Liverpool

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

Here are some of your replies:

Palace fans

Steve: That was the best performance I've seen from Palace. It could have been 5-0 at half-time and when Liverpool made big changes, we still managed them. I have to keep pinching myself because this isn't what we are used to, but I rather like it.

Andy: The master tactician Glasner set the team up perfectly! Every player knew their role and executed. When Liverpool scored the team didn't lie down, they got back up and took the game! You've got to be happy to be a Palace fan!

Stephen: I'm speechless. It was a display of pure brilliance. We could've had six or seven goals and we deserved the win. If we could play like that every week then I'm convinced we could win the title. It's just a dream at the moment, but can it become reality?

Michael: This is the best Palace team ever. They seem unbeatable, nobody knows how to beat this well-drilled Oliver Glasner system. Long may it continue. We are living the dream.

Liverpool fans

Harry: In the first half, it honestly looked like we didn't know how to play football. We couldn't win the ball in vital areas, we were dispossessed 75% of the time when trying to find the last ball, we made sloppy mistakes and were tragic in defence. In the second half, we picked up the pace slightly but again were dispossessed and gave away chances/fouls when there was no need. I certainly think Slot needs to change something up behind closed doors.

Carl: It seems like we do not have a real plan or sense of urgency. We should've lost this game by many more goals. I still do not understand Slot's selection process, it seems based on money equals results but it does not work. Arne, please start the seasoned players who have requisite composure and skill.

Tim: An abysmal first half, we were not switched on from the off. The constant mixing of new team players seems to mean a lack of cohesion. Some of the new signings need to step up, Isak included.

Carlo: We aren't looking like champions at all. The first half was lethargic and disorganised. The second half was chaotic and again disorganised. The multi-million pound players are not really up to the task. Champions? Not in my book.

Liverpool are likely to be priced out of a move for Atletico Madrid's 25-year-old Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, with the La Liga side wanting about £100m. (Football Insider), external

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Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday’s Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have lived on the edge all season, as late goals have rescued victories, but there was no escape at Selhurst Park and the reigning champions did not deserve one either.

It briefly looked like another late strike, this time from Federico Chiesa, would earn a fortunate point, but their defence failed to clear a long throw and Eddie Nketiah pounced for his first goal since May.

Liverpool have been leaking goals all season, but have been able to dig themselves out of trouble at the other end.

After Crystal Palace tore their backline apart in the first 45 minutes, the Reds stepped up a gear in the second half, presumably with some angry words from Arne Slot ringing in their ears.

But they were far from fluent in what must rank as one of the worst displays since the Dutch head coach succeeded Jurgen Klopp.

British record signing Alexander Isak looked rusty, missing a glorious chance in the second half before being withdrawn to predictable chants of "what a waste of money" from home supporters.

Florian Wirtz, who also should have done better when shooting straight at goalkeeper Dean Henderson from six yards out, is also still struggling to make an impact since his big-money arrival.

In some ways, this was a Liverpool defeat that was coming, having lived so dangerously this season, but it will be no less disappointing for Slot in the manner of the outcome.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot spoke to Sky Sports after his side conceded a late winner against Crystal Palace: "It was a very difficult first half. Palace did really well and deserved to be 1-0 up, I think we were lucky it was only 1-0.

"The second half was the opposite. It took a while before we scored, we did with a few minutes left, but they won the game from a second set-piece.

"If you want to compete, you need a very positive balance with set-pieces - even more so in this league. It was one of our biggest strengths last season, but now we have conceded two against Newcastle United and two here.

"This league is more and more and more about set-pieces."

On Crystal Palace's performance: "Their game style fits really well to their players. They have a low block with fast players on the break and a big man in [Jean-Philippe] Mateta.

"We had a lot of problems in the first half, the rest of time we had possession but it was very hard to beat that low block."

On the winning goal: "It is never ideal when you concede in extra time of extra time, but there was a substitute so half a minute extra was fair. I have to check when they scored exactly, but we have to defend the throw-in better.

"We take learnings from all the games we have played and we can take even more from a game like this."

Did you know?

• Liverpool trailed for the very first time in the Premier League this campaign. The Reds have now lost four of their past seven away games in the competition (W3) - more defeats than in their previous 39 games on the road (3).

• Six of Liverpool's 12 Premier League goals this season have come in the final 10 minutes of games - more than any other side.

Hear more from Slot on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Palace's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Oliver Glasner makes one change to his Crystal Palace side that beat West Ham United 2-1 last weekend. Adam Wharton returns in midfield in place of Will Hughes, who drops to the bench.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi (c), Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Pino, Mitchell, Sarr, Mateta

Substitutes: Matthews, Lerma, Nketiah, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Canvot, Sosa, Devenny

Arne Slot rotated his Liverpool squad in the midweek League Cup win against Southampton, so is able to name a similar team to the one that beat Everton in the Merseyside derby last weekend.

