Liverpool are back but Arne Slot and his troops had to walk past a piece of gleaming silverware this time, as the Community Shield served up an intriguing afternoon.Liverpool 2-2 Crystal Palace (2-3 pens)Community Shield | WembleyAugust 10, 2025Goals: Ekitike 4′, Frimpong 21′; Mateta pen 17′, Sarr 77′Alisson – 7 (out of 10)Had little to do for the majority and brushed through the basics as expertly as usual.Pulled off a solid, crucial stop to deny Eberechi Eze on the hour mark, after Dominik Szoboszlai squandered possession to trigger a counter.Can’t be placed much at fault for the goals, and very unfortunate in the shootout.Jeremie Frimpong – 8Fast, frenetic feet and a feverish pace up and down the flank. My hamstrings ache just watching this lad hit his stride, and it’s going to be a reoccurring theme this season.Big energy was brought by Arne Slot‘s latest Dutch recruit, and it was evident how quickly the new No. 30 has been instructed to leap upon loose balls, even if it risks a turnover and opposition counter.Let’s all agree he meant his goal; a class-oozing chip of Lionel Messi proportions.Ibrahima Konate – 7Returned to competitive duty as something of a hatchet man, knocking off a tactical foul on a rapidly counter-attacking Eze early doors, and collecting a predictable yellow card on the cusp of half-time thereafter.Looked assured and measured, but needs the momentum – which the coming season will provide.Virgil van Dijk – 5Went about the first half with his customary quiet and imposing marshalling, but left plenty of questions to be answered in the second 45 offering.Several questionable stepping-up of the back line decisions, one of which was immediately punished as Sarr hit the back of the net, along with giving away the penalty for 1-1.The flow will return, but not an afternoon the skipper will be particularly pleased about.Milos Kerkez – 6Remained mostly solid but looked, understandably, a measure short of confidence and at times porous.His lack of understanding yet to be struck with the captain became clearly apparent as Ismaila Sarr burst through to bag the 2-2 equaliser just before the 80th-minute mark. Quickly made amends with a last-gasp block to save the skin of the Reds.Will settle into this team in no time, but looked a hair uneasy here.Curtis Jones – 7Played deep and looked robust. Taking on the Gravenberch role is never easy, but Jones brought energy and dynamism and benefitted from the additional energetic legs around him.Carried well from deep and kept his passes short and sharp, while offering a constant outlet for the men out wide.Not the most glamorous of roles, but one this rather underrated footballer can carry out when called upon.Dominik Szoboszlai – 7It comes as little shock to see Liverpool’s magnificent Magyar return from pre-season just as fit as ever before.Plenty of lung-busting runs from Szoboszlai at Wembley, but the No. 8 did seem to get a little lost amid the noise at stages.Ended the match pushed much further forward after the introduction of Alexis Mac Allister, showcasing his versatility but also somewhat thwarting his momentum.Florian Wirtz – 9 (Man of the Match)This lad got everywhere, and every time he picks up the ball the opposition are terrified.Took little to no time to get himself settled into this one, before using space expertly on and off the ball. Little give-and-go here, a fizzing daisy cutter of a pass there. The repertoire feels both effortless and endless.Helped free up Hugo Ekitike in the channels, and put on the assist for the fellow new boy to get the Reds off the mark in the capital.We could be about to witness a generational season from this German maestro.Mohamed Salah – 7Ran hard and threaded some sumptuous passes beyond the lines. Perhaps dispossessed more often than he’d like, or that we’re used to seeing, but this is early days.A good sharpener for Salah, who will feel rejuvenated with this new pool of flowing talent around him. His burgeoning link-up with Wirtz could become something truly special.Missed a few chances which would usually be his bread and butter and looked frustrated with himself.The hunger is still very much there, but so is a new-found ability to blaze penalties over the crossbar.Cody Gakpo – 6Cut in time and time again from the flank in trademark fashion, in that instantly recognisable Arjen Robben-esque manner.Looked direct and focused in possession, but found himself sucked into quiet spells intermittently which has to be avoided.Early days and still basically pre-season, but needs to hit the ground running as soon as the Premier League anthem starts ringing out again.Hugo Ekitike – 9Four minutes, just four touches, one maiden Liverpool goal. A remarkable first impression for an imposing striker who looks like he can also be a blistering winger and a playmaker.A proper modern-day Liverpool recruit, it takes seconds to see why the data boffins were desperate to have this athlete on board.That deft, gorgeously caressed touch to bring the ball down and slot it through the back line in the first half. If you missed it, find it on Youtube and watch it on repeat for the rest of the evening.I’m not getting carried away and saying this lad could be Thierry Henry reincarnate, but also that’s exactly what I am saying. A stellar competitive debut.Overall Team Performance – 8 SubstitutesAlexis Mac Allister (on for Jones, 71′) – 6 – Still getting back into the swing of things, but his mere presence alters the dynamic. Neutralises space better than anyone.Wataru Endo (on for Ekitike, 71′) – 6 – Old reliable. Comes on, carries out his remit. Plenty of tackles, plenty of refined power.Harvey Elliott (on for Wirtz, 84′) – 7 – Tried hard to impose himself, tracking from one side of the midfield to the other. Scanning, passing, looking for the flint with which to re-spark the flames.May well be his last outing in a Liverpool shirt, and will be sorely missed if so. Always gave his everything for the Reds. Let’s not talk about his spot-kick.Andy Robertson (on for Kerkez, 84′) – 6 – Didn’t have much time to get into the swing of things, but remained compact.Subs not used: Marmadashvili, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Chiesa, Doak Arne Slot – 7Utilised his new-look squad well and the promising signs are very much there. A few tweaks needed, but Slot looks like a man very much excited by the new weaponry at his disposal.Liverpool were cohesive and creative, with many a daring endeavour attempted. A solid run-out with a mask of unavoidable rust.This serves as a useful and much-needed tonic to stir the senses regarding the work that needs to be done in defence.It’s clear to see this team can, and will, do something special this season.Penalties generally were awful, but on we go. If this is the only silverware the Reds miss out on this season, happy days.