Premier League 2025-26: Liverpool beats Crystal Palace to close in on Champions League; Aston Villa slips up against Fulham Liverpool moved ever closer to securing Champions League football next season with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, but will be hoping Mohamed Salah has not played his final game for the club.
Salah limped off in the second half at Anfield, holding his hamstring, with less than a month of his glittering career with the Reds remaining.
Two goals in five minutes just before half-time tightened the grip of Arne Slot’s men on a top-five finish.
British transfer record signing Alexander Isak scored his first goal since returning from a leg break as he turned home on the rebound after Alexis MacAllister’s initial effort was blocked.
Andy Robertson then marked one of his final appearances at Anfield with a fine finish at the end of a lethal Liverpool counter-attack after third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman had denied Palace an equaliser.
Salah went to the ground just before the hour mark, holding the back of his left leg and was given a standing ovation as he made way for Jeremie Frimpong.
Daniel Munoz reduced the Eagles’ arrears despite Liverpool appeals for a foul on Woodman 19 minutes from time.
But Florian Wirtz secured the three points deep into stoppage time with just his fifth Premier League goal since a £100 million move from Bayer Leverkusen.
ALSO READ | Fernandes hopes Portugal wins FIFA World Cup 2026 to crown Ronaldo’s international career
Victory moves Liverpool up to fourth and opens up an eight-point lead on sixth-placed Brighton with just four games of the season remaining.
Aston Villa falls against Fulham
Aston Villa missed the chance to climb to third in the Premier League on Saturday, losing 1-0 at Fulham as Marco Silva’s men kept their European dream alive.
Ryan Sessegnon scored the only goal of the game shortly before half-time after Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins had gone close for Villa.
The result leaves Villa on 58 points, level with third-placed Manchester United having played a game extra.
Despite the disappointing result at Craven Cottage, Unai Emery’s team remain firmly on course for a place in the top five, which would guarantee a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Fulham is now 10th, level on 48 points with neighbours Chelsea and just two behind sixth-placed Brighton in the scrap for places in the Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
The London side has not played in European competition since 2011.
The Birmingham side will now turn its attention to the first leg of its Europa League semifinal against Nottingham Forest on Thursday.
Published on Apr 25, 2026
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Liverpool moved ever closer to securing Champions League football next season with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, but will be hoping Mohamed Salah has not played his final game for the club.
Salah limped off in the second half at Anfield, holding his hamstring, with less than a month of his glittering career with the Reds remaining.
Two goals in five minutes just before half-time tightened the grip of Arne Slot’s men on a top-five finish.
British transfer record signing Alexander Isak scored his first goal since returning from a leg break as he turned home on the rebound after Alexis MacAllister’s initial effort was blocked.
Andy Robertson then marked one of his final appearances at Anfield with a fine finish at the end of a lethal Liverpool counter-attack after third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman had denied Palace an equaliser.
Salah went to the ground just before the hour mark, holding the back of his left leg and was given a standing ovation as he made way for Jeremie Frimpong.
Daniel Munoz reduced the Eagles’ arrears despite Liverpool appeals for a foul on Woodman 19 minutes from time.
But Florian Wirtz secured the three points deep into stoppage time with just his fifth Premier League goal since a £100 million move from Bayer Leverkusen.
ALSO READ | Fernandes hopes Portugal wins FIFA World Cup 2026 to crown Ronaldo’s international career
Victory moves Liverpool up to fourth and opens up an eight-point lead on sixth-placed Brighton with just four games of the season remaining.
Aston Villa falls against Fulham
Aston Villa missed the chance to climb to third in the Premier League on Saturday, losing 1-0 at Fulham as Marco Silva’s men kept their European dream alive.
Ryan Sessegnon scored the only goal of the game shortly before half-time after Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins had gone close for Villa.
The result leaves Villa on 58 points, level with third-placed Manchester United having played a game extra.
Despite the disappointing result at Craven Cottage, Unai Emery’s team remain firmly on course for a place in the top five, which would guarantee a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Fulham is now 10th, level on 48 points with neighbours Chelsea and just two behind sixth-placed Brighton in the scrap for places in the Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
The London side has not played in European competition since 2011.
The Birmingham side will now turn its attention to the first leg of its Europa League semifinal against Nottingham Forest on Thursday.
Published on Apr 25, 2026

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