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Liverpool's projected Premier League points total has taken a significant hit following the team's first defeat of the season at Crystal Palace.
The Reds were on the brink of snatching a draw at Selhurst Park, only to concede again in the seventh minute of added time. Ismaila Sarr gave Palace an early lead, and if not for Alisson, Liverpool might have found itself with too much ground to make up before half-time.
Arne Slot's attacking substitutions shifted the momentum in favour of the visitors, who finally equalized through Federico Chiesa in the 87th minute. Until now, it was the Reds who had been the masters of late goals, but on Saturday, they were outdone by their hosts when a long throw-in routine resulted in Eddie Nketiah smashing home a winner in injury time.
This result brings an end to Liverpool's perfect winning run and gives the club's expected challengers a chance to close the gap at the top of the Premier League.
Manchester City took advantage of this opportunity by thrashing Burnley 5-1 at the Etihad while events were unfolding in London. Pep Guardiola's players are now just five points behind Liverpool's tally of 15.
On Sunday, it will be Arsenal's turn, as last season's runner-up travels to St. James' Park to take on Newcastle. The Gunners have the opportunity to move within two points of the Reds.
While it's still early days in the Premier League season, Opta Analysts have updated their predictions for the final 2025-26 table following last weekend's results.
They suggest that Slot's men are on track to clinch the title once more, leading Arsenal by a significant eight points.
However, Liverpool's defeat to Crystal Palace has seen the team's projected total tumble to 79 (78.66). Despite this setback, the Reds are still tipped to secure the title, albeit with a reduced five-point lead over Arsenal's predicted 74 (74.04).
Manchester City is forecasted to finish third with a score of 68 (67.69), while Palace has leapt up to fourth place (63), surpassing Chelsea (58).
Liverpool's chances of lifting the Premier League trophy are currently pegged at 50.43 percent - a drop from 60.5 percent just a week ago.
Nevertheless, the Reds remain the firm favorites ahead of the Gunners, who are considered the next most likely champions with a 27.4 percent chance.
Reflecting on the loss at Selhurst Park, Slot said: "We can only blame ourselves by defending as we did. One of our players decided to run out as he wanted to play on the counter-attack, which was no use as time was out.
"It was only about defending at that point and maybe one player was too offensively-minded at that moment and it led to them scoring the winner and us losing the game.
"It was in extra time of extra time what we conceded, which I think was fair as they made a sub and I assume they scored between 96 minutes and 96 minutes 30 seconds."
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