Liverpool vs Palace: Player Ratings & Remedies

Liverpool’s curtain-raiser for the 25/26 season began with promise—and new attacking spark—but ultimately ended in disappointment. After a pulsating 2–2 draw in regular time, Liverpool fell 3–2 in the penalty shoot-out, handing Crystal Palace their first-ever Community Shield victory.

The early signs were bright. Within four minutes, debutant Hugo Ekitike struck the opener with a composed finish, showcasing the fluid interplay with fellow newcomer Florian Wirtz that hinted at a revitalized attacking engine. Liverpool looked incisive and collective, pressing forward with confidence.

But the lead was short-lived. In the 17th minute, a foul by Virgil van Dijk conceded a penalty, dispatched coolly by Jean-Philippe Mateta to level up the contest. Liverpool responded quickly, though. In the 21st minute, Jeremie Frimpong delivered a standout moment—his looping cross-shot from the flank found the net and restored the edge.

The narrative shifted as the second half unfolded. Despite maintaining territorial control, Liverpool’s aggressive full-back structure invited Palace to grow into the game. That pressure culminated in the 77th minute, as Ismaïla Sarr planted a low, incisive finish past Alisson—penalizing the spaces left behind and resetting the scoreboard.

With the full 90 minutes complete, the match moved directly into a shoot-out. Liverpool's composure faltered: Mohamed Salah’s attempt sailed over, while Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott were thwarted by Dean Henderson. In contrast, Palace's substitute Justin Devenny coolly slotted the winning kick to secure the trophy.

Player Ratings

• Alisson – 7.5/10

Made saves both in open play and during the shoot-out, maintaining composure when Liverpool most needed it - however he ultimately did not have much to do.

• Jeremie Frimpong – 7/10

Dynamic and decisive—his curling finish re-established Liverpool’s lead and showcased his attacking strengths.

• Virgil van Dijk – 5.5/10

Solid in general defensive duels but misjudged in the penalty incident—an uncharacteristic lapse in command.

• Milos Kerkez – 7/10

Livewire up the flank, contributing to Liverpool’s width; however, defensive transitions exposed him intermittently - loved his energy.

• Florian Wirtz – 8/10

Creative firework from the start—his assist for Ekitike’s goal and control in midfield highlighted his quality. He is something special (as if we didn't already know that).

• Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.5/10

Engine in midfield, helping maintain tempo; influence waned and made poor decisions as Palace grew in confidence.

• Curtis Jones – 6/10

Industrious and tenacious, covering ground well but lacked creative penetration in final third.

• Mohamed Salah – 5/10

Largely ineffective in attack, with few meaningful touches and an unfortunate miss in the shoot-out.

• Hugo Ekitike – 8/10

Marked his debut with a composed and well-taken opener, injecting goal-threats and creativity into Liverpool’s frontline - an absolute livewire.

• Cody Gakpo – 7/10

Showed good link-up play and movement yet struggled to translate involvement into clear scoring opportunities.

• Alexis Mac Allister (sub) – 4.5/10

Added fresh legs but offered minimal influence and had his spot-kick saved in the shoot-out.

• Harvey Elliott (sub) – 4/10

Limited impact following introduction and failed to convert his penalty, continuing the shoot-out struggles.

• Wataru Endo (sub) – 5/10

Added experience and defensive calm after coming on around the 71st minute; steady in holding midfield following his introduction.

Tactical Insights & Looking Ahead

Liverpool’s new and fresh additions—Ekitike, Frimpong, Kerkez and Wirtz—brought renewed energy and fluidity, offering glimpses of a high-octane style under Slot. However, those inroads came at a defensive cost. The aggressive full-back system, while potent going forward, left exploitable gaps that Palace effectively targeted.

The shoot-out symbolizes Liverpool's broader challenge: quality and intent was evident, but execution under psychological pressure revealed cracks. Whether through mental preparation or structural discipline, Liverpool will need to address this volatility as they head into the Premier League.

Reinforcing the Back Line

As Liverpool reflect on their Community Shield defeat, defensive concerns loom large. Virgil van Dijk has already stressed the urgency of strengthening the backline to mount a serious title challenge this season.

One name gathering momentum is Marc Guéhi, the Crystal Palace captain. With just a year remaining on his contract, Palace appear open to a sale to avoid losing him for free next summer. Liverpool are among the clubs keen on the England international, who is admired for his composure, leadership, and ability to play out from the back.

Reportedly, Palace have already turned down multiple bids for Guéhi this summer, and while Liverpool’s interest is genuine, it looks like the Reds have already had two offers turned down. The situation now rests largely with the player, with Palace’s manager making it clear that Guéhi will have the final say on whether he stays or moves on.

If Liverpool manage to secure his signature, they will be adding not only a dependable defender but also a player with proven Premier League pedigree—someone who could fit seamlessly into Arne Slot’s vision of a progressive and resilient backline.

What Liverpool Can Do to Fix the Defensive Gaps Before the Window Closes

With the Premier League season looming and their defensive vulnerabilities laid bare at Wembley, Liverpool must act decisively before the transfer deadline. Securing a proven left-sided centre-back—preferably someone with Premier League experience, composure under pressure, and comfort with ball progression—would immediately bolster the spine of the defense. That could mean pushing harder to finalize a move for Marc Guéhi, ideally at a sensible fee that balances Palace’s valuation with Liverpool’s own budget priorities.

Alongside Guéhi, exploring a young, high-potential centre-back (Leoni, Cresswell) as a rotational or developmental option remains smart business—adding depth without sacrificing long-term value. If a double signing isn’t feasible, prioritizing one dependable senior defender should come first, potentially combined with reshaped roles for more defensively utilized midfielders like Wataru Endo or Mac Allister to mask transitional gaps.

Defensive reinforcements aren’t the only lever. Liverpool could also adjust their personnel balance—perhaps by dialing down full-back advances in favor of a midfielder dropping deeper to bolster cohesion—or by altering press triggers to ensure the back four isn’t caught out in reactive moments.

Time is short. A calculated blend of immediate centre-back reinforcement, smart squad alignment, and adjusted tactical discipline could completely reshape their defensive outlook—turning the issues exposed in the Community Shield from liabilities into lessons learned.