Liverpool VS Crystal Palace
Premier League | Sunday, 25 May 2025 | Kick-off: 16:00 | Venue: Anfield
Liverpool will bring the curtain down on another memorable Premier League campaign when they welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield this afternoon, with both sides having plenty to play for despite the Reds having already secured the title. While Arne Slot’s men will be eager to end their season on a high note after an unexpected blip in form, Oliver Glasner’s Eagles arrive on Merseyside riding the crest of a wave that has seen them enjoy their most successful Premier League campaign to date.
Champions Seeking to Rediscover Their Rhythm
Liverpool’s coronation as Premier League champions was sealed weeks ago, but their recent form has been a source of concern for supporters who have grown accustomed to watching their team finish seasons in dominant fashion. The Reds have achieved something no other side has managed in Premier League history – becoming champions and then failing to win their next three league games in the same season, with two draws and a defeat marking an unusual downturn for a team that has set the standard throughout the campaign.
This unexpected stumble represents Liverpool’s longest winless streak in the Premier League since April 2023, when they endured a similar four-match run without victory. The timing couldn’t be more peculiar, with the pressure of expectation seemingly lifting following their title triumph, only for the team to lose momentum at the crucial juncture.
However, historical precedent suggests Liverpool should feel confident about ending their season with victory at Anfield. When finishing their campaigns at home, the Reds boast an impressive unbeaten record spanning 17 games since their heartbreaking 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the 1989 title decider – a result that famously handed the championship to their North London opponents in the most dramatic of circumstances. Since that painful evening, Liverpool have won 15 and drawn two of their final home games of the season.
Salah Chasing Premier League History
Individual milestones add extra intrigue to this afternoon’s encounter, with Mohamed Salah tantalizingly close to etching his name into Premier League folklore. The Egyptian superstar sits just one goal involvement away from matching the all-time record of 47, currently held jointly by Andy Cole (1993-94) and Alan Shearer (1994-95). With 28 goals and 18 assists to his name this season, Salah has once again demonstrated his remarkable consistency at the highest level.
However, the 32-year-old’s recent form suggests he may have to wait for his moment of history. Salah has managed just one goal and one assist in his past eight Premier League appearances, a stark contrast to the prolific form that characterized much of his campaign. Whether the occasion and significance of the potential record will inspire him to rediscover his touch remains one of the afternoon’s most compelling subplots.
In contrast, Luis Díaz has been in scintillating form at Anfield recently, directly contributing to goals in each of his past seven home league appearances with four goals and three assists. The Colombian winger’s consistency on home soil could prove crucial if Liverpool are to end their mini-slump in style.
Palace Flying High Under Glasner
Crystal Palace’s transformation under Oliver Glasner has been nothing short of remarkable. The Austrian coach has guided the Eagles to their most successful Premier League campaign, with the club setting a new top-flight points record of 52 – surpassing their previous best by a considerable margin. This achievement becomes even more impressive when considering Palace won just one of their opening 13 matches, seemingly destined for another season of struggle.
Glasner’s impact cannot be overstated. In his 50 Premier League matches in charge, he has accumulated 76 points – the best record of any Crystal Palace manager to reach that milestone. His tactical acumen and ability to maximize his squad’s potential has seen Palace win 22 games across all competitions this season, with only their memorable 1990-91 campaign (28 victories) producing more wins for the club as a top-flight entity.
The Eagles arrive at Anfield in exceptional form, unbeaten in their last seven league and cup fixtures and having won 16 of their past 25 matches across all competitions. This purple patch has transformed what appeared to be a season of relegation concerns into one of genuine optimism about the club’s trajectory under Glasner’s stewardship.
Key Players and Team News
Liverpool will welcome back Joe Gomez, who could make his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in mid-February. The defender’s return provides Slot with additional options as he looks to field his strongest possible side for the season finale. However, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister remains sidelined through injury, forcing the Dutch coach to continue reshuffling his midfield options.
Crystal Palace face their own selection headaches, with England internationals Marc Guéhi and Adam Wharton both ruled out. Guéhi’s eye injury and Wharton’s concussion represent significant losses for Glasner, particularly given their importance to Palace’s defensive structure and midfield creativity respectively. Full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Ben Chilwell are additional doubts due to illness, potentially forcing the Austrian to field a makeshift defensive unit.
Despite these absences, Palace can take confidence from their individual performers who have driven their success. Eberechi Eze continues his remarkable goalscoring streak, having found the net in six consecutive appearances – the first Palace player to achieve this feat since Darren Ambrose in November 2009. His 16 Premier League goal involvements (eight goals, eight assists) represent a career-best return and highlight his emergence as one of the division’s most exciting talents.
Colombian defender Daniel Muñoz has been equally impressive, contributing 13 goals across all competitions (six goals, seven assists) – a tally that equals Tottenham’s Pedro Porro as the most productive Premier League defender this season.
Historical Context and Expectations
The historical head-to-head record heavily favors Liverpool, who have suffered just one defeat in their past 15 Premier League encounters with Palace. Ironically, that solitary loss came at Anfield last April, when Eze scored the decisive goal in a memorable 1-0 victory. Remarkably, Palace’s four most recent Premier League wins in this fixture have all come at Liverpool’s fortress, suggesting the Eagles possess the template for success on Merseyside.
However, Palace’s away record in season finales makes for sobering reading. They have won just once in 12 occasions when their final top-flight game has been played away from Selhurst Park – a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in 1972-73 that stands as a remarkable historical footnote.
As Liverpool aim to conclude their championship-winning campaign with the flourish their supporters expect, Palace will hope to cap their record-breaking season with another statement victory that would further cement Glasner’s reputation and provide the perfect platform for next season’s ambitions. With both teams possessing compelling reasons to secure victory, Anfield is set for an entertaining conclusion to what has been another captivating Premier League season.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com