Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Last 10 Matches, Injuries & Tactical Analysis

Liverpool host Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 25, 2026, in an important Premier League fixture for two clubs still chasing European objectives.

Liverpool enter the weekend fifth with 55 points and are trying to strengthen their position in the Champions League places. Arne Slot's side have found some timely momentum, winning their previous two league matches and six of their last 10.

Crystal Palace sit 13th with 43 points, but their league position does not tell the full story of their season. Oliver Glasner's side remain unbeaten in the Premier League since March 1, have reached the UEFA Conference League semi-finals and still retain hopes of climbing into the European places.

Palace also arrive with an unusual psychological advantage: Liverpool have already faced them three times this season and failed to win any of those meetings.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Last 10 Premier League Meetings

Across the 10 Premier League meetings immediately before April 25, 2026, Liverpool hold the stronger overall record:

Liverpool wins: 5
Crystal Palace wins: 2
Draws: 3
Liverpool goals: 14
Crystal Palace goals: 7
Total goals: 21
Average goals per match: 2.1

The previous 10 league meetings were:

Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool — September 2025
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace — May 2025
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool — October 2024
Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace — April 2024
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool — December 2023
Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool — February 2023
Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace — August 2022
Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool — January 2022
Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace — September 2021
Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace — May 2021

Liverpool therefore have the better record across the full 10-match league sample, but Palace's recent improvement in the fixture is impossible to ignore.

Crystal Palace Have Controlled This Season's Meetings

The 2025/26 season has produced a very different story. Palace have prevailed in all three encounters with Liverpool so far. Their first came in the Community Shield at Wembley, where the match finished 2-2 before Palace won 3-2 on penalties.

They followed that by beating Liverpool 2-1 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on September 27. Then came perhaps the most surprising result of the three: Palace travelled to Anfield for the League Cup in October and won 3-0. No club has ever beaten Liverpool four times in the same season, allowing Palace to create a unique piece of history when they return to Anfield.

Palace's Recent Record at Anfield Is Strong

Anfield traditionally represents one of Liverpool's biggest advantages, but Palace have become unusually comfortable there. The Eagles are unbeaten in their previous four visits to Anfield in all competitions heading into this game. That sequence includes their 1-0 Premier League victory in April 2024, the 1-1 draw on the final day of the 2024/25 season and the 3-0 League Cup win earlier this campaign.

The May 2025 league meeting was particularly notable. Ismaïla Sarr gave Palace an early lead before Mohamed Salah equalised late in a 1-1 draw as Liverpool celebrated winning the Premier League title. Palace therefore arrive knowing they have already demonstrated that they can frustrate Liverpool at Anfield.

Liverpool Have Rediscovered Some Momentum

Liverpool's season has not matched the standards of their 2024/25 title-winning campaign, but recent results have improved their Champions League prospects. The Reds have won six of their previous 10 Premier League matches, more victories than they managed across the 18 league games before that run. They also enter the Palace fixture looking for a third consecutive league win.

Their most recent victory came dramatically against Everton. Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool the lead in the Merseyside derby before Beto equalised. Virgil van Dijk then scored a stoppage-time header to secure a 2-1 victory and keep Liverpool fifth, three points behind Aston Villa at the time.

With five league matches remaining, Liverpool remain well positioned to qualify for next season's Champions League, but the margins are still narrow enough that dropped points could quickly change the picture.

Mohamed Salah Remains a Major Threat

Palace's recent success against Liverpool does not change the danger posed by Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has scored in each of his previous three Premier League starts heading into the fixture. He has also produced nine goals and five assists across his previous 14 Premier League appearances against Palace.

Salah's movement from the right remains central to Liverpool's attack. He can stay wide to isolate defenders, move inside to combine around the penalty area or attack the space behind Palace's wing-back when the visitors push forward. Palace have generally defended Liverpool well this season, but allowing Salah repeated touches near the penalty area would still be dangerous.

Alexander Isak Gives Liverpool a Central Option

Liverpool also have Alexander Isak available again after his injury layoff. His return has become more important because Hugo Ekitiké, Liverpool's leading scorer at the time of his injury, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon against Paris Saint-Germain and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Isak gives Liverpool a striker comfortable both attacking the space behind defenders and dropping into deeper positions to combine with midfielders. His presence alongside Salah could force Palace's back three to make difficult decisions about whether to step forward or protect the space closer to goal.

Liverpool Face a Goalkeeper Problem

Liverpool's biggest selection concern is in goal. Giorgi Mamardashvili is definitely unavailable after suffering a leg injury during the Merseyside derby against Everton. First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker has missed Liverpool's previous six games, although Slot confirmed on April 24 that he was close to returning and still had a chance of being available against Palace.

If Alisson is not ready, Freddie Woodman is expected to start. Woodman replaced Mamardashvili against Everton and would make his first Liverpool start if required. Slot expressed confidence in the experienced third-choice goalkeeper and stressed that this type of situation was exactly why Liverpool wanted depth in the position. That situation gives Palace an obvious incentive to test the goalkeeper early.

Joe Gomez Returns, but Wataru Endo Remains Out

There is better news elsewhere in Liverpool's squad. Joe Gomez is available again after missing the Everton match, providing Slot with additional defensive cover. Wataru Endo, however, remains unavailable.

The midfielder has not played since suffering an injury against Sunderland in February. He has returned to outdoor rehabilitation work but is not yet training with the first team. Liverpool therefore have more defensive options than they did against Everton, but their squad remains some distance from full strength.

