Jamie Carragher highlights key Liverpool flaw and criticises new signing after Community Shield loss

Liverpool’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on penalties prompted a swift reaction from Jamie Carragher, who identified a key weakness in Arne Slot’s side and singled out one of the club’s new arrivals.

The Premier League champions were held to a 2-2 draw in normal time at Wembley, with new signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scoring in the first half, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr struck for the FA Cup winners.

Palace edged the shootout 3-2 after Mo Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, and Harvey Elliott all missed, with substitute Justin Devenny netting the decisive penalty.

Liverpool impressed in attack, especially in the first half when record signing Florian Wirtz dictated play, but defensive frailties were exposed whenever Palace broke through their press. Virgil van Dijk conceded a penalty for the Eagles’ first goal, while the offside trap failed when Sarr raced clear to score.

Carragher voiced his concern over the backline, noting that Milos Kerkez struggled to adapt to Slot’s tactics.

> “LFC looking great going forward but susceptible defensively, as we’ve seen all pre season,” he posted on X.
“A lot of the goals conceded by LFC have come from going man to man really aggressively & leaving space in behind. Today Kerkez is getting dragged inside with Sarr leaving Gakpo chasing the wing back.”

With Jarell Quansah sold to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez battling injury issues, Liverpool have been linked with Palace defender Marc Guehi, who went off injured late in the game. Slot was even seen shaking hands with him in the tunnel before kick-off, drawing a cheeky reaction from Van Dijk.

However, the Liverpool captain believes reinforcements are also needed up front, telling talkSPORT’s Alex Crook:

> “After Darwin and Lucho left, we need a new striker for sure this summer.”