Arne Slot Blames Jeremie Frimpong as Liverpool’s Perfect Start Ends in Shock Defeat to Crystal Palace

Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the new season came to a crashing halt on Saturday evening at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace produced a stunning 2-1 victory over the Reds, leaving manager Arne Slot visibly frustrated and directing blame toward summer signing Jeremie Frimpong. The defeat not only ended Liverpool’s flawless start but also raised early questions about the Dutch full-back’s adaptation to Premier League football and whether his defensive frailties could prove costly in the weeks ahead.

The atmosphere at Selhurst Park was electric from the outset, with Palace fans sensing an opportunity to upset one of the league’s heavyweights. Liverpool, who had looked confident and composed in their opening fixtures, struggled to find rhythm against Oliver Glasner’s well-drilled Palace side. Despite enjoying large spells of possession, the Reds found themselves undone by lapses in concentration at the back, particularly on the right flank where Frimpong was stationed.

The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Palace’s dynamic winger Michael Olise exploited the space left behind by Frimpong, darting into the box before delivering a low cross that was converted by Jean-Philippe Mateta. The goal sent the home supporters into raptures and forced Liverpool to chase the game earlier than they had anticipated. Arne Slot, pacing nervously on the touchline, gestured angrily toward his defenders, urging them to tighten up.

Liverpool responded with their characteristic intensity, and moments of brilliance from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez kept Palace under pressure. The equaliser eventually came in the 39th minute when Núñez latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Alexis Mac Allister and slotted the ball past Sam Johnstone. The visitors appeared to have regained control, but their momentum would be short-lived.

Just minutes into the second half, Palace once again found joy down Liverpool’s right-hand side. Eberechi Eze, linking up superbly with Olise, ran directly at Frimpong, whose mistimed challenge allowed the Palace midfielder to breeze past him. Eze then unleashed a curling strike into the top corner, restoring Palace’s lead and reigniting the stadium. It was a moment of individual brilliance, but also a glaring reminder of Liverpool’s vulnerability in that area.

Slot’s frustration boiled over as the game wore on. Liverpool dominated possession, pushing Palace deeper and deeper into their own half, but chances were wasted as composure in front of goal deserted them. Salah came close with a free kick that rattled the crossbar, and substitute Diogo Jota forced a smart save late in the game. However, the equaliser never arrived, and when the final whistle blew, Selhurst Park erupted in celebration while Liverpool’s players slumped to the turf in disbelief.

In his post-match press conference, Arne Slot did not mince words. The Dutchman, known for his tactical discipline and focus on detail, pointed directly at Frimpong’s mistakes as a key factor in the defeat. “We lost control of the game on our right side,” Slot said with visible frustration. “When you play at this level, you cannot afford to switch off. Jeremie is a talented player, but today he made errors that cost us goals, and at Liverpool, that is unacceptable.” His blunt remarks immediately sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, with many questioning whether the manager was right to single out one player so openly.

Frimpong, who joined Liverpool in a big-money summer move from Bayer Leverkusen, had been expected to bring attacking flair and pace to the right flank, complementing the team’s attacking style. However, his defensive positioning has been under scrutiny since pre-season, and Saturday’s match seemed to expose those weaknesses on the biggest stage yet. While his forward runs were dangerous at times, leaving defenders scrambling, his inability to track back quickly enough left Liverpool exposed to Palace’s counterattacks.

For Crystal Palace, the victory was nothing short of monumental. Glasner’s men played with discipline, exploiting Liverpool’s gaps while remaining resilient under pressure. Olise and Eze were outstanding, tormenting Liverpool’s defense all evening, while Johnstone’s crucial saves ensured the visitors’ efforts were frustrated. Palace’s win lifted them further up the table and showed that they are not to be underestimated this season.

The defeat leaves Liverpool fans with mixed emotions. On one hand, it is still early in the campaign, and Slot’s side had looked dominant in their previous games, suggesting that this setback may be nothing more than a blip. On the other, Slot’s public criticism of Frimpong raises questions about dressing room unity and whether putting pressure on a new signing so publicly could backfire in the long run. Supporters on social media were quick to react, with some agreeing that Frimpong’s errors were costly, while others argued that blaming him alone overlooked the team’s collective struggles.

Former players and pundits weighed in as well, with Jamie Carragher urging patience. “Look, Frimpong is new to the league, and it takes time to adjust. He’s fantastic going forward, but defensively he has to learn quickly. Slot will know that, and maybe he shouldn’t be so harsh in public. But that’s the pressure of Liverpool—mistakes are magnified.”

The bigger picture for Liverpool is whether this result will derail their momentum. With fixtures against top-six rivals looming, Slot will need to rally his squad and find solutions quickly. Questions remain over whether Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been deployed in midfield under Slot, might be shifted back into defense to cover for Frimpong’s lapses, or if the manager will persist with his system and trust the Dutch full-back to improve.

As for Frimpong, this match could prove a defining moment early in his Liverpool career. His talent is undeniable, but at a club where expectations are sky-high, patience is often thin. Slot’s comments may either motivate him to step up and silence his critics or weigh him down further as scrutiny intensifies. The coming weeks will reveal whether he can adapt to the demands of Premier League football and justify the club’s investment.

For now, the headlines will focus on Liverpool’s shock defeat, Crystal Palace’s spirited performance, and the tension between manager and player that has suddenly become a talking point. The Reds remain contenders, but Saturday night at Selhurst Park served as a harsh reminder that perfection is fleeting in the Premier League and that even the smallest cracks can be ruthlessly exploited.

Liverpool’s season is far from derailed, but the loss will sting, not just because of the three points dropped, but because it exposed vulnerabilities that opponents will now be eager to exploit. Slot’s decision to single out Frimpong may linger longer than the defeat itself, as it sets the stage for how both manager and player respond in the coming games. Will it spark a stronger, more resilient Liverpool, or will it sow seeds of discord in a squad aiming for silverware? The answers will come soon enough, but for now, Liverpool’s perfect run is over, and the Premier League has once again proven why it remains the most unpredictable league in world football.