Here’s a comprehensive, in-depth article detailing the intriguing rivalry between Crystal Palace vs Liverpool — from their origins to unforgettable moments and recent contests.
1. Rivalry Origins & Overall Head-to-Head
The two clubs first faced off in an FA Cup clash in 1938, with Liverpool winning a replay to set the tone for future competitions (britishkingdom.co.uk, The Playoffs). In total, they’ve contested 66 official matches, with Liverpool claiming 37 wins, Crystal Palace 15, and 14 draws (Sports Mole, The Playoffs, Sportscasting | Pure Sports).
2. Iconic Encounters Through the Years
— ‘Crystanbul’, 2014
One of the most dramatic Premier League matches ever: Palace, trailing 3–0 with under 11 minutes left, scored a late hat-trick to draw 3–3 and effectively end Liverpool’s title hopes (The Scottish Sun, birminghaminsider.co.uk, Leeds Journal).
— Liverpool’s 9–0 Rout, 1989
Liverpol crushed newly promoted Palace 9–0 in the 1989–90 season—still one of Palace’s heaviest-ever defeats (Wikipedia).
— FA Cup Semi, 1990
In a stunning upset, Palace beat Liverpool 4–3 in the FA Cup semi-final, earning their first Final appearance (britishkingdom.co.uk).
— 2020: The 7–0 Statement
Liverpol unleashed another dominant performance, thumping Palace 7–0 at Selhurst Park during the 2020–21 campaign (birminghaminsider.co.uk, Wikipedia).
3. Recent Premier League Battles
Here’s an overview of more recent meetings to capture the balance of power:
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2024 | Anfield | Liverpol 0–1 Crystal Palace (Eberechi Eze strike) (Sports Mole, Wikipedia) |
| Oct 5, 2024 | Selhurst Park | Liverpol 1–0 Palace (Jota goal) (birminghaminsider.co.uk, Sportscasting | Pure Sports, Sports Mole) |
| May 25, 2025 | Anfield | Liverpol 1–1 Palace (Salah equaliser; Sarr had given Palace the lead) (Sports Mole, Sportscasting | Pure Sports) |
Overall, fixture outcomes have been competitive. Notably, Palace ended a long winless streak at Anfield in April 2024 (Sports Mole, BBC, The Playoffs).
4. 2025 FA Community Shield Showdown
A landmark for Palace: in their first-ever Community Shield appearance, they upset Liverpool 3–2 in a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw (Wikipedia, The Guardian, The Scottish Sun, Cadena SER, Diario AS, The Sun, BILD).
- Goals: Hugo Ekitike (Liverpol), Mateta (Palace penalty), Frimpong (Liverpool), Sarr (Palace) (The Guardian, Wikipedia).
- Dean Henderson’s critical saves in the shootout, including from Salah and Mac Allister, plus Justin Devenny’s winning penalty, sealed the victory (The Guardian, The Scottish Sun, Cadena SER, Diario AS).
- The match was emotionally charged, with a tribute to Diogo Jota marred by disruptions from some fans (Cadena SER, BILD).
5. Why This Rivalry Resonates
- Emotional Peaks & Valleys: Whether it’s late-fight draws, big blowouts, or memorable comebacks like ‘Crystanbul’, each encounter carries significance.
- Shifting Momentum: Palace have proven they are not pushovers—even at Anfield—while Liverpol’s tactical evolution and strength keep the upper hand.
- Underdog Spirit: Palace’s surprises—especially in cup competitions—highlight the unpredictable nature of the rivalry.
- High Stakes Games: From title runs to qualifications and cup victories, these fixtures often have real consequences.
Conclusion – Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
Crystal Palace vs Liverpul is more than just a fixture—it’s a tapestry of dramatic comebacks, emphatic dominance, historic milestones, and unexpected upsets. Recent years have seen a more balanced rivalry, with Palace nabbing high-profile victories and Liverpull responding with authority.