The reigning and defending Premier League Champions Liverpool have surprisingly been on a little bit of a downward spiral of form as of late following their EFL Cup knockout stage victory over Championship Side Southampton. The game saw new £130m striker signing Alexander Isak score his goal in Liverpool colours followed by late winner goal by their other new €90m signing Hugo Ekitike. Scoring late winners seemed to be Liverpool’s trademark this season for most of their games since the opening day of the season however the tables seem to have turned and Liverpool have been losing some of their games to their own new late winner trademark.
Palace End Their Unbeaten Run
A match between the only 2 unbeaten teams left in the league, Liverpool went away to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. The game also had the added mix of a little drama considering that Liverpool looked set to sign Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day but now they were set to face the Crystal Palace captain away from home. On paper Liverpool looked like the favourites to win the game however Olivier Glasner’s team had other plans as the Eagles completely dominated the first 45 minutes and even scored within the first 7 minutes of the game. Federico Chiesa, who seemingly has revived his Liverpool career after his off the bench heroics on opening day, once again came off from the bench to score for The Reds and seemingly rescued a point in the 87th minute. The real plot twist was the final minute of stoppage time as former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah scored the winner that seemed offside at first glance however after some VAR review, the goal stood and Crystal Palace ended Liverpool’s unbeaten Premier League run while continuing their own.
First Champions League Defeat
Liverpool was set to go away to the RAMS Park stadium at Istanbul to face the Turkish champions Galatasaray in the Champions League. Liverpool did look like the more threating of the 2 teams from early on however Dominik Szoboszlai, who has occasionally been deputised at Right Back, gave away a penalty within the first 16 minutes of the game in which the Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen comfortably put away giving the Turkish champions the lead. For the most of the game Galatasaray were comfortable sitting deep trying to defend their 1-0 lead while also trying to catch Liverpool on the counter attack. Liverpool were relentless in trying to find the equaliser and thought they had found one late on in the 88th minute when defender Ibrahima Konate was seemingly fouled and Liverpool were awarded a penalty. After VAR review the referee, Clement Turpin, reversed his decision and the game continued as Liverpool failed to find an answer to Galatasaray’s defence. Marking Liverpool’s first defeat in their first 2 Champions League games this season as well as marking their 2nd defeat of the season.
3rd Away Game 3rd Defeat
After 2 games away from Anfield, Liverpool travelled back from Istanbul and were set to go West London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League for their 3rd straight away game. The game itself was a game of fine margins as both teams looking like to leave with a win. The game started off in spectacular fashion as Liverpool’s defence gave too much time and space to Moises Caicedo who scored an absolute screamer from outside of the box giving Chelsea the early lead 15 minutes into the first half. Liverpool eventually found an equaliser in the 65th minute through Cody Gakpo who received the ball off Alexsander Isak’s exquisite touch however much like the Crystal Palace game, Liverpool’s trademark late winner twists were on them. Young exciting Brazilian winger Estevao came off the bench in the 75th minute and in stoppage time grabbed an unexpected late winning goal. Marking Liverpool’s back-to-back defeats in the Premier League and the 3rd straight defeat in all competitions.
Reds Derby Redemption?
After the October international break, Liverpool have the chance to get their season back on track when they host rivals Manchester United at Anfield. Liverpool have quite the advantage going into this fixture as they have yet to be beaten at home this season as well as the last time Manchester United had beaten Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League was all the back in January 2016 when club legend Wayne Rooney scored the only goal in their 1-0 victory over Liverpool. Since then, the Red Devils have suffered some humbling defeats at Anfield like the infamous 7-0 defeat back in 2023. Even though Liverpool seemingly has all the advantage going into this big fixture, anything can happen in the Premier League and this Reds Derby is one to watch as both teams desperately need the win for their respective seasons.
