Carragher Flags Defensive Gaps Despite Liverpool’s Bright Attack in Community Shield Setback

Liverpool’s Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace was meant to be a curtain-raiser that showcased Arne Slot’s bold summer rebuild. Instead, it became a reminder that even a team stacked with attacking firepower can still have old vulnerabilities lurking under the surface.

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Under the Wembley arch, the Reds flew out of the traps. New arrival Hugo Ekitike announced himself with a blistering opener inside five minutes, sending the Liverpool end into early celebration.

Palace briefly halted the momentum with a penalty equaliser, but Jeremie Frimpong – another headline signing – restored the lead with a stunning strike from an almost impossible angle.

The timing made it even more poignant, landing during the 20th-minute applause in honour of Diogo Jota’s now-retired No. 20 shirt.

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For all their attacking sparkle, though, Liverpool struggled to put the game beyond reach. Palace struck back again through Ismaila Sarr, and with the scores locked, the trophy would be decided from the spot – where Palace held their nerve.

While the defeat won’t derail Liverpool’s ambitions for back-to-back Premier League titles, Jamie Carragher spotted a tactical red flag he’s been warning about all pre-season. Taking to X after the game, he wrote:

“LFC looking great going forward but susceptible defensively, as we’ve seen all pre-season. A lot of the goals conceded have come from going man to man really aggressively and leaving space in behind.”

Carragher highlighted one particular moment: Milos Kerkez being drawn inside, allowing Sarr to isolate Cody Gakpo out wide – a mismatch Palace were quick to exploit.

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Kerkez, signed from Bournemouth in June for £40m, is still bedding into the system. But with academy graduate Jarrell Quansah sold to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez struggling for fitness, Liverpool’s defensive depth looks thin.

Marc Guehi continues to be linked to Liverpool and several top clubs.

That might explain why Marc Guehi – who impressed in Palace’s back line on the day – is reportedly on the Merseyside Reds’ radar.

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The Community Shield may be a glorified friendly to some, but for Liverpool, it offered a useful reality check: Slot’s high-energy press and adventurous set-up can electrify in attack, but without defensive tweaks, it might also leave the door ajar for opportunistic opponents.