Liverpool Under-21s were beaten in dramatic fashion in their Premier League 2 play-off first round clash against Crystal Palace at the Academy on Sunday afternoon

Liverpool Under-21s were beaten in dramatic fashion in their Premier League 2 play-off first round clash against Crystal Palace at the Academy on Sunday afternoon

Liverpool’s two most expensive players were influential in their 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, with counter-attacking football finally back!

Having only recently been staring down the barrel of Europa League football, Liverpool have jumped to fourth in the Premier League thanks three wins in a row.

The Reds are finding some form just when they need it in the Champions League battle, and here are five positives that Liverpool can build on from their 3-1 win over Palace.

Alexander Isak breaks his Anfield league duck

Alexander Isak‘s first season at Anfield has been one to forget, with form and injuries a major issue.

Liverpool’s record signing was enduring another frustrating day early on against Palace, but that all changed when he fired home the opener.

While not the cleanest strike he’s ever hit, Isak showed great speed of thought, bringing down Alexis Mac Allister‘s scuffed effort and burying a finish.

Incredibly, it was the Swede’s first home Premier League goal for Liverpool – imagine being told in August that he would have to wait until late April for it!

Hopefully, this is a big step in the right direction for Isak, whose top form is needed in the remaining four games and beyond.

Liverpool paid £125 million for him for a reason, and if he hits his Newcastle level, the Reds could have a future Anfield great on their hands.

Florian Wirtz magic in front of the Kop

Florian Wirtz has been more of a slow burn than an explosive presence for Liverpool, but there has still been plenty to admire.

The German scored his best goal yet for Liverpool against Palace, sending a half-volley gliding into the corner of the net in front of the Kop, showcasing his world-class technical ability.

Wirtz’s subtle class almost works against him at times, with a deft, underrated pass to Curtis Jones playing a key role in Andy Robertson‘s goal.

Rival fans may be quick to criticise the 22-year-old and baulk at his price tag, but when you look closely, Wirtz has shone more than he hasn’t.

He has created the joint-second most chances in the Champions League this season, only behind Real Madrid‘s Arda Guler, and that’s in a struggling Liverpool team.

There is a reason why Jurgen Klopp called Wirtz a “once-in-a-century” footballer!

Return of the counter-attacking Reds!

Liverpool’s football has been pragmatic over entertaining this season, which has been one of the many reasons why Arne Slot has found himself under pressure.

Against Palace, though, the Reds scored arguably their best counter-attacking goal of the campaign, with Robertson finishing off a superb move.

Quick on the counter ???? pic.twitter.com/KmXY1WtQUF

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2026

There hasn’t been enough pace to Liverpool’s play all year long, but this drew comparisons to the Klopp era, when opponents couldn’t deal with their speed and quality on break.

Here’s hoping this is a sign of the counter-attacking brilliance coming back ahead of next season, especially with more pace expected to be added out wide this summer.

Alexis Mac Allister looked a more effective figure

Mac Allister has been among Liverpool’s most disappointing performers this season, having shone so much in his first two years at Anfield.

Too often, the Argentine has looked tired and one-paced, but he enjoyed a more influential performance at home to Palace.

Not only did Mac Allister assist twice – the first was rather fortuitous in truth – but he also made an unrivalled 11 defensive contributions for Liverpool.

Having not started at Everton last weekend, with no midweek game either, the Reds’ No. 10 looked more vibrant than he often has this season.

More of the same at Man United next Sunday, Macca!

A much-needed ‘clean sheet’ (THAT goal doesn’t count!)

Liverpool’s defensive woes have been all too regular in 2025/26, but they are showing positive signs there late in the campaign.

With Freddie Woodman shining as the fourth-choice goalkeeper, after Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Vitezslav Jaros, the Reds bagged a ‘clean sheet’ – well, that’s if you aren’t counting Daniel Munoz’s controversial strike.

Granted, Palace produced almost double Liverpool’s expected goals (2.26 to 1.14), which shouldn’t be ignored, but Liverpool aren’t offering up chances as charitably as before.

It’s now only nine goals conceded in as many league matches – one per game, compared to the season average of 1.29 per match.

These are small wins, admittedly!

