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Post-Match Analysis: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – Community Shield

 

 

By Analysteye

 

 

 

Liverpool and Crystal Palace delivered a dramatic curtain-raiser to the season: a 2–2 draw at Wembley, followed by a 3–2 penalty shoot-out win for Palace.

 

What We Learned About Liverpool

 

• Attacking Promise: The Reds looked electric in attack. New signings, Hugo Ekitiké and Florian Wirtz were bright sparks—both involved in Liverpool’s first goal, combining seamlessly in forward moves.
• Defensive Worries: The performance laid bare structural vulnerabilities. Defensive gaps, especially in the absence of midfield anchors like Gravenberch and Mac Allister, allowed Crystal Palace to exploit wide spaces and counter effectively. Van Dijk appeared uncomfortable, and lapses led to both Palace goals.
• Early Adjustment Stage: Manager Arne Slot acknowledged the need for defensive refinements. With five new starters and a shift to a 4-2-3-1 system, early inconsistencies are expected — especially as key personnel get settled.
• Mental Test: Despite the loss, skipper Virgil van Dijk highlighted that today’s result isn’t definitive, pushing the team to refocus ahead of the Premier League kick-off.
   

Player Ratings (Liverpool vs Crystal Palace)

 

Florian Wirtz - 8.5 - Controlled the game from advanced midfield, created chances, and orchestrated attacks. 

Hugo Ekitiké - 7.5 - Clinical on debut—scored early and moved intelligently in the box. 

Jeremie Frimpong - 7.0 - Energetic and adventurous on attack; scored but left defensive gaps. 

Dominik Szoboszlai - 6.5 - Laid the link between midfield and attack, pressed well. 

Curtis Jones - 7.0 - Absolutely precise—completed all 53 passes, solid defensively. 

Milos Kerkez - 6.0 - Active offensively but found Palace’s wing-play challenging. 

Ibrahima Konaté - 6.0 - Steady and composed, with timely interventions. 

Virgil van Dijk - 4.5 - A poor outing—two major mistakes, conceded a penalty. 

Alisson Becker - 6.0 - Reliable with distribution; slightly off on penalties. 

Mohamed Salah - 4.0 - Quiet and ineffective, missed a crucial chance and his penalty. 

 

Standouts: Wirtz was arguably the man of the match, while Ekitiké's debut showed real threat up front. Lowest: Van Dijk and Salah underwhelmed. 

 

What to Expect Going Into the New Season

 

Offense: Encouraging Depth

The new attacking injected flair and energy—suggesting a multi-dimensional attacking unit that could dominate.
 

Defense: Urgent Reinforcement Needed

Defensive lapses and lack of a midfield shield were exposed. With injuries and a thin centre-back roster, Liverpool may prioritize a signing in that area—reports cite interest in youth talent Giovanni Leoni.
 

Tactical Adaptation Period

Slot’s system is evolving. Shifting to a new formation with fresh players inevitably brings inconsistencies. As preseason demonstrated, defensive looseness currently overshadows attacking cohesion.
 

Momentum vs Realignment

While the defeat is disappointing, it’s more valuable as a learning experience than a result. Liverpool have time to stabilize ahead of the competitive season opener.
 

Final Thoughts

 

• Attack is electrifying — fresh and fluid front-line options give Liverpool a clear edge.
• Defensive recalibration essential — exposures today must be tightened quickly to avoid early-season slip-ups.
• New season promise — if Slot can settle the backline and key midfielders return, Liverpool could be even stronger.