Liverpool were involved in an entertaining Community Shield against Crystal Palace as their season got underway on Sunday.

The Reds headed into the campaign’s curtain-raiser for the first time since 2022 hoping to lay a marker down ahead of the Premier League’s kick-off on Friday.

It did not take them long to do it, with new signing Hugo Ekitike firing home an excellent effort from the edge of the penalty box after just four minutes.

All four of Liverpool‘s new signings started the match, with Jeremie Frimpong soon bagging himself a debut goal as well.

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With plenty of eyes also on Florian Wirtz, the one new addition who was perhaps going under the radar was left-back Milos Kerkez.

But with rumours emerging pre-match that Kostas Tsimikas could leave, it was a big day for Kerkez as well.

According to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, though, it was not a completely positive one.

Photo by Paul Harding – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Although Liverpool hit the front early on against Palace, they were soon pegged back, with some of the defensive vulnerabilities seen during pre-season back once again.

Carragher has clearly been watching the Reds across the summer, and voiced his concerns on X at half-time that Liverpool, including Kerkez, were not learning their lessons.

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“LFC looking great going forward but susceptible defensively, as we’ve seen all pre season,” said the Liverpool legend.

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“A lot of the goals conceded by LFC have come from going man to man really aggressively & leaving space in behind.

“Today Kerkez is getting dragged inside with Sarr leaving Gakpo chasing WB.”

Despite Carragher’s point – which is a valid one – there was still plenty to like about Kerkez’s official debut for Liverpool on Sunday.

Kerkez has endeared himself to Liverpool fans already after showing some committed defending during pre-season, and it is already clear that he’s set to be a crowd favourite.

However, supporters must also admit and recognise when something needs working on, and there is clearly something not quite right with Liverpool’s defending.

Kerkez was not the only one culpable of vacating his position a little too readily against Palace, but given the space that opens up when he does, it could easily have cost Liverpool.

As Carragher says, the Reds have plenty going the other way to get them out of jail, but this does need working on.