UK Top 10 News

Liverpool’s perfect start to the 2025-26 Premier League campaign came to an abrupt end at Selhurst Park, suffering a 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace, a loss that has already ignited criticism from former players.
Manager Arne Slot pointed to a specific, systemic flaw in his side’s performance, openly bemoaning Liverpool’s ongoing struggles when ‘defending set pieces.’ The Reds were undone by two decisive goals that originated from such situations: a corner and a long throw, with Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah capitalising to put an end to the champions’ unassailable run of five straight wins.
The defeat saw the Reds' five-point gap at the top of the table narrow, with Crystal Palace climbing to second place.
The performance of French defender Ibrahima Konate was singled out for particularly harsh criticism.
Former Liverpool star Michael Owen took aim at the centre-back, blasting his role in the loss as a ‘horror show.’ Up until Saturday afternoon’s defeat, the Reds had appeared unassailable, making Konate’s performance and the team’s defensive lapse at crucial moments all the more jarring.
Slot's diagnosis of the set-piece problem suggests a key area that needs immediate attention from the coaching staff, especially given how tightly contested the Premier League title race is expected to be.
The combined effect of the first defeat and the public criticism aimed at a key defensive player like Konate ensures that the team’s next match will be under intense scrutiny as they attempt to recover from the setback and address the fundamental defensive issues highlighted by their manager.