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How ready is Liverpool for the new season?

Despite spending nearly $400 million, or £300M this summer, Liverpool’s squad still has significant deficiencies, as highlighted by the inclusion of three academy graduates on the bench and Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott, who may yet leave in the market.



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In his place, the makeshift pairing of Curtis Jones and Szoboszlai couldn’t stymie the flow of Palace counterattacks during the game, and their desire, particularly of the latter, to surge forward on the ball didn’t offer enough protection for Liverpool’s back four.

Yet, in a summer of such high turnover and with more pressing areas to address, a midfield addition feels unlikely in the final three weeks of the window.



Liverpool's summer signings impressed against Crystal Palace

But the dismantling of a settled title-winning squad does feel striking against Slot’s claims that the new-look team needs time to gel.

Ironically, it was the new signings who shone at Wembley on Sunday, even if Ekitike spurned two second-half chances to make it 3-1 and effectively kill the game off.

His conversion rate was seen as perhaps the biggest area of concern at Eintracht Frankfurt, and Slot will be desperate to improve on that record this season, especially after allowing an errant finisher to depart the club last week.

Another positive from Sunday was Alisson's excellent display, which included a great stop to deny Eberechi Eze in the second half

Meanwhile, Frimpong's displays on Monday and Sunday could make it difficult for Conor Bradley to regain his place when he regains fitness.

On the other flank, Kostas Tsimikas’ expected departure means Andy Robertson will likely remain at Liverpool this season and, for the first time since 2017, operate primarily as backup.

That said, there will be plenty more twists and turns to come before the window shuts on September 1