Absolutely furious’ — the reason Liverpool’s coaching team was left seething at Selhurst Park”
Another Liverpool Match, Another Late Goal — But This One Hurt
Liverpool suffered a dramatic late blow at Selhurst Park, as a familiar storyline of late drama unfolded — but this time, they were on the losing end.
Federico Chiesa looked to have salvaged a point for the Reds with an 87th-minute equaliser after Crystal Palace had held a 1-0 lead for most of the match, courtesy of an early strike from Ismaila Sarr. However, in the 98th minute, Eddie Nketiah struck a heartbreaking winner for Palace following a poor Liverpool clearance, capping off a game where Alisson Becker had kept his side in it with several outstanding saves.
Coaching Staff in Uproar Over Added Time
At full-time, Liverpool’s coaching staff were visibly angry and confronted the officials. Their frustration stemmed from the fact that only six minutes of stoppage time had been indicated, yet Nketiah’s decisive goal came well beyond that. BBC Radio 5 Live’s Ian Dennis observed that the Liverpool bench was “absolutely furious” due to the goal being scored two minutes past the allotted injury time.
While their anger in the heat of the moment is understandable, questions should perhaps be directed inward.
Focus Lost at a Crucial Moment
Instead of focusing solely on the timing, head coach Arne Slot may need to ask why his team lost concentration when the game was nearly over. As the match entered the 97th minute, Milos Kerkez’s rushed clearance gave Palace a throw-in deep in Liverpool territory. The Reds failed to deal with the threat, and Nketiah was left unmarked to punish them.
Rather than blaming the officials for playing slightly beyond the six signaled minutes, the more pressing issue may be the defensive lapse that allowed Palace to snatch all three points.
Despite the loss, Liverpool remain top of the Premier League table thanks to the cushion they built in previous weeks — but it’s a stark reminder that even small lapses in focus can prove costly.
