Slot sees positives despite Liverpool Community Shield loss | OneFootball

Arne Slot has said he saw positives from Liverpool despite his side’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace.

Liverpool lost on penalties at Wembley after a 2-2 draw between the teams. The Reds twice led in the contest through debutants Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, but a Jean-Phillipe Mateta penalty and Ismaila Sarr strike brought Palace level.

Liverpool started the game brightly and impressed going forward, but struggled defensively at times with Palace’s wing-backs exploiting space. Virgil van Dijk was uncharacterisatlly clumsy for the penalty decision, while the Dutchman’s decision to step up allowed the space for Sarr to score the second.

Despite defeat, Slot said he saw encouraging signs. The Liverpool boss was pleased with his side’s ability o create chances against Palace’s defensive system and praised the performances of new signings Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.

“We faced a good team. They made it difficult for us last season and they did today. We were able to create more than we usually do against teams that it low. But if you are conceding two goals it is too much, especially if you take penalties like we did,” Slot said speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live.

“If the other team misses two out of five penalties, you expect to win and we did not. Mo Salah normally scores, Alexis Mac Allister normally scores and Harvey Elliott normally scores.”

On the debut displays of Wirtz and Ekitike, he added: “These are players we have brought in for quite a lot of money but they know how to handle the pressure. Both of them played a good game.

“After two years of no change, we brought a lot of money in and then I think it is a good moment to get new energy in. We have lost four starters and players that have played a lot for us. Some wanted to leave, like Trent.

“As a result of that, we have to bring players in and that is what we did. We have to make sure we are ready for Bournemouth and then after that we have Newcastle away and Arsenal – I don’t need to tell you how good those two teams are.”

Read – How many Community Shield winners go on to win the title?

See more – Five of the best Community Shield goals you probably forgot about

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