For the second time in 2025, Liverpool leave Wembley disappointed after the bitter taste of defeat.
Their performance in the Community Shield was an improvement on the Carabao Cup final no-show in March, but the Reds twice relinquished their lead (with debut goals for Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong) and lost 3-2 on penalties to Crystal Palace, who’ve now added this trophy to their FA Cup triumph in May.
The result won’t have any lasting consequences for Arne Slot’s side, but the players and coaching staff will nonetheless be frustrated to have spurned the chance to lay down an immediate marker at the start of the new season.
Liverpool star slammed for ‘anonymous’ performance
One Liverpool player in particular will be disappointed with his performance, with Sky Sports News reporter James Savundra describing Mo Salah’s display as ‘anonymous’ and posing the question as to whether it could be a ‘concern’ for the upcoming campaign.
The Egyptian took the first spot kick in the penalty shootout – which occurred at the end where the Reds supporters were seated – but blazed his effort way over the crossbar, aping what happened during the second friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield last Monday.
Salah was well below his best at Wembley, unfortunately
The 33-year-old’s performance today will be swiftly forgotten if he repeats his customary trick of scoring on the opening weekend of the Premier League season next Friday and goes on to emulate the heights of his 2024/25 campaign, in which he plundered 34 goals and 23 assists.
However, even aside from his inexplicable penalty miss. Salah was nowhere near his best for Liverpool at Wembley this afternoon.
He was the Reds’ lowest-rated player on Sofascore with a dismal 4.7, having lost all six duels that he contested, completed just 13 of his 20 passes, failed to record a successful dribble or key pass, and lost possession 12 times.
The Egyptian did have one effort on target which was saved by Dean Henderson, and Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle awarded him 6/10 in his post-match player ratings, observing how our number 11 ‘flitted in and out of the game’ as he sought to forge an understanding with Frimpong along the right flank.
All in all, it isn’t a day that Salah will care to remember, but we’ve every confidence that he’ll rediscover his scoring touch in the Premier League, which is when it truly counts for the defending champions of England.
Time to just play our game. No more 1 minute silences or wreath layer, let the game reflect our rememberence of Diogo and Andre.
I think there should be one more at Anfield on Friday and that should be it
Think there is was a bit more to be concerned about than Salah’s penalty miss, like the captains part in both Palace goals and the “ tired “ performance by Gapko without anyone to replace him ( Only 3 senior forwards and no Dias or Nunez to refresh proceedings)
We would not want Nunez to replace Salah and Diaz had to be sold not attenting Diogo Funeral Gapko was very good better than Salah, Would not be afraid to see Gapko Ettike play as a two with Wirzt behind the two. gives us more stability in the middle and not get caught on the break all the time
When the team is up by one goal, they always invariably lower the momendum. Lesson learned: Having a one-goal advantage is not healthy at all, especially as the 75-minute mark approaches.
Too many passes and players inside the penalty box. When too many Liverpool players enter the penalty box, so will the opposing team players. This makes it even more difficult to make a pass or score a goal. It keeps happening in every matches.
Remember just about a month ago when we all agreed that any play they did this year would be acceptable because they’re grieving? They are dear, amazing, courageous, grieving young men. Do you think that they’re back to normal after one of their best friends and mates and teammates died?! Get off it.
Honestly some of the comments on here…. Do you even understand the game?
We have 2 new full backs and are still a CD light….
We need another striker too. We lost control when Ekitike came off.
Slot should have brought in Ngumoha and Nyoni during his substitutions, and even Doak and Elliot!! It worries me that he seems not to trust thr youngsters, again I reference Barcelona on this!! LFC needs to add 4 players to complete the squad in this window. 2 backline players, a roaming frontline player and Isak, who has long been a LFC target, just get it done!!
You can buy all the players you like, but if there is no understanding and chemistry you will fail. VVD and Konate have lost a yard of pace. Time waits for no man. They need 2 CBs now. Salah is trying to figure out the new set up. Liverpool were losing the game on the flanks. Frimpong slips a lot losing the ball. Kerkez started hitting long balls and lost possession. They failed to get behind the defense. Liverpool looked off, maybe the death of Jota has them behind schedule and fitness.
Salah is overrated. He has passed his prime! Yet no one is saying this. Its convening
Exactly…a hero too has his limitations and career peaks don’t last forever.
Salah is overrated. He has passed his prime! Yet no one is saying this. Its concerning
Same was said last season, yet he’s still breaking records. Every player has a bad game now and then.
Old guard were off the pace new intake showed there worth , substitutes a strange mix Harvey brought on far to late , penalties abysmal
Darwin Nunez, should not be sold in the first place
Sell Salah he is totally over rated
Already has a attitude
Whe dose he think he is calling out uefa
About a plastine player who was killed
Never liked Salah
Sell the twat
Robertson “faded” last 2 seasons, Quansah were inconsistent and moody – as well as Konate, Kerkez making mistakes and dragged into his own box. Maybe the one at LCB should perform better instead of making transfer comments. Macca and Carragher blaming the new left back, while seniors should lead by example, better not to mention VVD’s and Mo’s contribution to this match. They aren’t holy cows. Carragher obviously doesn’t like goulash or pálinka anyway.
300 million wasted on unproven players from small clubs ….
Mo Salah is out of his game, but I don’t know why Liverpool are playing him for 90 minutes.