The Community Shield is football’s annual illusionist—draping Wembley in grandeur, parading new signings, and tempting fans into sweeping conclusions before the Premier League has even tied its boots. Yet Liverpool penalty defeat to Crystal Palace offered a reality check: while the attack already hums with promise, the defense still has a few loose screws rattling in the toolbox.
Liverpool attackers look ready for prime time
Hugo Ekitiké and Florian Wirtz didn’t just debut—they practically sent postcards announcing their arrival. Ekitiké scored, Jeremie Frimpong scored, and Wirtz created chances with the kind of vision that makes defenders wish for sunglasses. The front line looks slick, inventive, and downright cheeky.
Liverpool midfield still under construction
Here’s the rub: the new 4-2-3-1 system thrives on balance, and without Ryan Gravenberch and a fully fit Alexis Mac Allister, that balance tilted. Curtis Jones played with metronomic precision—53 passes completed without a miss—but once he was subbed off, Palace waltzed into central spaces like they owned the lease.
Liverpool defense meets reality check
Virgil Van Dijk found himself caught between stepping forward to plug midfield holes and guarding against the lurking Ismaïla Sarr. The result? Spaces opened up like an overbooked festival lawn. The aggressive man-to-man press left gaps behind, and Palace gleefully exploited them. It’s not terminal—it’s August—but it’s a warning flare.
The verdict: patience required
Four new starters in one match is like moving in with four strangers—you’re bound to bump into each other in the kitchen. Liverpool under Arne Slot is clearly evolving, and the early fireworks up front may outshine the defensive fumbles soon enough. But for now, fans should buckle in for a ride that might feature both goal fests and defensive heartburn.
Because, as the Community Shield reminds us every year, August football is just the first chapter—and Liverpool’s story is only beginning.
As featured on Walkon.com
