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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool failed to add further silverware when they concluded their preparations for the new Premier League season with a disappointing Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scored but Palace twice fought back to secure a 2-2 draw before winning 3-2 on penalties.

Arne Slot's side will now begin their reign as Premier League champions by kicking off the new top-flight season when welcoming Bournemouth on Friday evening.

And here we look ahead to the changes Slot could make when his team are next in action.

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Bradley question

Slot faces some difficult decisions in defence after another slipshod display at the weekend, with the full-back positions of particular intrigue given the new signings are taking time to acclimatise.

Milos Kerkez started against Palace but will come under strong pressure from Andy Robertson for his place, with Kostas Tsimikas having not travelled to Wembley given he could soon become the latest player to leave the club.

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Conor Bradley has been absent for a week with a minor injury.

The Northern Irishman, though, regularly featured at right-back during pre-season and would seriously challenge Frimpong at right-back if available.

With Joe Gomez missing at Wembley due to an Achilles issue, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk were the only available senior centre-backs although Wataru Endo is another option.

Alisson Becker returned to Merseyside last week having had to travel to Brazil due to a personal issue, and regained his place between the sticks as first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Endo on standby

With Ryan Gravenberch serving a one-match suspension after being sent off against Crystal Palace in the final game of last season, Liverpool will be without one of the key midfielders of their title-winning campaign.

Alexis Mac Allister may be asked to further step up his search for full sharpness by starting the game, leaving it likely between Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones - who both started against Palace - to occupy the other role in the double pivot, with Endo another option.

Club record signing Florian Wirtz is favourite to make his competitive debut for Liverpool in the number 10 role, with Harvey Elliott having replaced him from the bench during the second half at Wembley.

Both Szoboszlai and Jones are alternatives.

Striker light

Up top, Ekitike is almost certain to lead the line if available with Darwin Nunez having now departed, Cody Gakpo seen as a left-winger and Federico Chiesa failing to feature in recent weeks.

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Gakpo is likely to line up on the left, with teenager Rio Ngumoha the chief alternative at present.

Mohamed Salah has been a regular on the right with Frimpong seen as a different alternative, while Ben Doak made the bench at Wembley.

Liverpool, though, are otherwise light of forward options compared to last season at present.