Liverpool’s New Boys Shine but Penalty Heartbreak Hands Community Shield to Palace | OneFootball

Liverpool and Crystal Palace Share Community Shield Spoils Before Palace Triumph on Penalties

Liverpool’s first taste of competitive action in 2025 ended in disappointment as they drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace in the Community Shield before losing on penalties. On Post Match Raw for Anfield Index, Trev Downey was joined by Jim Boardman and Karl Matchett to dissect a game that offered both encouragement and warning signs ahead of the Premier League opener.

Early Encouragement and Debut Delight

Downey set the scene, noting the mixed emotions around a fixture that “is a glorified friendly” but still represents a chance to “show the rest of the Premier League what we’re about”. Liverpool began brightly, with new signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz combining for the opener. Matchett praised the “really good link up” and Wirtz’s immediate impact, adding, “important that he created a few really good options early on”.

Jeremie Frimpong then doubled the lead in poignant circumstances, scoring in the 20th minute, the same as Diogo Jota’s shirt number, with a cross that looped in. “He was positive all the way through,” Matchett said, highlighting the right-back’s pace and ability to beat his man. Boardman added that Frimpong’s presence was “a real breath of fresh air” in a position that had been a concern in recent seasons.

Palace Fight Back and Liverpool’s Sloppiness

Palace equalised from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk fouled in the area, and later levelled again through Ismaïla Sarr’s clinical finish. Matchett identified “mistakes all the way through” the build-up to the second goal, with gaps in the defensive shape and no pressure on the pass. Boardman felt Liverpool were “still getting up to speed” but warned that sloppiness had been an issue in previous seasons.

Liverpool’s left side was tested repeatedly by Palace right-back Daniel Muñoz, with new signing Milos Kerkez showing attacking promise but leaving space in behind. Boardman said Kerkez “will only get better” as he adapts, but his debut underlined the need for improved defensive cohesion.

Salah Quiet, Penalty Woes Continue

Mohamed Salah was largely peripheral in the first half, which Matchett put down to the developing relationship with Frimpong on the right. Although he grew into the game, Salah missed Liverpool’s first penalty in the shootout, his second miss in succession. Boardman acknowledged some may call for a change of taker, but insisted “two penalties is not the point where you do that”.

Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott also failed to convert, and Palace’s David Ozoh sealed the win from the spot. Downey noted that with better finishing during open play, Ekitike alone had multiple good chances, Liverpool “could actually be two or three ahead” before the shootout.

Takeaways Before the Premier League Kick-Off

While defeat is never welcome, the panel agreed there were positives. Wirtz’s creativity, Frimpong’s dynamism and Alisson Becker’s sharp saves stood out. However, match fitness, defensive balance and penalty-taking remain areas to address.

Matchett summed up the mood: “I don’t really mind that we didn’t win today… in the home games I think we’ll be fine to rely on the attack, but away from home improvements are needed.”

Liverpool now turn their attention to Bournemouth on Friday night, aiming to convert early promise into three points when the Premier League season begins.