Liverpool overtook Aston Villa into fourth place with four games left to play as Alexander Isak‘s opener helped earn a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace
Premier League (34) | Anfield | April 25, 2026
Goals
Isak 35′ (assist: Mac Allister)
Robertson 40′ (assist: Jones)
Munoz 72′
Wirtz 90+6′ (assist: Mac Allister)
Woodman’s full Premier League debut as 1 of 2 changes
With only one game a week at this stage of the season, Arne Slot opted to keep a largely unchanged side for Liverpool’s return to Anfield.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on his first Premier League start during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Freddie Woodman made his first Premier League start for the club as a replacement for the injured Giorgi Mamardashvili, while Alexis Mac Allister took over from Ryan Gravenberch in midfield.
It meant Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson remained at full-back while Alexander Isak continued to lead the line.
Isak scores first goal of 2026 as Woodman stands out
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Freddie Woodman makes a save during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Perhaps to be expected given their record with a game a week, Liverpool started slowly with Palace more threatening early on, with the Reds’ biggest chance ending in a penalty awarded to Mo Salah before being denied – rightly – by VAR.
There was little else from Liverpool in an opening half-hour that saw thousands protest at rising ticket costs as Anfield turned yellow in the 13th minute.
But the game opened up with 10 minutes of the half left to play as Isak controlled Mac Allister’s skewed long shot and arrowed in his first goal since breaking his leg in December.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the first goal, his first in 2026, during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That was swiftly followed by another from Andy Robertson, finishing well into the bottom corner after a lightning break which began with a stunning save at the other end from Woodman.
Woodman was required again before half-time, with the stand-in stopper serenaded by the Kop as “England’s No. 1” after he kept Maxence Lacroix’s goal-bound header out at his far post.
Half-time: Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
Injuries & controversy as Liverpool ride out second half
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is checked on by team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai (L) and Alexander Isak (R) as he holds his hamstring during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Another slow start to the second half was marked by the worrying sight of Salah going down clutching his hamstring before being forced off for Jeremie Frimpong.
Salah applauded all four stands as he made his way off the pitch and down the tunnel, in a clear sign that he feels it may have been his final game for Liverpool.
Palace brought it back to 2-1 in controversial circumstances as, with Woodman suffering an injury while denying Ismaila Sarr, right-back Daniel Munoz lifted the ball over the prone goalkeeper and in to jeers from Anfield.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Freddie Woodman lies injured during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It led to a sour atmosphere in the final 20 minutes and Slot looked for more stability by introducing Gravenberch for Isak instead of another striker like Federico Chiesa or youngster Will Wright.
With Woodman playing on there was almost a very unfortunate equaliser from substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen, whose trickling effort bouncing off the post, across the face of goal and then out.
That luck aided Liverpool as they secured victory through Wirtz‘s late stunner, with the win pushing them to fourth in the table at the expense of Aston Villa.
TIA Man of the Match: Florian Wirtz
Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace: Match Facts
Referee: Andy Madley
Liverpool: Woodman; Jones (Gomez 87′), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson (Kerkez 87′); Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah (Frimpong 58′), Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak (Gravenberch 78′)
Subs not used: Pecsi, Nyoni, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Wright
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell (Sosa 46′); Johnson, Sarr, Mateta (Strand Larsen 70′)
Subs not used: Benitez, Lerma, Clyne, Devenny, Hughes, Riad, Pino
Next match: Man United (A) – Premier League – Sunday, May 3, 3.30pm (BST)