Slot: Liverpool Can't Concede Chances and Win the League

Do Liverpool have reason to be concerned defensively ahead of title defence

Read about Liverpool's chances of defending their Premier League title, with manager Arne Slot addressing defensive issues and transfer rumors.

“We only could score one goal against Palace (last season)...”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed concerns about his team's defensive performance after losing the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on penalties. Despite a £260 million spending spree in the transfer market, Slot believes his side is conceding too often, which could hinder their title defense. The new-look Reds showcased their attacking prowess at Wembley, with new signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scoring goals.

Slot's Expectations and Next Steps

Slot emphasized the need for improvement in defense, stating that conceding fewer goals and chances is crucial for the team's success. He acknowledged that the Community Shield isn't a definitive indicator of the season's outcome but highlighted areas that require attention. With a packed Premier League schedule ahead, Slot's Liverpool faces tough challenges, starting with their upcoming match against AFC Bournemouth on August 15.

❌ League Cup Final
❌ Community Shield

Back-to-back defeats for Arne Slot at Wembley 🤧 pic.twitter.com/5GquUetmx9

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 10, 2025

Liverpool struggled to hold onto their leads, as Crystal Palace equalized twice. First, Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a penalty after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaila Sarr in the box, and then Sarr himself scored 13 minutes from time with a clever finish past Alisson. The match ultimately ended 2-2, with Palace winning 3-2 in the penalty shootout.

In contrast, Liverpool had a strong record against Palace last season, winning 1-0 at Selhurst Park and drawing 1-1 at Anfield on the final day of the season. They went on to win the title with four games to spare. This season's encounter, however, had a different outcome, with Palace claiming their first Community Shield title.

Arne Slot was impressed by the potential of his forward line, particularly highlighting the talent of new recruits. The match's opening goal showcased this, as Florian Wirtz, the most expensive of Slot's new signings, set up Hugo Ekitike for a goal just four minutes into the game.

"Today we scored twice against Palace and last season we were not able to do that once" 💬

Arne Slot on what he can take away from Liverpool's Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BlirL87742

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 10, 2025

Liverpool's Pre-Season Friendlies

Reveal Defensive Concerns

Liverpool's recent pre-season matches have exposed vulnerabilities in their defense, particularly against counter-attacks. This was evident in their friendly against AC Milan in Hong Kong, where they lost 4-2. Similarly, in their double-header match against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield, Liverpool won both games but struggled to maintain leads. The first match ended 4-1 in Liverpool's favor, showcasing their attacking prowess with goals from young talents like Rio Ngumoha and Harvey Elliott. However, Bilbao managed to score in both matches, highlighting Liverpool's defensive issues.

Analyzing Liverpool's Upcoming Schedule

With the Premier League season approaching, Liverpool's schedule looks challenging. They'll face AFC Bournemouth on August 15, followed by matches against Newcastle United and Arsenal. Given their defensive struggles in pre-season friendlies, Liverpool manager Arne Slot will likely focus on reinforcing their backline to ensure a strong title defense.

“If you look at our attacking play against a team that is so compact, that might be a bit better than last season,” said Slot.

“We only could score one goal against Palace (last season). Now we scored two and created more against them.

“But, on the other hand, we conceded two goals, which we did against Bilbao, and we conceded a couple more against Milan, so that is something we need to do better.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged that his team needs to improve defensively, especially if they want to defend their title. “We are able to create more but we are conceding at the moment more as well. If you want to compete to win the league, you cannot concede these chances.” Slot emphasized that rectifying these issues is crucial before their opening match against Bournemouth on Friday.

After losing the Community Shield to Crystal Palace in a penalty shootout, Slot reflected on his team's performance, saying, “We conceded too much today to win the game.” Despite flashes of brilliance from their star-studded forward line, Liverpool's inability to hold onto leads ultimately cost them the match.

Liverpool's Transfer Plans and Pressure

Liverpool manager Arne Slot downplayed concerns that the club's significant transfer spending would put additional pressure on the players this season. “Because we are Liverpool, the pressure is always on,” he said. “That is nothing to do with bringing players in.” This statement reflects the high expectations surrounding the team, given their recent Premier League title win.

Pursuit of Alexander Isak

Despite Slot's comments, Liverpool's pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak continues to generate interest. Isak's potential transfer fee is estimated to be around £150 million, which could break the British transfer record. However, Liverpool's financial situation appears stable, with the club reportedly making a net profit despite significant spending this summer.

Financial Situation

Liverpool's net spending this summer is estimated to be around £8 million, following a £295 million outlay on transfers. The club's smart investment approach and sales of certain players have contributed to their financial stability. This could enable them to make further signings, potentially including Isak or other top targets.