Zing Muse – Liverpool fell 1-2 to Crystal Palace despite dominance. Did Arne Slot’s “Slot Times” strategy and late-goal habit finally backfire?

Liverpool stunned in stoppage time

Liverpool’s impressive start to the 2025/26 Premier League season was abruptly halted at Selhurst Park, where they suffered their first defeat of the campaign. Despite dictating play for most of the night, the Reds collapsed in the 90+7th minute when Eddie Nketiah delivered a crushing blow for Crystal Palace.

It was more than just a loss—it highlighted a potential flaw in Arne Slot’s philosophy, widely dubbed “Slot Times”: patient control followed by late drama.

“Slot Times” – from advantage to liability

Liverpool had thrilled fans with a series of late goals:

• Chiesa (88’),

• Salah (90+4’),

• an equalizer (90+5’),

• Ngumoha (90+10’),

• Van Dijk (90+2’ in the Champions League).

But this time, against Palace, the pattern was flipped. Liverpool equalized in the 87th minute only to be sunk at 90+7. The old saying “keep pushing your luck and it will run out” perfectly captured this painful twist.

Numbers reveal the hidden truth

The Reds dominated every statistical category:

• 72% possession,

• 688 passes with nearly 89% accuracy,

• clear territorial control.

Yet efficiency told a different story:

• Just 4 shots on target,

• Fewer dangerous chances created (xG: 6 vs 7 for Palace).

Slot stuck with a patient passing rhythm even when urgency was required. Their first-half xG was only 0.39, far below what is expected from a title-contending side chasing a deficit.

Palace exploited set-piece fragility

Both Palace goals came from dead-ball situations:

• Opening goal: Kamada’s corner found Sarr for the header.

• Winner: A long throw-in by Chris Richards caused chaos, and Nketiah pounced.

Ironically, Liverpool themselves had turned long throws into a weapon last season. Now they were undone by the very same tactic.

This was not an isolated issue—Newcastle had also punished Liverpool earlier this season with set-piece goals. Defensive weakness at dead balls is now a recurring theme.

A wake-up call for Arne Slot

This defeat doesn’t derail Liverpool’s campaign, but it does sound a clear warning:

1. Adjust “Slot Times”: Relying on slow build-up and late bursts won’t always work.

2. Fix set-piece vulnerability: Rivals are targeting this weakness relentlessly.

3. Score earlier: To reduce the risk of last-minute heartbreaks.

For Slot, the lesson is clear: Liverpool need greater tactical variety and sharper execution, not just patience and stoppage-time miracles.

Linda (Sports)