Shearer hails Liverpool’s hero in Palace defeat

Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to an abrupt end at Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace snatched a 2-1 win thanks to Eddie Nketiah’s dramatic late strike. Federico Chiesa had briefly offered hope with an 87th-minute equaliser, but the Eagles hit back almost instantly to claim all three points.

The Reds’ goal carried a hint of controversy, with questions over a potential Mohamed Salah handball in the build-up. Yet even aside from that, Arne Slot’s side endured a frustrating afternoon and, by the manager’s own admission, got what they deserved.

Despite the defeat, one Liverpool star still walked away with glowing praise. Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, Alan Shearer singled out goalkeeper Alisson Becker, describing his performance as “magnificent” in the face of constant Palace pressure.

“Palace absolutely battered Liverpool in the first half,” Shearer remarked. “If it wasn’t for Alisson, who made four or five top saves, the game would have been over by then.”

📊 Stats back up Shearer’s verdict. According to Sofascore, the Brazilian pulled off five crucial saves and prevented nearly a goal’s worth of Palace’s expected chances on his own. Without him, the scoreline could have been far uglier by half-time.

For all the talk of Gianluigi Donnarumma edging him in the Yashin Trophy rankings, Liverpool fans will feel reassured that they still have the best goalkeeper in the world between the posts. At 33, and contracted until 2027, Alisson shows no signs of slowing down—and with new signing Giorgi Mamardashvili waiting in the wings, he remains the immovable No.1.

If Slot’s defence continues to leak goals as it did against Palace, the Reds may need their world-class keeper to dig them out of trouble more often than not.