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On August 10, 2025, Liverpool played Crystal Palace at Wembley for the Community Shield, a match that ended 2-2 in regular time before Palace won on penalties. Liverpool took the lead twice with goals from new signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, both making strong debuts. Ekitike scored early with an assist from Florian Wirtz, and Frimpong added a second after Palace had equalized from a penalty awarded following a Virgil van Dijk foul on Ismaïla Sarr. Palace fought back strongly, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Sarr scoring to level the game[2][4].

Virgil van Dijk admitted disappointment at the result but highlighted positives in the new players’ performances, stating that the newcomers have settled into the team well and brought quality. He emphasized the need for continued hard work and warned that improvement is required before the Premier League season kicks off against Bournemouth on August 15. Van Dijk also notably acknowledged his mistake leading to the penalty and showed determination to improve Liverpool’s defensive solidity for the new campaign[2][5].

Despite the attacking contributions from Ekitike and Frimpong, van Dijk expressed that Liverpool still need to strengthen their squad further, specifically calling for the signing of another forward and a new centre-back to bolster the team. This view reflects concerns about Liverpool’s defense, which was briefly exposed during the match despite their overall quality. The community’s consensus is that defensive reinforcement is the priority to protect their title defense hopes, given both injuries and departures in key positions[1].

Frimpong’s goal also came at a poignant moment as Liverpool fans were applauding in memory of Diogo Jota, whose tragic passing earlier in the summer continues to affect the team[3]. The Community Shield loss is a setback, but Liverpool’s captain and players remain focused on regrouping quickly to prepare for the rigorous Premier League campaign ahead[2][5].

PP