The Community Shield is usually the first real test before the Premier League season kicks off.

It is where fans get to see their team’s sharpness and how new signings settle in.

For Liverpool, it was a chance to make a statement against Crystal Palace after a strong pre-season.

Twice, the Reds took the lead at Wembley.

'Doesn't help': Arne Slot attempts to pinpoint the 'main issue' which saw Liverpool lose against Crystal Palace	Virgil van Dijk hits out at Crystal Palace fans who spoiled minute's silence for Diogo Jota before Liverpool's Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace at Wembley	Liverpool 2-2 Crystal Palace highlights and reaction as Reds lose Community Shield after penalty shootout

Twice, they were pulled back.

That alone will frustrate supporters who expected the team to close the game out.

On top of that, it ended in penalties – a situation that has gone both ways for Liverpool in the past.

This time, it went the wrong way.

It was not all negative.

New arrivals Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong both scored their first goals for the club, which is a good sign for what’s ahead.

But the silverware went to Palace, and the way it happened left room for questions.

Arne Slot addressed those afterwards, and he was clear in his assessment.

Speaking after the 3-2 shootout loss, Slot said he did not feel there was a single major flaw in Liverpool’s display – apart from the obvious.

“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,” Slot admitted.

Looking back at the game, he felt Liverpool had been in control until the late stages.

“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,” he explained.

The Dutchman added that the game could have gone either way after that.

“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.”

“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.”

In the end, the Shield slipped away.

But Liverpool will now turn their focus to the season ahead.

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