Liverpool is on the verge of clinching the Premier League title after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool side watched with anticipation, hoping for an Arsenal defeat that would secure their record-tying 20th English league championship.
While they didn’t get to celebrate immediately, Liverpool appears highly likely to win the trophy for the first time since 2020, thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late equalizing goal for Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool currently holds a 12-point lead over second-place Arsenal, who have only four games remaining and a significantly inferior goal difference (+34 compared to Liverpool’s +44).
The Reds, with five matches left to play, will guarantee their place alongside Manchester United with 20 league titles if they avoid defeat against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
Although the celebrations are on hold for Slot’s team, it seems inevitable that Liverpool will secure the title soon, especially after Arsenal’s third draw in their last four league matches.
Jakub Kiwior gave Arsenal an early lead, but Eberechi Eze equalized for Palace. Leandro Trossard put Arsenal back in front before halftime, only for substitute Mateta to score a stunning equalizer with seven minutes remaining.
Arsenal had previously delayed Liverpool’s title celebrations by decisively beating Ipswich 4-0 on Sunday. Had Arsenal lost that match and Liverpool defeated Leicester, the title race would have concluded.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team prolonged Liverpool’s wait by a few more days, but their primary focus was reportedly already on their upcoming Champions League quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal is set to make their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009 when they host the French club for the first leg on Tuesday.
Despite the crucial Champions League match, Arteta had insisted he wouldn’t rest key players against Palace. However, Bukayo Saka started on the bench after sustaining a knock against Ipswich, while Mikel Merino and Ben White were unavailable due to fitness issues.
With Palace facing an FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on Saturday, their manager, Oliver Glasner, started without key attacking players Mateta and Ismaila Sarr.
Arsenal appeared poised to capitalize on Palace’s FA Cup focus, taking the lead after just three minutes.
It was another successful set-piece goal for Arsenal, their league-leading 16th of the season. Martin Odegaard delivered a free-kick into the Palace box, and an unmarked Kiwior headed the ball past Dean Henderson from 12 yards.
Kiwior’s first league goal since February 2024 was almost immediately countered by a Palace equalizer, but David Raya saved Daniel Munoz’s close-range volley.
While effective on attacking set-pieces, Arsenal conceded from one in the 27th minute. Adam Wharton found an unmarked Eze on the edge of the area, and the England midfielder’s volley went in off the post, eluding Raya.
Trossard restored Arsenal’s lead in the 42nd minute, receiving a pass from Jurrien Timber, skillfully evading two Palace defenders, and scoring a deflected shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Arteta took a risk by bringing on Saka for the final half-hour, but Palace created the more dangerous chances, with Justin Devenny’s header being tipped over by Raya.
Henderson then made an excellent save to deny Saka’s volley.
Palace capitalized on this escape in the 83rd minute when William Saliba carelessly lost possession, allowing Mateta to chip a brilliant finish over the out-of-position Raya from 30 yards, bringing Liverpool to the brink of the Premier League title.
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