There are two changes though, as Florian Wirtz replaces Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak is handed a first Premier League start for his new club, with Hugo Ekitike suspended after his sending off in midweek.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Isak, Salah

Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Frimpong, Ngumoha

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Manchester United (12:30)

• Chelsea v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leeds United v Bournemouth

• Manchester City v Burnley

• Nottingham Forest v Sunderland (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Tottenham v Wolves (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

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Part of me is thinking that Liverpool are going to click soon and just absolutely annihilate someone.

At the same time, I just don't think that is what will happen against Palace.

Palace got the better of them on penalties in the Community Shield and while I am not sure you can read too much into that, I am going for another draw this time.

Sutton's prediction: 0-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

The Premier League's only two remaining unbeaten sides go head-to-head as Crystal Palace host champions and league leaders Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

Palace are the only team to have got the better of the Reds this season, winning the Community Shield on penalties in August.

That win forms part of a 17-game unbeaten streak that Oliver Glasner's side are currently enjoying, a run that stretches back to April and also includes the FA Cup final success. The Eagles could now equal their longest-ever unbeaten run, which came when they went 18 games without defeat in 1969.

Manchester United could probably learn a thing or two from watching how Palace implement an efficient 3-4-2-1 formation, which is based on a strong defensive foundation. Glasner's side have conceded just two league goals this season, something which only Arsenal can match, and which is less than half as many as Liverpool have conceded.

Their solidity is built on the back three of Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards: Palace have kept 11 clean sheets in the 19 Premier League games that trio have started in a back three together. No wonder manager Glasner was keen to keep hold of Guehi for as long as possible, with Saturday's opponents Liverpool foiled in the transfer window - for now at least.

Liverpool may have fielded a completely changed starting line-up in midweek in the EFL Cup win over Southampton but the match followed the pattern of their season, which involves the Reds having to secure victory with a late winner.

Since losing the Community Shield to Palace, Liverpool have won all seven of their matches, clinching victory in six of them in the 83rd minute or later.

Their past six matches have been won by one goal, which is the longest run of one-goal victories in the club's history.

The plethora of late wins has helped keep their 100% Premier League record intact but head coach Arne Slot admits it is not sustainable, saying after the last-minute winner against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League: "You can run out of energy at the end of the season if every game, mentally and physically, you have to go all the way to the end to win a game of football. It's never a good idea to keep on doing it."

But Liverpool are yet to go behind in a game so far this season, and as long as they can keep scoring, Slot will not be worrying too much. His side could take their scoring streak to 40 consecutive Premier League games on Saturday, putting them on their own in second place behind Arsenal's record run of 55 in 2001-02.

Central to Liverpool's goal machine is Mohamed Salah, who is now within touching distance of Wayne Rooney's Premier League record of goal involvements for one club.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Crystal Palace v Liverpool at 15:00 BST on Saturday

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He confirmed defender Giovanni Leoni has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and "will be out for around a year".

• He said 18-year-old Leoni is "not in a good place" as "it's very hard to take" getting injured on your debut. Slot added: "There is never a positive side, but he is still so young and he has so many years still to go after he recovers from a terrible injury."

• The club are checking the rules with Uefa but it is likely Federico Chiesa will take the young Italian's place in the Reds' Champions League squad.

• Alexander Isak will feature but Slot feels "90 minutes, depending on the pace of the game, will be a bit too much" for the striker still.

• On Hugo Ekitike, who will be suspended for the game after receiving a red card for two bookable offences against Southampton: "It wasn't very smart what he did and he recognised that straight away. He's young. Players of all ages make mistakes and that is what he did."

• Slot dismissed rumours Ekitike had been fined and said: "No discipline means I spoke to him. You are allowed at this club to make a mistake without getting fines."

• On Rio Ngumoha signing his first professional contract: "The good thing is that if you are a youngster playing at Liverpool you are playing with players better than what you are. That helps to keep you grounded and for you to know the steps."

• More on the 17-year-old winger: "He's a player who constantly wants to improve, but if he trains with Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Chiesa, then he feels there is still a step to make to get to their level and then it's about being as consistent as those players. That is the hardest part."

• On Saturday's opponents Crystal Palace: "They haven't lost in 17 games now so they are a tough team to beat. They have an enormous discipline and intensity. They have 10 outfield players who work so hard to stop the other team from scoring."

• He said his side "have the quality to score goals" but "it's not easy to create" against Palace, so they will need to be "smart" and take their chances.

