(Credit: Imago/Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Jonathan Burnett

Tue 12 August 2025 11:12, UK

Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield could raise more questions than answers for Arne Slot.

Liverpool line-ups vs Crystal Palace as Alexis Mac Allister and Hugo Ekitike decisions made	Hugo Ekitike sends clear Alexander Isak transfer message after first Liverpool goal	Hugo Ekitike sends Alexander Isak transfer message after £79m star's first Liverpool goal

The Community Shield rarely has much bearing on the fortunes of a club’s ensuing season but Slot had plenty to take away from Liverpool‘s 3-2 loss on penalties, after a 2-2 draw with Palace in normal time.

Curtis Jones’ display at the base of Liverpool’s midfield gives Slot a viable alternative to the absent Ryan Gravenberch, while Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong both had massive impacts on their Reds debuts.

Ekitike took just four minutes to turn Chris Richards and find the bottom corner at Wembley, to get his £69million move to Liverpool off to the perfect start and stake his claim to be Slot‘s first-choice striker.

Hugo Ekitike continued his Eintracht Frankfurt form at Wembley (Credit: Eintracht Frankfurt YouTube)

Alexander Isak remains a target for the Reds even with the arrival of Ekitike, but the French striker’s immediate impact led Liverpool fans to question whether Isak is even needed at Anfield this season.

Isak stating his refusal to play for Newcastle again makes a move to Anfield look all the more likely before the end of the transfer window, despite Ekitike’s Liverpool debut getting off to the best possible start.

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Ekitike’s withdrawal in the 71st minute saw Alexis Mac Allister come on to replace him, after Slot had lined up with Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai dropping back into the double pivot of Liverpool’s midfield.

Mac Allister’s introduction in place of Ekitike saw Liverpool miss the impact of an out-and-out number nine in attack, and the Argentine also saw his penalty saved by Dean Henderson in the shoot-out.

Liverpool’s number 10 posted on Instagram (11 August) with a message to fans after the defeat, saying: “We are here to take responsibility, both in the good times and the bad.

Thank you to those who came to Wembley to support the team – see you at Anfield on Friday”

Ekitike responded with a message of encouragement to Mac Allister, which said: “My 10!!”

Football Insider Verdict

Ekitike’s influence on proceedings in the final third was felt even more so after his substitution in the 71st minute of the Community Shield, and Liverpool are likely to respond to this with another move for Isak.

Liverpool have been backed to submit an improved bid for Isak after their initial offer of £110million was rejected by Newcastle, who are themselves in a bind after missing out on several potential replacements.

Darwin Nunez‘s departure to Al-Hilal frees up both funds and the number nine shirt at Anfield amid their interest in Isak, but it remains to be seen if this record-breaking move could potentially hamper Ekitike’s development.

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