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The Liverpool captain trusts a health and fitness device to help manage his busy football schedule

The Liverpool captain trusts a health and fitness device to help manage his busy football schedule

Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones have impressed at full-back in the last two games but neither will be starting there for Liverpool next season

Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones have impressed at full-back in the last two games but neither will be starting there for Liverpool next season

Adam Wharton was speaking following Crystal Palace's 3-1 Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday afternoon

Adam Wharton was speaking following Crystal Palace's 3-1 Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday afternoon

Barcelona legend Xavi is a big fan of a Liverpool midfielder who has struggled at times this season, with Arne Slot needing to see a bit more from him in the center of the pitch

15:39, 26 Apr 2026

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.(Image: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been picked out for praise by the Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez, amid a season where the Argentine has failed to hit top form.

Mac Allister began the campaign with an injury and hasn't quite gotten up to full speed, though he did get two assists as the Reds beat Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

Signed from Brighton in 2023 when his release clause was triggered, Mac Allister is expected to be a major part of Argentina's push to win the World Cup again this summer — and Xavi is a big fan.

READ MORE: Egypt national team chief reveals how long Mohamed Salah will be out forREAD MORE: Liverpool owners FSG brutally fire manager and five coaches at their other underperforming team

"There’s Pedri, there’s Vitinha, Mac Allister," the Spaniard told Romario on his YouTube channel when he was asked who he enjoys watching in the modern game.

"There are three or four footballers who, for me, are the best because they understand collective football.

"They understand that when they pass the ball, they are thinking about the next play. Not just passing for the sake of passing, no, they are understanding the game. Even Frenkie de Jong, who for me is very underrated."

Alexis Mac Allister before Liverpool's Premier League game against Crystal Palace(Image: (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

Mac Allister has played 51 times for Liverpool this season, though talks are not underway with him regarding an extension to his contract.

Dominik Szoboszlai is viewed as the priority to tie down, with Ryan Gravenberch having penned new terms recently. Mac Allister will be 29 by the time his current deal expires.

"The longer the games go on, the more Mac Allister struggles," Reds legend Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports last month. "I think that’s a real problem for Liverpool that they need to address in midfield.

"Curtis Jones came on (against Spurs) and the game goes end to end. He takes on the Florian Wirtz role and I don’t know why; he’s not that player.

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"There’s too much space when the game opens up and Mac Allister can’t cover it."

Since then, though, Liverpool has won three times in a row in the Premier League. Its position in the Champions League spots looks increasingly secure.

Liverpool finishes the season with matches against Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford.

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Liverpool.com says: Mac Allister is a very good player at his best, but this season, he has struggled physically at times. It is for that reason that extending his contract might not be the best outcome, even though he has lots of experience and quality.

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Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk posed alongside a Celtic legend after Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace, with Robertson describing him as the "King of kings"

15:18, 26 Apr 2026

Andy Robertson celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Crystal Palace(Image: AFP or licensors)

Andy Robertson fueled rumors that a return to Celtic could be on the cards this summer after sharing a picture alongside Hoops legend Henrik Larsson.

Robertson will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season after nine largely brilliant years with the Reds.

It has been suggested that the Scotland skipper could return north of the border ahead of the 2026-27 season, finally fulfilling his ambition of playing for the team he supported as a boy.

Robertson spent several years in Celtic's academy but was released in 2009, going on to sign for Queen's Park, before spells at Dundee United, Hull City and Liverpool.

READ MORE: Mark Clattenburg disagrees with Liverpool's Arne Slot over Crystal Palace controversyREAD MORE: Alisson reaction to Freddie Woodman save from Anfield touchline sums up Liverpool goalkeeper

Following Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, Robertson took to Instagram to share a picture alongside Virgil van Dijk and former Celtic star Larsson, along with the caption "King of kings" and a green heart emoji.

Former Liverpool player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain recently spoke of how highly Robertson thinks of his boyhood club, after speaking to the left-back ahead of making the decision to join Celtic himself earlier this year.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was a free agent when he joined Celtic in February, and has since scored two goals in 11 appearances for the Glasgow club.

“Yeah, we were very close with Robbo and his family, his mum and dad," Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

"We were next door neighbours for years, so I knew about Celtic and Glasgow, to be honest, from them for years. Robbo makes it no secret what he thinks about this club.

"And yeah, when I was linked, he was the first one who called me and said, ‘get yourself up there now.’

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"But I’m obviously really close with Robbo and his missus and his kids, and my missus is really close with them also, so we get on really well with them."

