The media enjoyed the performance of Liverpool and Freddie Woodman against Crystal Palace, as they strengthened their hold on the Champions League.
The pressure on Arne Slot eased further on Saturday, as his side won 3-1 at home to the Eagles in the Premier League.
Alexander Isak and Andy Robertson scored in the first half, before Daniel Munoz and Florian Wirtz exchanged goals after the break.
Here’s the best of the media reaction to Liverpool’s victory.
A sun-baked afternoon at Anfield was assessed…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson celebrates with team-mate Curtis Jones (R) after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
James Pearce of The Athletic felt this was an afternoon full of “many positives” for Liverpool:
“Liverpool move a giant step closer to securing Champions League qualification. So many positives.
“Isak’s first goal since December, Robertson’s finish was brilliant, the heroics of Woodman, and then a special strike from Wirtz late on.
“Three straight wins.”
Writing for This Is Anfield, Danny Gallagher was underwhelmed by Adam Wharton against his potential next club:
“It’s clear Wharton has many, many attractive traits to his game. The sort of player whom managers would love to get their hands on and craft into a multi-functioning high performer.
“But here, against a Liverpool midfield which was on the whole rather pedestrian, Wharton failed to grip the battle and bend the game to his will. The 22-year-old did display several beautifully weighted passes in behind, which is something the Reds could definitely benefit from in the future.
“But, given figures of £70-£80 million are being spoken about, Wharton didn’t quite live up to the billing here. It will be interesting to see what transpires in the summer.”
On X, Steven Kelly jokingly focused on a sixty-four-year record that the Reds have continued:
“Ah to hell with it, let’s live a little: Since Fulham and Bournemouth play each other, I can predict Liverpool will finish in the top 10 for the SIXTY FOURTH consecutive season.
“I’d be interested in a set of results that means it won’t happen!
“Always a big day on my calendar.”
That said, BBC Sport‘s Neil Johnston wasn’t bowled over by the display, also focusing on the protests:
“This season is heading towards a trophy-less conclusion, Salah and Robertson are on their way out, and Arne Slot‘s future as head coach remains a talking point among fans.
“On Saturday, there was also a protest. Thousands of fans, unhappy about rising ticket prices, produced yellow cards in the 13th minute.
“This was a nervy Liverpool performance and tension remained until Wirtz struck in the sixth added minute to make it 3-1 and give his side some breathing space.”
Woodman was superb for Liverpool, earning lots of praise…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Freddie Woodman after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Athletic‘s Stuart James lauded the display of the goalkeeper:
“Woodman looked increasingly confident and produced another fine save later in the first half, diving to his left to keep out a header by Maxence Lacroix.
“Before coming on as a substitute to replace Mamardashvili against Everton last Sunday, Woodman’s only game time since joining Liverpool came in October’s 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Palace, the club he grew up supporting and where he played in the youth system until the age of 14.
“This turned out to be a much happier experience.”
Dominic King of the Telegraph was equally impressed:
“Freddie Woodman was the last to leave the pitch and the fact Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper was so crucial to three precious points shows what a remarkable afternoon this turned out to be.
“Liverpool are almost certainly going to qualify for the Champions League following this 3-1 win over Crystal Palace and Woodman has absolutely made a contribution to them achieving the target.”
Freddie Woodman accepting the acclaim of the Kop.
Some performance on his full PL debut for the club today. Pulled off some fine saves. pic.twitter.com/4ufTUP8qUq
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) April 25, 2026
Finally, Felix Keith of the Mirror was another who heaped praise on Liverpool’s new cult hero:
“No Alisson. No Giorgi Mamardashvili. No problem.
“When Woodman joined Liverpool from Preston in the summer, he would’ve hoped to get an opportunity, but he must have known it might never come.
“When it did, he stood up, while playing against the side he grew up supporting in south London.”
Finally, the *Times*‘ Paul Joyce also focused on Liverpool’s headline act:
“In a season of unexpected twists and turns, the sound of Freddie Woodman being serenaded by the Kop and fêted as England’s No 1 is unlikely to be surpassed.
“The adulation for Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper was richly deserved after a remarkable afternoon in which he found himself central to the tumult.”