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Image source, Getty Images

We asked how excited you are by Liverpool's 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha signing a professional contract and what advice you would give him.

Here are some of your comments:

Callum: I am over the moon with this. He is such an exciting young talent with such a high ceiling. If we give him the game time needed then he will be England's next left winger and Liverpool's.

Neil: Don't compare yourself against anyone, young man. Just be humble, hard working and listen to the leaders in the club. Trust that they will develop you and don't think too far ahead. Good luck - you have a lot of potential, but that is all it is at the moment.

Dave: Too much may be expected of him but I know that he will be coached correctly. I hope that he is allowed to live his life undisturbed.

Jim: You are hugely talented but keep grounded. Listen to you manager, coaches and team-mates, but remember that your spontaneity has its place too. It's about being great consistently not just in the odd game. Lastly, just remember that it's all about your team and not just about you.

Mike: Rio has an exceptional talent, is a joy to watch and an exciting prospect. All I would say to him is: stay relaxed, keep it fun and enjoy the journey.

Joe: Lots of attackers are quick and a lot are incredibly skilled too. Ngumoah has the rarest of the skills needed to be a great attacker - he's assured. He appears to have more time on the ball than most. I wouldn't dare to give him any advice. He clearly sees the game better than a lot of professionals, never mind amateurs like me. I'm simply going to watch and enjoy.

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Wayne Rooney says Hugo Ekitike's celebration which saw him sent off for a second yellow card against Southampton was "refreshing" despite being "silly".

The Liverpool forward took his shirt off after scoring a late winner and will now be suspended for Saturday's visit to Crystal Palace.

"Sometimes you have the emotion of football - sometimes when you score a goal you do get carried away and he's probably forgot he was on a yellow card I'd imagine," Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney show.

"But it's silly if you're on a yellow card and you take your top off. All the players know you get booked for taking your top off.

"He's doing really well and it's probably a shootout for him and [Alexander] Isak to play and he's giving Isak the chance to come in and try and take his place because at the minute, he's scoring goals and he's in a good place so I'm sure he'll be devastated."

Asked about the nature of the celebration, Rooney added: " Don't you think that's refreshing?

"We've criticised teams for not playing strong teams and not wanting to really compete in the League Cup. You've got a player who's playing really well, he's just come into Liverpool, scoring goals and he's showing that passion and emotion of scoring a late goal in the League Cup.

"I think that's quite refreshing really, from where the Carabao Cup competitions have been in recent years.

"I'm not defending it because it is silly, but I'm saying what we've seen over recent years with VAR and players scoring goals and waiting to celebrate and stuff, I think it's actually refreshing to see someone celebrating a goal.

"He's been caught up in the emotion of scoring a goal and he'll probably regret it now, but I still think it's nice when you see that raw emotion when someone scores a goal."

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Liverpool are hoping to sign France international Dayot Upamecano, 26, when his contract expires in the summer but Real Madrid are also interested in the Bayern Munich defender. (Bild - in German and subscription required), external

The Reds are also hoping to tie France defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, down to a new contract amid interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Liverpool's teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 17-year-old joined the Reds academy set-up from Chelsea in September 2024 and has already made five senior appearances for Arne Slot's side, most memorably when he netted a 100th-minute winner in a 3-2 victory at Newcastle United in August on his Premier League debut.

So, how excited are you about Ngumoha's future in comparison to great young names of the past - Fowler, Owen, Sterling, etc?

And if you could offer a new professional player one crumb of advice from fan to player, what would it be?

Get in touch with your views here

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Ryan Gravenberch flourished as Liverpool's holding 'number six' last season and, while that is still his designated role, Arne Slot is allowing greater freedom this term to maximum effect.

While his defensive numbers on tackles, clearances and winning possession are almost identical to last season, Gravenberch has been getting on the ball in central areas higher up the pitch in this campaign.

He did not score a league goal in 37 appearances last season, but already has two in four appearances this season, including the opener in the Merseyside derby win against Everton at Anfield.

In Liverpool's 1-0 win at Burnley Gravenberch had four shots and created four chances. In contrast, there were 11 league games last season in which he did not have a shot or create a chance. He has done so in all four games this time.

Former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport: "He has been Liverpool's best and most important player this season.

"He missed the first game at home to Bournemouth and also the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. They looked quite wide open in the Bournemouth game because of his absence.

"When he came back in you could see the difference. He has attributes very few midfielders have, which is brilliant spatial awareness plus the ability to glide past people.

"There are not many central midfield players who can carry the ball through the lines. Most midfielders are passers through the lines.

"He is a terrific passer, but his great body movement allows him to let the ball run across him, then he has that great athleticism, which allows him to glide past people effortlessly."