Slot pinpoints penalty woes as Liverpool fall short in Community Shield | OneFootball

Slot Reflects on Liverpool’s Community Shield Loss

Liverpool’s Community Shield outing against Crystal Palace ended in frustration, not because the Reds were outplayed, but because they failed to take their chances from the spot. The 2-2 draw over 90 minutes set the stage for a penalty shootout, but Arne Slot’s side came up short, missing three of their five attempts. It was a performance that mixed moments of control with defensive uncertainty, and one that raised questions ahead of Friday’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth.

Milos Kerkez endured a testing afternoon on the left side, leaving space for Palace to exploit between himself and Virgil van Dijk. In midfield, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai struggled for balance, suggesting they should not be paired again in that particular shape. Slot, however, was clear on what he viewed as the decisive factor.

Photo: IMAGO

Penalties Take Centre Stage

“The main issue, I don’t think there was a main issue unless if the other team misses two penalties and you still lose within five penalties, that of course doesn’t help,” said the Liverpool head coach. His frustration was plain to see, but he also acknowledged the flow of the match. “But I think in general, it was a game where we twice came one goal up and, in my opinion, we controlled the game until the moment they scored the 2-2. Then, all of a sudden, although we still had one big chance for Mo Salah, we could have lost it in the end as well.”

Liverpool’s problems from the spot are not new. PSG knocked them out of the Champions League on penalties back in March, and once again the inability to convert under pressure cost them silverware. Mohamed Salah’s miss, blazed over the bar, was the most glaring of the three failures. It followed another miss during a pre-season friendly with Athletic Bilbao, raising concerns over his continued role as the first-choice penalty taker.

Searching for Reliable Penalty Options

“But until that moment, [at] 2-1, there was every reason for me to expect that we would win this game. But after the 2-2 we were maybe lucky that we could go to penalties,” Slot added. The margins were fine, yet Liverpool’s spot-kicks were poor enough to tip the balance.

Salah will not relinquish his duties easily, given his prolific record over the years, but Slot may need to consider alternatives. Alexis Mac Allister is one candidate, though he also failed to score on Sunday. Cody Gakpo and Szoboszlai were the only Liverpool players to convert their penalties against Palace, offering potential options in future shootouts. Consistency from the spot could be decisive in tight games across all competitions this season.

Transfers and Tactical Adjustments

Liverpool’s performance also prompted discussion over wider squad planning. With the transfer window still open, Slot and his recruitment team will be weighing up whether reinforcements are needed, particularly in defensive areas. Kerkez’s struggles and the midfield imbalance may accelerate interest in additional signings, especially with the fixture list offering little breathing space.

Penalty practice will no doubt be on the agenda, but Liverpool’s ability to adapt tactically will be equally important. Slot has already proven his credentials by winning the Premier League in his first season, and his record suggests he will not shy away from making bold calls, whether in team selection or in reshaping the squad through transfers.

The Community Shield might not define a season, but it has highlighted areas where Liverpool must improve quickly. Bournemouth will arrive at Anfield looking to test any early weaknesses, and Slot will be eager to ensure this setback does not set the tone for the months ahead.