Slot's Liverpool 2.0: Brilliant but Buggy in Wembley Debut

Arne Slot's Liverpool 2.0 made their competitive debut at Wembley on Sunday, delivering a performance that oscillated between brilliance and disorganization - highlighting clear areas for improvement.

New Signings Make Their Mark

Four summer signings earned their first competitive starts in the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace, which Liverpool ultimately lost on penalties. Record £116m acquisition Florian Wirtz started in attacking midfield, while Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez formed a new full-back pairing. Hugo Ekitike led the line as central striker, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili remaining on the bench.

The match finished 2-2, marking the first time since August 2006 that two Liverpool players scored on their competitive debuts. However, defensive frailties were evident as Liverpool twice surrendered leads.

Defensive Concerns Emerge

The new full-back duo of Frimpong and Kerkez showcased attacking promise, with Frimpong's daring run leading to Liverpool's second goal. However, defensive vulnerabilities persisted:

• Frimpong played Ismaila Sarr onside for Palace's second equalizer
• The backline was breached too easily before Jean-Philippe Mateta's penalty
• No recognized center-back was available on the bench

Slot acknowledged the need for adaptation time, but with the transfer deadline approaching, Liverpool appear in need of at least one more central defender - with Palace captain Marc Guehi reportedly on their radar.

Wirtz Shines in Revamped Midfield

Florian Wirtz emerged as Liverpool's standout performer, thriving in a more advanced role than previous attacking midfielders:

• Created Ekitike's opener with a sublime pass after drifting wide left
• Led the team in passes, final third entries, crosses and box touches
• Demonstrated remarkable composure and influence throughout

Former Palace striker Glenn Murray praised Wirtz's "dominant" display, though noted the German will need to build stamina for the Premier League's demands.

Ekitike Shows Promise Up Front

The French striker made an immediate impact with a well-taken goal and some creative play, including a sublime outside-of-the-boot cross. However, he also missed two golden opportunities that could have secured victory, echoing Darwin Nunez's inconsistent finishing.

With transfer speculation linking Liverpool to Alexander Isak, the striker position remains an area of potential reinforcement despite Ekitike's promising debut.

Midfield Absences Felt

The absence of Ryan Gravenberch (paternity leave) and limited availability of Alexis Mac Allister left Liverpool light in midfield. Curtis Jones performed admirably alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, completing all 53 of his passes, but the team clearly missed their first-choice options.

Perspective Needed

While disappointing to lose against a mid-table opponent, historical data suggests Community Shield results rarely predict league success:

• Only 1 of last 14 Shield winners went on to win the Premier League
• Just 8 of 33 Shield winners in Premier League era claimed the title

As Slot's Liverpool 2.0 continues its development phase, fans should view this as the first step in a long-term project rather than a definitive statement of intent.