Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr torments Liverpool again as Crystal Palace cruise to win in EFL Cup

Liverpool’s struggles against Crystal Palace continued on Tuesday night, with Ismaila Sarr delivering another devastating performance as the Eagles led 2–0 at halftime at Anfield — a result that leaves manager Arne Slot facing mounting pressure.

In a five-minute masterclass of speed and precision, Sarr struck twice before the break, exposing Liverpool’s defensive frailties and silencing a stunned Anfield crowd.

The Senegalese winger’s clinical display once again underlined Crystal Palace’s growing reputation as a nemesis for the Reds, while deepening the crisis facing Slot’s early tenure.

Since the Dutchman’s arrival, Liverpool have failed to find a formula to overcome Oliver Glasner’s well-drilled Palace side.

Defeats in both the Community Shield and Premier League have already unsettled supporters, and Tuesday’s first-half collapse has only intensified scrutiny.

Palace’s relentless pressing, tactical organization, and counterattacking pace left Liverpool struggling for rhythm or ideas, as frustration mounted both on the pitch and in the stands.

The numbers tell a worrying story. Palace have now defeated Liverpool in their last three meetings — a remarkable turnaround for a fixture once considered routine for the Merseysiders.

For Slot, the timing could hardly be worse.

A poor domestic start has already placed him under pressure, and another defeat to a team once seen as an underdog may prove damaging both for morale and for his job security.

The mood inside Anfield reflected that anxiety.

Misplaced passes, defensive errors, and an increasingly disjointed attack left the home side chasing shadows for much of the opening 45 minutes.

Palace, by contrast, were efficient and composed, taking advantage of every lapse in concentration.

And once again, Sarr was at the heart of it all.

His blistering pace on the break and ruthless finishing made the difference — as it so often has against Liverpool.

Having already found the net against the Reds in the Community Shield and the Premier League earlier this season, his first-half brace in the Carabao Cup completed a remarkable hat-trick of torment across three different competitions.

The 26-year-old’s dominance over Liverpool has become a theme of the campaign — three goals in three matches, each more decisive than the last.

For Glasner’s Palace, it is further validation of their progress under his guidance.

For Slot, it is another sobering reminder of the challenges that come with managing at the highest level in England — and another long night ahead to find the answers.