Premier League Champions Host FA Cup Winners in Final Day Clash | OneFootball

Liverpool to Host Buoyant Crystal Palace in Premier League Curtain Closer

Celebration Meets Determination at Anfield

Liverpool will close out their Premier League campaign at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, where champions meet cup conquerors in a fixture that blends celebration with the potential for upset. Crystal Palace, fresh from lifting the FA Cup for the first time in their history, arrive in high spirits for a contest that may serve as an early preview of August’s Community Shield.

For Arne Slot’s Liverpool, the 2024/25 season has been long since sealed. The title was confirmed in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 demolition of Tottenham, and Sunday’s clash is set to be less about points and more about pageantry. The Premier League trophy will finally be presented in front of the Kop, crowning a campaign that has underlined the Reds’ domestic dominance.

Alexander-Arnold’s Final Bow

More poignantly, this match marks the end of an era. Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Scouser whose right foot has defined a generation of attacking full-backs, will play his final game in red before his contract expires. He was met with boos after confirming his departure, but the Anfield faithful may yet offer a more fitting farewell on Sunday.

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Palace Riding High After Wembley Glory

For Crystal Palace, the task is clear – spoil the party. Oliver Glasner’s side arrive on Merseyside brimming with belief. Their FA Cup final triumph was historic, and the subsequent 4-2 comeback win over Wolves spoke volumes of their resilience. Already qualified for next season’s Europa League, Palace’s visit to Liverpool presents one final challenge, but also a chance to cap off the greatest season in club history with another scalp.

Victory here would be more than symbolic. It would signal that Palace’s upward trajectory is no flash in the pan – and Glasner will surely remind his players that champions are not always at their sharpest once the medals are secured.

Injuries Force Late Changes

Both managers will have to tweak their line-ups due to injury concerns. For Palace, Adam Wharton will sit out after suffering a head injury in the final, while Marc Guehi remains a doubt following a similar knock. Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are ruled out long-term.

Liverpool will be without Alexis Mac Allister, nursing a hip problem that requires careful management. Slot explained, “Alexis will not play for us this season anymore. He needs rest at this moment in time to recover completely and to be ready for the start of next season, but it will be no problem for him to be back [for 25/26].”

Slot added: “I think he played throughout the last part of the season with the Argentinian mentality he has. Never gives up, no matter what he feels, but it is not smart to play a player that has not a big injury, but something to take a risk with.”

Final Predictions as Palace Target One More Upset

Liverpool’s form since lifting the Premier League trophy has been patchy, with two defeats and a draw. Palace, by contrast, appear fuelled by their Wembley glory. With a trophy parade looming back in South London, motivation will not be in short supply.

Prediction: 2-2 Draw in a day of celebration for both sides