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Although a return to Celtic has been heavily mooted, that is not the only club he has been linked with, with Tottenham also said to remain keen on acquiring his services.

Tottenham attempted to sign Robertson during the January transfer window, but the move did not materialize is Liverpool opted to keep hold of the experienced full-back.

Spurs could make another play to sign him in the summer, although their chances of convincing him to move to join would obviously depend on the North London club retaining its status as a Premier League club.

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Liverpool U21s were beaten 3-1 on penalties against Crystal Palace, with Will Wright bagging a brace but the Reds losing their Premier League 2 play-off clash.

Liverpool U21s 3-3 Crystal Palace U21s (1-3 on pens)

Premier League 2 (round of 16), Kirkby Academy
April 26, 2026

Goals: Wright 12′, 58′, Figueroa 112′; Cardines 15′, Marsh 29′, Gibbard 107′

The young Reds faced a big game at the Kirkby Academy, taking on Crystal Palace under-21s in a last-16 clash, knowing that defeat would knock them out.

Given the relative importance of the match, it was no surprise to see established players feature, with James McConnell and Trey Nyoni starting in midfield.

There was no start for Rio Ngumoha, however, with the 17-year-old now a firm part of Arne Slot‘s first-team plans.

Will Wright fired wide early on, but it didn’t take long for the teenager to open the scoring, with the influential Kieran Morrison providing the assist.

The opening goal from Will Wright ? pic.twitter.com/n6coNUS4wz

— The LFC Academy (@LFCAcademyX) April 26, 2026

Palace then through Rio Cardine’s pinpoint free-kick, with Pecsi powerless to keep it out, and turned the game on its head when taking the lead in the 29th minute.

Their secodn came thanks to Zach Marsh’s finish at the near post, minutes after Pecsi had made a superb reflex stop.

Nyoni was booked just before half-time, as Liverpool faced an uphill battle heading into the second half.

Half-time: Liverpool U21 1-2 Crystal Palace U21s

Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak need to watch this link-up between Will Wright and Kieran Morrison for the U21s and take notes ??

— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) April 26, 2026

It was the Morrison and Wright show again after the restart, with the latter tapping home to bag his second goal of the afternoon.

Palace hit the bar almost straight away, while the ever-dangerous Wright headed comfortably wide as he searched for his hat-trick.

Both sides huffed and puffed for a winner – Pecsi was forced into an important save – but extra-time and penalties would be required to decide the victor.

Full-time: Liverpool U21 2-2 Crystal Palace U21s

Nyoni was replaced by Joe Bradshaw at the restart, as tired legs started to show in Kirkby.

In the 107th minute Liverpool fell back behind as penalties loomed, with midfielder Joe Gibbard the Palace scorer.

But there was still time for another twist thanks to Keyrol Figueroa’s header from Calvin Ramsay‘s cross, with eight minutes remaining.

It was the striker’s first appearance since February 8 and his 13th goal of a productive season – the booking for taking his shirt off seemed worth it!

Penalties were needed and it was Palace who went through, with Morrison scoring but Michael Laffey, Wright and Figueroa all having their effort saved.

It means that Liverpool’s Premier League 2 season is over and they have missed out on a quarter-final play-off against Man United, who beat Sunderland 3-2.

Liverpool U21s: Pecsi; Ramsay, Nallo, Ndiaye, Pitt; Kelly (Laffey 60′), McConnell (Pilling 60′), Nyoni (Bradshaw 91′); Morrison, Sonni-Lambie (Figueroa), Wright

Subs not used: Misciur

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Liverpool have been linked with a potential move for Inter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries this summer, courtesy of the reliable Paul Joyce.

Right-back has been a problem area for the Reds this season, not least because of a season-ending knee injury suffered by Conor Bradley in January.

Jeremie Frimpong has had fitness issues of his own, as well as adjusting to life at Liverpool, not always fully convincing since joining from Bayer Leverkusen.

It has meant that midfield pair Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have had to fill in, often admirably, as well as the versatile Joe Gomez.

According to the Times‘ Joyce, Liverpool are “aware of the situation” surrounding Dumfries, who has a £21.7 million release clause in his contract this summer.

The 30-year-old will battle Frimpong for minutes at the 2026 World Cup with the Netherlands.

