The Reds ended their Premier League 2 campaign with a home encounter against Crystal Palace at the AXA Training Centre, as Rob Page’s side slipped to a second successive loss
14:58, 22 Mar 2026Updated 16:59, 22 Mar 2026
Trey Nyoni was missing for Liverpool Under-21s as it lost to Crystal Palace on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool finished its 2025/26 season Premier League 2 season with a whimper as it lost 5-1 to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
After such a positive second half of the season, the Reds were powerless to cope with the Eagles’ strength and power, as they followed up Monday’s loss to Manchester City with a second defeat in a week.
It was an action-packed start at Kirkby, with three goals inside the opening 17 minutes. Palace’s Dean Benamar began proceedings when he fastened onto a long ball downfield, before he controlled and finished coolly beyond Armin Pecsi.
The Reds responded quickly when Palace goalkeeper Harry Lee gifted Kieran Morrison the ball just yards from his own goal. His misplaced pass fell invitingly at the feet of the Northern Ireland international, ahead of his first meet-up with the senior squad next week.
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However, Morrison’s calm finish was immediately undone when Tyler Whyte poked in at the back post following a scruffy corner that restored Palace’s lead.
The visitors were the better side throughout, and it not for Pecsi, the Eagles’ advantage could have been greater. The Hungarian stopper was twice on hand to deny Palace’s Zach Marsh, and also palm away a dangerous cross into the area.
Liverpool, the league’s best side since the turn of the year, lacked its usual zip and poise. The absence of Trey Nyoni, now a first-team regular, certainly contributed to the Reds’ reduced control, while the presence of experienced Mali international Cheick Doucoure in the opposition line-up helped Palace implement a physical approach.
Morrison scored Liverpool’s only goal of the game(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The midfielder is continuing his recovery from a torn meniscus in January 2025 and played his third game in a row. Palace’s more robust style came to the fore again almost immediately after the half-time whistle, as Charlie Walker-Smith rose highest in the box to head in the visitors’ third of the afternoon.
Liverpool, keen to avoid a second successive defeat, especially considering it previously went nine unbeaten, pushed to reduce the arrears, with Josh Sonni-Lambie firing a volley just wide, before Will Wright’s first-time finish was well saved by Lee.
But Rob Page’s more diminutive youngsters simply could not deal with Palace’s power. Pesci denied Ben Casey following a slick breakaway, but could do nothing to stop Palace’s fourth, as Kaden Rodney converted from the spot, after Kyle Kelly fouled Joesph Gibbard in the area.
Moments later it was five, as Eyimofe Jemide picked out Casey with a superb through ball that sliced through Liverpool’s center. Pecsi was again on hand to keep out the initial effort, but watched forlornly as Jemiah Umolu tapped in a fifth.
A livid Rob Page stormed back into the youth-team building at full-time, seething at the Reds’ tepid second-half showing. He will have to wait for around a month for the beginning of the play-offs, with the Premier League 2 season not due to conclude for another month as the remaining fixtures take place.
The Reds have guaranteed a top-eight finish and a home tie in the play-offs, with no date yet set for when they will commence.
Liverpool team
Pecsi; Ramsay, Pinnington (Ndiaye), Nallo, Pitt; Kelly (Laffey), Pilling; Morisson, Sonni-Lambie (Ahmed), Onanuga (Bradshaw); Wright.