showed flashes of invention but lacked sharpness in front of goal.

Jean-Philippe Mateta – 6.5/10

Bullied Liverpool’s centre-backs throughout the first half and struck the post. Faded slightly but a strong presence nonetheless.

Substitutes

Will Hughes (62’) – 5.5/10

Helped see the game out with experience & controlled tempo effectively.

Jefferson Lerma (74’) – 6/10

Added steel in midfield, important in the final quarter.

Eddie Nketiah (75’) – 8/10

The match-winner. Composed finish at the back post in stoppage time crowned Palace’s spirited display.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Eddie Nketiah of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on September 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Matheus Devenny (90+1’) – 5.5/10

Energetic cameo without major influence.

Liverpool Player Ratings

Alisson Becker – 7/10

Could do little about either goal but kept Liverpool alive with a string of vital stops, including three in quick succession during the first half. Without him, the game would have been over long before Nketiah’s winner.

Conor Bradley – 4.5/10

Hesitant in possession and slow to react, his error indirectly led to the corner for Palace’s opener. Hooked at half-time after a shaky 45 minutes.

Ibrahima Konaté – 3.5/10

A torrid outing. Overpowered by Mateta, casual on the ball, and booked before the break. Missed a good-headed chance to make amends, then subbed as Slot shuffled his pack.

Virgil van Dijk – 7/10

A steadying figure amid chaos, winning key duels and keeping composure when others faltered. Couldn’t prevent Palace’s set-piece dominance late on.

Milos Kerkez – 4.5/10

Offered little thrust in the first half and rarely progressed the ball. Marginally better after the interval, but still short of the required standard.

Ryan Gravenberch – 5/10

Unfortunately credited with the assist for Palace’s opener after a misjudged header. Did force Henderson into a superb save and tried to drive play forward, but later moved into defence and played Nketiah onside for the winner.

Alexis Mac Allister – 4/10

Anonymous for large spells, culpable when beaten by Wharton in the build-up to Mateta’s chance that struck the post. Substituted early in the second half.

Mohamed Salah – 5/10

Largely anonymous. Twice relinquished possession cheaply and rarely troubled Mitchell or Guehi. A snapshot late on was his only real opening.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6/10

Industrious and disciplined, though his execution in key areas was lacking. Crossed for Wirtz’s golden chance but also hesitated when well-placed himself.

Florian Wirtz – 3.5/10

Still searching for rhythm in a Liverpool shirt. Looked lost in the first half, then spurned a gilt-edged chance on the hour. Hooked for Chiesa in frustration.

Alexander Isak – 5.5/10

Showed flashes with clever runs but lacked conviction in front of goal. One second-half chance ended with a shot dragged wide when composure was needed.

Substitutes

Cody Gakpo (46’) – 6.5/10

Added more urgency after the break, his movement opening space for others.

Curtis Jones (65’) – 7/10

Neat and incisive on the ball, he offered more than Mac Allister in linking midfield to attack.

Jeremie Frimpong (74’) – 5.5/10

Full of energy but often careless in possession, which stunted Liverpool’s attempts to build sustained pressure.

Federico Chiesa (74’) – 7.5/10

Booked early but ignited Liverpool’s attack. Struck wide once before hammering home what seemed a crucial equaliser – only to be upstaged by Nketiah.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Virgil van Dijk during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on September 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Man of the Match

Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) – Electrifying from the outset, his speed and tenacity embodied Palace’s approach. Scored the opener and never allowed Liverpool to settle.

Conclusion

For Palace, it was vindication: a bold performance, capped by Nketiah’s late strike, propels them to the top as the only unbeaten team left standing. The title race may only be weeks old, but afternoons like this suggest it will be as unforgiving as ever.

Liverpool’s unbeaten start is over, undone by Palace’s courage and their own failings. For Arne Slot, it was a sobering afternoon – one that underlined both the fragility of his new-look side and the need for sharper finishing.