Liverpool Win Over Palace Marks A Key Step Toward Champions League Qualification, Says Robertson

Liverpool strengthened hopes of returning to the Champions League after beating Crystal Palace 3-1 at Anfield. The result moved Arne Slot’s team up to fourth in the Premier League. Liverpool also took advantage of Aston Villa’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage earlier on 25 April.

The victory extended Liverpool’s lead over sixth-placed Brighton to eight points, giving them control in the top-four race. The Opta supercomputer now rates Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for UEFA’s main club competition at 97.9%. It was also only their third run of back-to-back home league wins this season.

The scoring opened on 35 minutes when Alexander Isak finished to put Liverpool ahead. Soon after, Freddie Woodman saved a close-range header from Jean-Philippe Mateta. Liverpool then broke upfield quickly and Andy Robertson arrived to finish the move, capping a rapid counter-attack to make it 2-0 before half-time.

Crystal Palace pulled one back in unusual circumstances. Daniel Munoz lifted the ball into an empty net after Woodman was left on the ground. The goalkeeper had just denied Ismaila Sarr in a one-on-one. Anfield reacted angrily, yet the goal stood. Palace’s pressure followed, but Liverpool later restored a two-goal cushion.

Florian Wirtz eventually settled the match with a powerful drive into the top-left corner. That late strike confirmed a second straight Premier League home win for Liverpool, something they had achieved previously only in September and December. It also halted a four-game winless sequence against Palace in all competitions.

Woodman’s performance proved vital. The stand-in goalkeeper replaced the injured Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson Becker. Woodman produced five saves and used the ball well under pressure. One intervention directly led to Robertson’s goal. There were only 15 seconds between Woodman’s stop at 39:33 and Liverpool’s second goal at 39:48.

Robertson admitted Woodman’s contribution deserved special recognition and described the confidence within the squad. Robertson said: "Our objectives this season have changed due to our form, but the Champions League isimportant to this football club, and we've made a big step. We knew if we won, we could go above Villa. We want to chase the teams above us."

Liverpool’s success also ended a difficult recent run against Palace. Before this fixture, Liverpool had gone four matches without victory versus Palace in all competitions, drawing two and losing two. It was Liverpool’s first Anfield win over Palace since September 2021, underlining the importance of the result for the home support.

Robertson explained why Woodman did not receive a celebratory sprint after the second goal and praised the goalkeeper’s showing. Robertson said: "I was going to run to him but he was too far away, so I let him get the cheer off The Kop instead. We had full confidence in him. He made saves when he needed to and he was good with his feet. I don't know what happened to me, I turned into a striker."

The left-back has a strong record against Palace. Robertson now has nine Premier League goal involvements against Palace, more than against any other opponent. That tally includes one goal and eight assists. Robertson’s three goals in all competitions this season equal his best scoring return for Liverpool, matching 2019-20, 2021-22 and 2023-24.

Robertson, who confirmed earlier in April that this will be the final season at Liverpool, also addressed the debate around Munoz’s goal. Robertson said: "I was closest to him and I don't think he looked up before he hit the ball. In a game like this, you just hope it doesn't punish you. When these things happen, you want the right result. It's one of these things, I don't think there's anyone to blame."

The combination of clinical finishing, a standout display from Woodman and key contributions from Robertson and Wirtz leaves Liverpool in a strong league position. With an eight-point cushion over Brighton and a high statistical chance of Champions League qualification, Liverpool enter the final weeks with momentum and clear targets.