When Liverpool walked into Selhurst Park, the headline was already written: a win would hand Arne Slot the record for the quickest manager to reach 100 league points. He needed just three points from his 44th match, a feat no other Liverpool boss had achieved so fast. What unfolded was a roller‑coaster that left fans and the manager scratching their heads.
Why the 100‑point race slipped away
Palace started like a house on fire. Ismaila Sarr darted past the defence and curled in the opening goal, leaving Alisson Becker with a perfect save after a quick follow‑up. The home side pressed hard, with Jean‑Philippe Mateta edging the post and the visitors forced into a defensive shell. By halftime the scoreboard read 1‑0 and the sentiment around the ground was that Palace deserved a two‑goal lead.
In the second half, Liverpool looked sharper. The press‑ing was higher, the midfield busier, and chances began to flicker. Federico Chiesa, who had struggled to find rhythm earlier, finally got on the scoresheet three minutes from the final whistle, hugging the post before slamming the ball home. For a split second it seemed the point was secured, and the Dutch manager could have breathed a sigh of relief.
But the drama wasn’t over. A long throw from Palace found Eddie Nketiah unmarked at the far post. Jeremie Frimpong, who had momentarily switched off his defensive duties, failed to block the runner, and Nketiah tucked the ball into the net. The stadium erupted as the striker celebrated a last‑gasp winner that turned a draw into a loss.
What went wrong at Selhurst Park
Slot was blunt in the post‑match interview. He pointed to a single error in the dying moments: a midfielder who sprinted forward looking for a counter‑attack instead of staying compact. That decision left a dangerous space behind the defensive line, allowing Nketiah the freedom to glide in for the decisive header.
The manager also highlighted Palace’s first‑half dominance. They forced three saves from Alisson, tested the keeper with a series of shots, and even struck the woodwork twice. "They should have been three up by half‑time," Slot said, acknowledging that the visitors deserved the win.
Beyond the tactical slip, the loss reminded everyone that Liverpool’s perfect start was fragile. The defeat erased the chance to set a new club record and pushed the 100‑point chase to the next fixture. Slot praised Palace’s grit, reminding fans that the former Community Shield opponents had already proved they could trouble Liverpool on big occasions.Looking ahead, the focus will shift to tightening the back line and ensuring every player sticks to their defensive responsibilities, especially when the match is on a knife‑edge. The next game offers a fresh chance for Slot to chase the milestone, but the lesson from Selhurst Park is clear: a single lapse can turn a historic moment into a missed opportunity.