Arne Slot adapted Masterly to Liverpool from Jurgen Klopp to deliver a Premier League title last season. Now his new side may require a little more adjustment to repeat that performance, based on their community Shield display.
Liverpool – Driven by the attacking attributes of summer signs Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong – were impressive on the front foot at Wembley, slippery in their combinations and in the eye with their progress on the field.
But they were also defensively vulnerable, twice admitted equalizers to Crystal Palace to undo their good offensive game and then beat in the shoot-out. Palace could have scored more, with Alisson Sharp to deny Ebereechi Eze and Alexis Mac Allister Fortuinate not to give away a late fine.
“It may need a little adjustment,” was Slot's Post-Match assessment at the re-conceived arrangement of his side.
Liverpool supporters and followers of their pre-season campaign will not be surprised by that. It has been a recurring pattern in recent weeks: the Premier League champions who looked more effective than before with the ball but expose themselves when they lose it.
“Many of the goals that Liverpool admitted have come from man-to-man, really go aggressive and leave space,” explains Sky Sports Pundit Jamie Carragher on social media.
That was a problem against the Palace counterattack. But it can become a larger one if a solution is not found quickly. Bournemouth is coming to Anfield on Friday to start the Premier League season – another team that can break quickly – and then the Newcastle is gone for a big early collision with title rivals Arsenal.
While Kerkez and Frimpong add both flanks down, their adventures can leave the center-backs forward and midfielder is exposed when there is a turnover.
Set with Ryan Gravenberch to return after missing the game on Sunday because of the birth of his child and an off -color Virgil van Dijk – who gives away a fine – is probably improved after repairing disease, concluded that he can find the right mix.
In total there were three clear opportunities for Palace on Sunday, compared to the two of Liverpool. Palace also had more photos than Liverpool. But Slot played the volume of great opportunities that Liverpool gives, even if the goals against a count are higher than he would like.
“We have replaced four players,” said Slot of Liverpool's £ 265 million summer overhaul, which Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Caoimhin Kelleher have seen.
'You need some time to adjust your attacking [or] To adjust defensively.
“But against [Athletic Club, in the 3-2 win]We have not admitted any chance at all. Maybe one, I don't know. But we have admitted two set of pieces, which are also a large part of football, but that is not from open play.
“I don't feel that we admitted so much today, but again, two goals admitted because the first big chance they got, resulted in the penalty. And maybe I forgot a few chances, but it felt for me in the 78th minute that their second big chance was on the game. But in general there were not many chances because they went to a low block.
“We don't admit many opportunities, but we are currently giving goals.”
Laverpool was the top scorers in the Premier League last season and had the second best defensive record.
It seems that they still have the firepower – maybe even more. But finding out how that can be balanced with defensive firmness, looks important whether lock and Liverpool can become back-to-back champions.
View Liverpool vs Bournemouth Live on Sky Sports Premier League from 7 pm on Friday; kick -off at 8 p.m.