There weren’t many positives for the media to find from Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat away to Crystal Palace, with a poor performance finally punished.The Reds were well below par for much of Saturday’s game, and frankly, a draw would have ultimately felt harsh on Palace.While Liverpool had won all seven matches before their trip to Selhurst Park, there had been signs that a defeat could be coming.Here’s how the media reacted to Liverpool’s first loss of the season. This is a result that could arguably have been predictedOn X, the Athletic’s James Pearce felt Palace were more than worthy of their win:“Arne Slot continuing his protests to referee Chris Kavanagh after the final whistle but Liverpool only have themselves to blame for that defeat.“Better second-half display but still miles off the level required. So many sloppy errors. Palace deserved their victory.”BBC Sport‘s Phil McNulty said that the champions couldn’t keep winning when below their best:“Liverpool have lived on the edge all season as late goals have rescued victories, but there was no escape here and the reigning champions did not deserve one either.“It briefly looked like another late strike, this time from Chiesa, would earn a fortunate point, but their defence failed to clear a long throw and Nketiah pounced for his first goal since May…“In some ways, this was a Liverpool defeat that was coming having lived so dangerously this season – but it will be no less disappointing for Slot in the manner of the outcome.” Meanwhile, the Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle was of the same thought process:“LFC almost got away with it today but you can’t keep on relying on late goals to get things done. Especially when so many players were so bad for so long.”That said, David Lynch thought a draw would have been fair, perhaps judging by their dominance in the second half:“Thought Liverpool were going to earn a fully deserved point there for a much-improved second-half performance, but it’s such poor defending at the end and you leave yourself open to that if you completely give away 45 minutes of the game.”The Telegraph‘s Tim Wigmore suggested that the result was no disaster, however, given Palace’s superb form:“Perhaps Marc Guehi will be glad with the result of transfer deadline day after all. Four weeks after Liverpool failed to sign him, the Crystal Palace captain led his side to an intoxicating 2-1 victory, sealed virtually with the game’s final kick…“Liverpool had to accept not just the end of their perfect start to their title defence, but leaving south-east London without even a point.“Then again, perhaps Liverpool should not be surprised: Palace’s victory lifted them to second in the table at full time.”Andy Jones of the Athletic claimed that Liverpool have a potential set-piece problem:“For Liverpool, it was a second goal conceded from the second phase of a set piece in the match…“Late-goal victories had been central to Liverpool’s start to the season, leading to questions about how sustainable that 100 per cent run was.“Conceding a second set-piece goal in the match — an area of the game that was a concern for them entering the season — was not what champions do and leaves Slot with plenty to ponder.” Some individuals had tough afternoons for LiverpoolOn X, author Paul Grech said Liverpool have been humbled a little this week, in terms of young new signings making mistakes:“Week of lessons this. Ekitike not to exaggerate. And Kerkez that when you have ball in final minute you boot it as far upfield as possible.”Reporter Keith Costigan was not impressed by Ibrahima Konate‘s latest sloppy performance, while Mohamed Salah also struggled:“Konate a real concern in these games. Shambolic defending and erratic on the ball.“Salah never really in game again but is never taken off. Lots to unpack from that one.”