Opposition briefing: newly crowned Premier League Champions Liverpool

Match previews

23 May 2025

For the final time this season, Crystal Palace are in action with a trip to Anfield to face the Premier League title winners Liverpool ending our historic 2024/25 campaign – before kick-off it’s time to get the lowdown on our latest opponents…

Factfile

Manager: Arne Slot
Current Position: 1st (Champions)
Ground: Anfield
Founded: 1892 (133 years ago)

What’s the story?

At Anfield, there was a hope that the Jürgen Klopp era would never end. Winner of every major trophy, including a first Premier League title in 30 years back in 2020, he brought the good times back to the red half of Merseyside and instilled in the club a belief that they could overcome any adversity or opposition to succeed.

His departure at the end of last season was a major shock. Yet, remarkably, Arne Slot’s Reds have responded with one of the most emphatic Premier League title wins in history.

In truth, Liverpool have looked nailed on league champions from November.

They have had the occasional stumble, such as conceding in the last minute to drop points in the final derby at Goodison Park against Everton, or when they were well beaten by Fulham. But by that point the Reds had daylight between themselves and nearest challengers Arsenal.

In fact, two of their four league defeats have taken place after the title was already confirmed. Mohamed Salah has enjoyed arguably his best season to date, while both Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have ran the show in midfield.

Captain Virgil van Dijk is still as capable as ever at the back and has led by example, while Alisson remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Although a difficult week in March, which saw them exit the Champions League to PSG and lose the League Cup final to Newcastle United, means Slot will have to wait to win multiple honours in the same season he still has a lot to be proud of.

Following a 5-1 win over Tottenham last month, Liverpool were confirmed as champions of England for the 20th time. They will lift the trophy on the pitch in front of their supporters on Sunday, regardless of the result against your newly crowned FA Cup winners.

The boss

Klopp was previously thought to be a near-impossible act to follow, but Arne Slot has had a dream first season in the Reds' hotseat.

The Dutchman transformed Feyenoord both in terms of playing style and silverware, reaching the Europa Conference League final in his first season and winning the title in his second, while playing an attractive, attacking brand of football.

Now he has delivered a league title in his very first season in charge. The last man to do that at Anfield was legendary boss Joe Fagan.

He may not appear quite as exuberated on the touchline during games, but the way he has led his team this season has already won him a place in the hearts of the Anfield faithful.

Boot in both camps

Christian Benteke was almost signed by Jürgen Klopp for Borussia Dortmund, and although the move fell through he was soon reunited with the German at Liverpool. Benteke signed in the summer of 2015 alongside future Palace teammate Nathaniel Clyne, but fell out of favour under Klopp and departed the following summer after a single season at Anfield.

His arrival at Crystal Palace was for a club-record fee, and he went on to score 37 times for the club, including one of the greatest last-minute winners away at Brighton in 2021.

Palace academy graduate Victor Moses also spent a season-long loan at Liverpool, during which time they came very close to winning the Premier League title. However, a defeat to Chelsea with Steven Gerrard's slip and Crystanbul would deny them in the closing weeks.

Check out more of the Palace heroes to pull on a Liverpool shirt by clicking HERE.

01 / 04

Record against Palace

The Eagles will be looking to make it back-to-back away victories against Liverpool after coming out on top at Anfield last March.

Palace were written off by many pundits before travelling to face Liverpool as Jürgen Klopp’s side aimed to keep up the pressure at the top of the table. The Eagles had alternative plans, however.

Oliver Glasner’s side scored one of the best goals Anfield had witnessed all season, as a free-flowing team move saw Liverpool carved open, with quick, one-touch football creating space for Ebere Eze to slot home in front of the Kop.

Palace’s defensive commitment in the second-half was phenomenal, with last-ditch challenges and goalline clearances preserving the lead and earning a fantastic three points.

2 minute highlights: Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace

In the reverse game earlier this season, Liverpool claimed the three points. Diogo Jota struck after just nine minutes at Selhurst Park after turning in Cody Gakpo's cross.

The two games between the club in the 2022/23 season both ended in draws - Wilfried Zaha scoring on Merseyside in the away fixture, a 1-1 stalemate.

Did you know?

Liverpool were founded in a split with Everton. In 1892, Anfield was already hosting sell-out games on Merseyside – but the home side was Everton, not Liverpool. However, when the committee fell out with Club President and owner of the land at Anfield John Houlding, Everton relocated across Stanley Park to Goodison Park.

Left with an empty stadium, Houlding found himself in a tricky situation, and launched a new club as a result: ‘Everton FC and Athletic Grounds Ltd’, known as Everton Athletic for short.

When the Football Association refused to recognise a second club called Everton, they changed names and became Liverpool FC instead.

It’s a familiar sight on matchdays at Anfield: scarves aloft, banners waving and You’ll Never Walk Alone belted out from the Kop End. However, they were not the first English club to adopt the song as a pre-kick-off ritual.

In fact, their biggest rivals got there first. The tune was first written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for the 1945 musical Carousel, and was consistently one of the most popular songs of the era. In 1958, following the Munich Air Disaster which saw eight Manchester United players and 15 others lose their lives, the song was performed in tribute.

Members of an operatic society headed to Old Trafford for the first home match after the tragedy, and the fans in the stadium – familiar with the tune – joined in the singing in an act of solidarity.

The song first became a part of Liverpool folklore when local group Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded their 1963 cover, which reached number one in the UK charts.

Bill Shankly heard a preview of the new record, and decided to incorporate it into the club. “Gerry my son,” Shankly told lead singer Gerry Marden, “I have given you a football team and you have given us a song.”

The song was later adopted by Celtic after their 1966 Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool, and is still sung by fans of Borussia Dortmund.

Match details

Sunday, 25th May
16:00 BST
Anfield
Sky Sports
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

Related News

More News