Liverpool moved closer to securing Champions League football next season with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, but will hope Mohamed Salah has not played his last game for the club.
Salah limped off in the second half at Anfield, clutching his hamstring, with less than a month left of his glittering Reds career.
Two goals in five minutes just before half-time strengthened Arne Slot’s men’s grip on a top five finish.
British transfer record signing Alexander Isak scored his first goal since returning from a leg break when he turned from the rebound after Alexis MacAllister’s initial effort had been blocked.
Andy Robertson then marked one of his final appearances at Anfield with a fine finish at the end of a deadly Liverpool counter-attack after third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman had denied Palace an equalizer.
Salah went to the ground just before the end, holding the back of his left leg and received a standing ovation as he made way for Jeremy Frimpong.
Daniel Munoz reduced the Eagles’ deficit despite Liverpool calling on Woodman for a foul 19 minutes from time.
But Florian Wirtz secured the three points deep into stoppage time with just his fifth Premier League goal since a £100m move from Bayer Leverkusen.
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The win moves Liverpool up to fourth place and opens an eight-point lead over sixth-placed Brighton with just four games of the season remaining.
Aston Villa falls to 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 match shortly before half-time, after Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins came close to Villa.
The result puts Villa on 58 points, level with third-placed Manchester United who have played an extra match.
Despite the disappointing result at Craven Cottage, Unai Emery’s side remain firmly on course for a top-five finish, which would guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League.
Fulham are now tenth, level on 48 points with neighbors Chelsea and just two behind sixth-placed Brighton in the battle for places in the Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
The London team has not played in European competition since 2011.
The Birmingham side will now turn their attention to the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest on Thursday.
Published on April 25, 2026
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