Crystal Palace Enter in Strong League Form

Palace's 13th-place position should not disguise their current momentum. Glasner's side have not lost a Premier League match since March 1 and remain involved in the Conference League semi-finals. Their most recent league game ended in a 0-0 draw with West Ham United at Selhurst Park. Palace had opportunities to win it, including a late Ismaïla Sarr effort that was ruled out following a Mateta handball.

Defensive stability has played a significant role in their season. Palace have kept 12 Premier League clean sheets, with only Arsenal and Manchester City recording more before this match. That defensive record helps explain why Liverpool have found them so difficult to break down.

Ismaïla Sarr Has Become Liverpool's Problem Player

Few players will enter the fixture with greater confidence against Liverpool than Ismaïla Sarr. The Palace attacker has scored seven goals in his previous eight appearances against Liverpool in all competitions, including goals in each of the previous four meetings. His pace is particularly suited to playing against Liverpool.

The Reds are likely to dominate possession and push players forward, which can leave space behind their defensive line when attacks break down. Sarr does not need Palace to control the ball for long periods. A quick pass into space can immediately turn him into a threat. That makes Liverpool's defensive positioning during possession just as important as their attacking play.

Jean-Philippe Mateta Gives Palace a Focal Point

Jean-Philippe Mateta provides the physical presence needed to make Palace's counter-attacking system work. When Liverpool press high, Palace need a forward capable of receiving direct passes, holding off defenders and allowing Sarr and the supporting midfielders to move forward.

Mateta can also occupy Liverpool's centre-backs around the penalty area, creating space for runners arriving from deeper positions. With Liverpool potentially fielding Woodman in goal, Palace may also look to test the goalkeeper with crosses, second balls and set pieces whenever possible.

Adam Wharton Returns for Palace

Palace received an important midfield boost before the trip to Anfield. Adam Wharton is available again, giving Glasner one of his most important players for progressing possession through midfield. Palace will, however, remain without Eddie Nketiah and Evann Guessand, who were both ruled out for the match.

Wharton's return is particularly useful because Liverpool are likely to apply aggressive pressure through midfield. His composure and passing can help Palace escape that first line of pressure and release their forwards into space.

Tactical Matchup: Liverpool Possession vs Palace Transitions

The tactical pattern is relatively easy to anticipate. Liverpool will expect to have more of the ball. Slot's side will try to establish possession in Palace's half, move the visitors' defensive block from side to side and create opportunities for Salah, Isak and their attacking midfielders around the penalty area. Palace are unlikely to be concerned by spending periods without possession.

Glasner has built a disciplined team capable of defending compactly before attacking with speed once the ball is recovered. Slot acknowledged before the game that Palace's structure makes them particularly difficult to create chances against. That sets up the central tactical question of the match: can Liverpool attack without becoming vulnerable to Palace's counter-attacks?

Liverpool Need to Control Their Rest Defence

Liverpool's greatest danger may appear when they have the ball. If too many players push forward at once, Palace can release Sarr quickly into the space behind. Liverpool's centre-backs and holding midfielder therefore need to maintain good positioning even during sustained attacking spells.

Palace have already exploited Liverpool repeatedly this season. Their 2-1 league victory, League Cup win and Community Shield success show that the matchup is not theoretical. Palace know how to create problems for this Liverpool team.

Palace Need to Survive Liverpool's Early Pressure

For Palace, the first phase of the match could be crucial. Liverpool will want to use Anfield to impose pressure immediately and avoid allowing Palace's confidence to grow.

Glasner's side have generally been excellent at keeping games controlled early. In fact, fewer goals had been scored during the opening 15 minutes of Palace's league matches than those of any other Premier League club heading into this fixture. If Palace reach the latter stages with the score close, their counter-attacking threat becomes increasingly dangerous as Liverpool take more risks.

Who Has the Better Recent Head-to-Head Record?

Across the previous 10 Premier League meetings, Liverpool have the stronger record with five victories, three draws and two defeats. They also outscored Palace 14-7 across those matches. But the most recent evidence favours Palace.

The Eagles have already prevailed in all three meetings between the clubs during the 2025/26 season and are unbeaten in their previous four trips to Anfield in all competitions. That makes this a good example of why longer-term head-to-head statistics need to be considered alongside current-season form.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Who Has the Advantage?

Liverpool remain the favourites because of their league position, home advantage and attacking quality. They are fifth, have won their previous two league matches and are pushing strongly for Champions League qualification. Salah is also finding form again at an important stage of the season.

But Palace have more than enough evidence to believe they can cause another upset. They have already beaten Liverpool in the Premier League and League Cup this season, defeated them on penalties in the Community Shield, remain unbeaten in the league since March 1 and possess one of the strongest defensive records in the competition.

Liverpool's uncertainty in goal adds another layer to the contest. If Alisson is unable to return and Woodman starts, Palace will almost certainly look to test him whenever opportunities appear. For Liverpool, victory would strengthen their hold on a Champions League qualification position.

For Palace, another positive result would continue an impressive late-season run and strengthen their own hopes of climbing towards the European places. The broader head-to-head record favours Liverpool, but everything that has happened between these teams during the 2025/26 season suggests another difficult afternoon awaits the Reds.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace 2026: Last 10 Matches, Tactical Matchup & Injury News