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LONDON: Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Crystal Palace were deserving 2-1 winners as the Premier League champions’ perfect start to the season came to an abrupt end at Selhurst Park.
Slot’s men had won all seven of their Premier League, Champions League and League Cup games since losing on penalties to Palace in the Community Shield last month.
However, a new-look Liverpool, overhauled by a near £450 million ($602 million) spend in the transfer market, have flirted with failure only to be bailed out by a series of late goals.
Ismaila Sarr’s ninth-minute opener was scant reward for a dominant first half from Palace as only a string of saves from Alisson Becker kept the visitors in the game.
It looked like Liverpool might escape south London with a point after Federico Chiesa levelled with another late goal.
But this time the Reds were undone in stoppage time when Eddie Nketiah smashed in.
“If one team deserved to win today it was Palace,” said Slot.
“Credit to Palace — with the Community Shield it’s not the first time we’ve lost to them.
“They deserved to be two or three up in the first half.”
Including the Community Shield, Liverpool have conceded two goals in five of their nine games this season.
Slot was particularly angered by his side’s defending for the winner when Jeremie Frimpong switched off to leave Nketiah unmarked at the back post.
“We can only blame ourselves for defending the way we did,” said Slot.
“One of our players ran out because he wanted to play a counter-attack, which was of no use because time was up, so it was only about defending.
“One player was too offensively minded in that moment, which led to them scoring the winner and us losing the game.”
Palace are the only unbeaten team left in the Premier League.
Stretching back to before their FA Cup win last season, the Eagles have not lost in 18 games in all competitions.
“These are the moments why we love football. The fans will have a great Saturday evening now,” said Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
“We deserved it. Great performance, great game, great win.”
Glasner has transformed Palace’s fortunes over the past 18 months, but believes his side’s first-half display was a new high.
“I think the first half was the best half since we arrived,” he said.
“Leading the champions by one goal you always think they can strike back and we were under immense pressure in the second half.
“But even when they equalized and the momentum can change we kept our heads. It was such a team effort.”

DUBAI: Pakistan captain Salman Agha condemned India’s refusal to shake hands with their arch-rivals, calling it “not good for cricket” before Sunday’s high-stakes Asia Cup final in Dubai.

Political tension and on-field friction have stalked the teams at the regional tournament following a deadly military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors in May.

India angered Pakistan by not shaking hands in either of the first two meetings between the teams in the UAE. Unbeaten India won comfortably in the group stage and did so again in the Super Four round.

The tension increased when players exchanged words during last Sunday’s clash, with India filing an official complaint over gestures made by Pakistan duo Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan.

Agha said the lack of handshakes had left him perplexed.

“I have been playing competitive cricket since 2007 and have never seen a game go without a handshake,” Agha said on Saturday, speaking for the first time on the controversy.

“It is not good for cricket. Even in worst times between Pakistan and India, players have shaken hands. My father is a great fan of cricket, and he never told me that such a thing happened.”

Agha said players must be careful not to cross the line when it comes to discipline.

“I think every individual has his own style. If someone wants to be aggressive on the ground, then why not. If you control the aggression of a fast bowler, then nothing is left.

“Every player knows how to deal with his emotions. I give free hand to my players to react on the ground unless he is disrespecting other players and the country.”

The Pakistan skipper said his team will follow the protocols for a captains’ photo shoot with the trophy on Sunday, which India is likely to boycott.

“They do what they want to do,” said Agha. “We will do what is in our protocol. Rest is up to them, if they want to come for that it’s up to them. If they do not want to come, don’t come.”

India have won all six of their matches at the tournament and are heavy favorites going into the final. They have not lost to Pakistan in seven white-ball matches dating back to 2022.

“It’s a final so there will be the same amount of pressure on both the teams,” said Agha. “I think the pressure of the final is different. We will try our best to win this.”