'We need to do better' - Arne Slot highlights where Liverpool must improve after Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace

Liverpool drew 2-2 with the Eagles in normal time, but thanks to wayward finishing from the spot by Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister, the Reds lost 3-2 on penalties and were unable to lift the trophy. Liverpool went ahead twice through Hugo Ekitike and Jeremine Frimpong either side of a Jean-Phillipe Mateta penalty, before Ismaila Sarr raced through into open space in the Reds' box and equalised. Slot was pleased that his squad were able to find the back of the net twice, but was unhappy with the way in which they were carved open so easily at the back.

Speaking after the game to TNT Sports, Slot said: "It's a bit mixed feelings. If you look at our attacking play against a team that is so compact, it might be a bit better than last season. I think we created more chances. Last season, we could only score one goal against Palace. Now, we scored two.

"But on the other hand, we conceded two goals which we did against Bilbao and also a couple more against Milan. It’s something we need to do better.”

Slot elaborated further on his team's defensive issues later at his press conference, adding: "In general there were not many chances because they went to a low block [and] we had a lot of ball possession. But after the 2-2 they had [chances], so it needs maybe a little bit of adjustment defensively at the moment because we don’t concede a lot of chances but we do concede goals at the moment."

Slot was not the only person to be critical of Liverpool's leaky defence. Former captain and central defender Jamie Carragher was quick to take to X to share his grievances about the Reds' defence. Carragher bemoaned how easily the Liverpool full-backs were pulled out of position and allowed the Palace wing-backs freedom to get in behind - not just for the first goal, but the second too.

The next defensive test for Liverpool comes in the form of Bournemouth. The Cherries impressed with their attacking flair last season and will be hoping the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson can pick up where they left off last campaign and inflict damage on the creaking Reds defence.