It is claimed by Joyce that Dumfries “was considered” in January after Bradley’s injury, but the “priority” was signing centre-back Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes.

Denzel Dumfries: Shrewd signing or past his best?

Signing a player in his 30s hasn’t generally been Liverpool’s transfer approach during the FSG era, which is why Dumfries would be a surprise addition this summer.

There would be no sell-on value, not to mention the risk of an ageing player struggling to adapt to the pace of the Premier League.

That said, there is also lots to admire about Dumfries, who has started two Champions League finals for Inter recently, in 2023 and 2025.

The Dutchman is now a 71-cap Netherlands international, scoring 11 times for his country, and his experience could be a good foil for Bradley and Frimpong.

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It could also allow Frimpong to become more of a backup winger to whoever comes in as Mohamed Salah‘s successor ahead of next season.

Granted, Dumfries has often been deployed as a wing-back for Inter, like Frimpong at Leverkusen, but he would hopefully have the nous to play deeper at this point in his career.

But overall, Liverpool should be opting against signing Dumfries, given his age, instead looking at a younger option if they are intending on adding depth at right-back.

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Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper pulled off a string of superb saves on his first start at Anfield against Crystal Palace

Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper pulled off a string of superb saves on his first start at Anfield against Crystal Palace

Mohamed Salah's season could be over after the Liverpool star limped off against Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring injury

Mohamed Salah's season could be over after the Liverpool star limped off against Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring injury

Alexander Isak has endured a difficult debut season at Liverpool following his move from Newcastle, and Jamie Carragher has raised concerns about whether the record signing can turn things around

14:32, 26 Apr 2026

(Image: Sky Sports Premier League)

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has raised doubts over whether Alexander Isak will prove worth his hefty transfer fee at Anfield. The Premier League's most expensive ever acquisition has endured a torrid first season on Merseyside since his move from Newcastle last summer.

The 26 year old Isak scored his fourth goal for the Reds in Saturday's 3-1 home triumph over Crystal Palace. His outing against the Eagles marked his third starting appearance since recovering from the leg fracture he suffered against Tottenham in December.

However, there remains substantial ground to cover before the Swedish forward can be considered to have justified his eye-watering transfer sum. Carragher has expressed significant reservations, noting that in his time at the club, no player who struggled initially went on to succeed at Liverpool.

READ MORE: Alisson reaction to Freddie Woodman save from Anfield touchline sums up Liverpool goalkeeperREAD MORE: Steven Gerrard 'hurt' by Liverpool transfer failure after Arne Slot missed out on two 'bargains'

"[The big-spending summer] hasn't worked," he told the Liverpool Echo. "It might work in the future because I don't think you can judge every signing in the first year.

"But I've said this before; my experience as a Liverpool player, every player who came to the club, I can't remember one who didn't really do much in his first season, and then was a revelation afterwards. Isak hasn't got going. He obviously got the injury, but he didn't look great to start with."

Isak's circumstances are particularly complex, with multiple elements requiring consideration. Arne Slot's side were managing a transitional phase following their Premier League victory last season, and absorbing a wealth of new signings has brought its own challenges.

The striker's leg problem in late 2026 further hampered his opportunities, effectively writing off this season as the team faltered even more in his absence. Given these circumstances, Champions League winner Carragher shared his perspective on the necessary steps for mounting a fresh title bid this summer.

"In terms of what Liverpool need to do next season, well obviously they need to replace [Mohamed] Salah," he added. "I think for me, three players need to come straight into the team."

Alexander Isak of Liverpool(Image: Michael Regan - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)

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"You can't go on and buy five players into the team. Liverpool bought a lot of players last summer, so they are not going to buy a load this summer."

The waning performances of Salah and, at times, Virgil van Dijk, alongside Alisson's injury concerns, have occasionally hindered Liverpool's progress. These three figures have been so instrumental to the Reds' recent achievements that it's understandable the squad would struggle when they're either underperforming or sidelined.

Yet it is difficult to blame supporters for feeling that such an excuse only goes so far, given a £446m summer spending spree. And while Isak may be granted some understanding for his underwhelming first season, Liverpool risk presiding over the most humiliating flop signing in Premier League history unless there is a remarkable turnaround next campaign.

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Fenway Sports Group have released a statement after huge changes at the Boston Red Sox

Fenway Sports Group have released a statement after huge changes at the Boston Red Sox