Match Report: Mohamed Salah Sets Another Record as Liverpool are Held by Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Final Day Draw with Crystal Palace: A Moment of Celebration and Reflection

As the Premier League season drew to a close, Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Anfield marked the final chapter of a triumphant campaign. The Reds, having secured the title weeks earlier, were keen to end the season on a high note, with Mohamed Salah’s late goal ensuring a draw despite a turbulent match. But beyond the scoreline, it was a day of reflection, celebration, and mutual respect between two clubs at opposite ends of their seasons.

A Guard of Honour and Early Setback for Liverpool

The occasion began with mutual admiration, as Crystal Palace lined up to offer Liverpool a guard of honour, acknowledging their newly-won Premier League title. In a show of solidarity, the Reds reciprocated the gesture, honouring Palace’s FA Cup victory just a week earlier. It was a touching moment that emphasised the camaraderie within English football, especially when both sides had little to play for in the final game.

Photo: IMAGO

However, the first-half action at Anfield did not go according to the script for the home side. Despite their dominance, Liverpool were caught cold early in the match. Conor Bradley, who had been a solid figure throughout the season, lost possession under pressure. Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell swiftly capitalised on the error, providing a perfectly timed assist to Ismaila Sarr, who slotted the ball past Liverpool’s goalkeeper to give Palace a surprise lead in the 9th minute.

Liverpool did not lack in effort and applied pressure immediately, but Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was in exceptional form, producing a stunning one-on-one save to deny Luis Diaz from equalising. The frustration for Liverpool grew as the first half ended with the visitors still leading 1-0.

Second-Half Drama and Salah’s Impact

The second half saw a few changes for Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold entered the fray, marking what would likely be his last appearance for the club before his anticipated departure. The Anfield crowd greeted him with cheers, in contrast to the boos he had received earlier in the season when his departure had been confirmed. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Reds in the second half.

The match took a more dramatic turn in the 68th minute when Ryan Gravenberch, one of Liverpool’s key figures during their title-winning campaign, was sent off for a foul on Daichi Kamada just beyond the halfway line. The red card left Liverpool to play with ten men for a significant portion of the final stages of the match, threatening to undermine their chances of securing a result.

Mohamed Salah Seals Liverpool’s Draw

Despite being a man down, Liverpool continued to push forward, refusing to let the final moments of the season fizzle out. Their persistence paid off in the 84th minute when Mohamed Salah found himself in the right place at the right time. Following a precise assist from Cody Gakpo, Salah slotted home from close range to bring the scores level. It was a fitting moment for the Egyptian forward, who had been a talisman throughout the season, not just in goals, but in lifting the entire team when they needed him most.

With the match finishing in a draw, Liverpool’s title-winning campaign came to a close. While the game itself may not have been the high-octane conclusion fans might have hoped for, the celebrations that followed reflected the pride that the club and its supporters felt after a dominant season.

Reflection on a Historic Campaign

Liverpool’s 2024/25 season was one for the history books. Under the leadership of Arne Slot, the club not only secured the Premier League title but did so in style, with a commanding 5-1 victory over Tottenham that had all but sealed their fate weeks before the final match. Slot’s ability to bring tactical balance and consistency to the team was evident, with Mohamed Salah continuing to deliver moments of magic week in, week out.

The final day was more than just about football; it was about celebrating what had been a remarkable journey, acknowledging the contributions of key players like Salah, Gakpo, and Gravenberch, and reflecting on the unity the team had shown all season long. As Liverpool fans cheered their side off the pitch, it was clear that the Reds had achieved something special, and the future looked bright as they headed into the summer.