Arne Slot‘s tactical surprise proved a failure as Liverpool lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace, on an afternoon that saw Florian Wirtz again struggle to produce his best.Crystal Palace 2-1 LiverpoolPremier League (6) | Selhurst ParkSeptember 27, 2025Goals: Sarr 9′, Nketiah 90+7′; Chiesa 87′1. Slot got it wrong with the new formationCrystal Palace‘s 17-match unbeaten run coming into this game was perhaps the reason why Slot thought he needed to knock them off their rhythm by doing something completely unexpected.But it would be fair to say that his use of a box midfield in a 4-2-2-2 formation in the first half was an abject failure.Palace posted 1.6 xG to Liverpool’s 0.38 and had 10 shots to the visitors’ six in a first half that they completely dominated.No wonder Slot went back to something more familiar as soon as the half-time break arrived, and saw an immediate improvement as a result.When the Dutchman looks at the key reasons behind this defeat, it will be an experiment that resulted in his team giving up 45 minutes of the contest. 2. Half-time changes fixed thingsThat said, Slot does deserve some credit for fixing things so decisively at the half-time break, bringing about an uptick in performance that should have earned a point.Liverpool took 14 shots to Palace’s six in the second period, generating 1.87 xG to their 0.86 (0.5 of which was Eddie Nketiah’s late strike).That is why, had it not been for the defensive lapse at the end, the Reds could have come away feeling that they fully merited a share of the spoils.For that, the manager deserves perhaps as much credit as he will get criticism for a first-half display that was some way short of the expected standard. 3. Liverpool aren’t getting that ‘set-piece balance’Considering that Slot so frequently talks about his team’s need to, at the very least, score from as many set-pieces as they concede in games, what will he have made of this?As good as Crystal Palace were, the fact is they won the game through goals earned from a corner and long throw-in.And Liverpool simply cannot afford to concede so cheaply if they are to go on and defend their Premier League title.There is, of course, a new set-piece coaching team in place this season comprising Aaron Briggs and Lewis Mahoney, and the pressure will be on them to ensure this does not become a regular issue. 4. When will Wirtz arrive?Given a two-game break from the starting XI, it was hoped that this might be the moment for Wirtz to announce himself to the Premier League in a tricky away game.But the truth is the German let another opportunity pass him by, barring a few brief glimpses of quality – as has been the theme of his Liverpool career thus far.Other than missing a gilt-edged chance to level things, Wirtz was largely anonymous, taking two shots, creating one chance and generating 0.04 xA.And it is telling that Slot was all too happy to remove him from the field despite Liverpool penning Palace in as they looked for a late equaliser.It seems the adaptation process is not going to be a smooth one for the midfielder, and that supporters may be waiting a while to see his best football. 5. Guehi isn’t the only Palace player Liverpool should considerYou may have seen reports this week that Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has given his word to a Premier League club regarding a move next summer.And Liverpool fans will be praying it is them after find themselves on the wrong end of yet another masterclass from the young Englishman this afternoon.Wharton completed three out of three dribbles, created four chances, and won four out of five ground duels as he impressed in the centre of the hosts midfield.Still, it is also worth pointing out that he isn’t quite the orthodox holder some believe him to be, with his numbers resembling more of an attacking midfielder.Whether Liverpool have space for someone of that ilk this coming summer remains to be seen.