**Liverpool**looked full of offensive verve in their double header with Athletic Club. But there is no room to rest on their laurels, as Arne Slot spoke about "a thing to work on" at the end of the action that could make the difference against **Crystal Palace**in the fight for silverware to start this season.
‘We could have scored a few goals more’
Two wins and seven goals across the two clashes convey that fun times for fans at **Anfield**are ahead.
“Both games we created a lot of chances, scored seven goals – four in the first, three in the second – so that's pleasing to see because we definitely didn't score every chance we had. In the second game in the first half, I think we could have scored a few goals more than we did. That pleased me most.”
Many more goals could have come their way, especially in the second contest.
Cody Gakpo, who hit the back of the net twice during the second half, missed the mark at the start, then Salah saw **Florian Wirtz**drive a cross into the goalkeeper, and he blazed a penalty far over the bar.
However, these are good signs for the outfit that topped the scoring charts in the Premier League last season with 86 strikes.
“The ability to create the chances and even to score seven goals over two games is also good.”
On the other hand, the Dutchman did not like seeing two goals conceded from set-pieces in that same meeting. **Crystal Palace**were one of the most prolific sides from these situations in the top flight last year, and it remains a strength upon the observation of the work from their preseason tour in Austria.
*“But then to concede, especially in the second game, two set-piece goals, that's not what you want – especially if you play Crystal Palace, who are a team that are very strong on set-pieces. That’s a thing to work on – we've worked on that already but to work on that even more in the upcoming week.”*
The Community Shield should be a good test of their fitness as well as tactical discipline against the Eagles. The 46-year-old opened up about the health of the group as the new campaign approaches.
“The players are fit, worked really hard, played good football, defended really strong and good.”
He is not complacent about the challenges that await. Strength is relative as much as it is absolute: Arsenal, Man City, and **Chelsea**have splashed the cash and should stretch the limits of Liverpool.
“You need to make in everything you do the next step because our competitors are not sitting still as well – not only they try to improve as well but they have also made a lot of signings, like we all have done. So that's why it's going to be a very interesting Premier League in the upcoming year again.”
‘He’s going to be a very good player for us’
The Reds might have stunned spectators to run away with the **Premier League**title last time, but the manager made clear that the team has to evolve. The death of Diogo Jota in July robbed the squad of a forward they were happy to keep, and Luis Diaz departed for a £65 million fee to Bayern Munich.
*“We lost two quality players with Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.”*
Several exciting incomings have arrived. **Hugo Ekitiké**netted 13 times for **Eintracht Frankfurt**in the **Bundesliga**last term, but he is a well-rounded forward, showing a clean pair of heels to assist **Mo Salah**for the first strike in the second match.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old **Rio Ngumoha**continues to shine, having bent a brilliant shot outside the box into the net to open the scoring in the first fixture.
“We added with Hugo Ekitiké a player that's going to be a very good player for us. Rio Ngumoha is showing good things every time in pre-season. The other games in pre-season, I think we've conceded a few chances too much. Both games, we hardly conceded anything at all. That pleased me as well.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold is also a massive miss with his playmaking qualities from right back.
*“There's room for improvement in every department. We added a few extra weapons. **Florian Wirtz**has a lot of creativity in the final third. We lost creativity at the back with Trent Alexander-Arnold.”*
The former vice-captain has chosen to pull on the shirt of Real Madrid. However, the Reds are hopeful that Florian Wirtz, who spent his whole career at Bayer Leverkusen, can be a conventional creative machine. Off the left or in the role of the number ten, he can connect expertly with others.
“Trent's crosses and finding runners was special – Flo has this quality in a totally different position.”
The front foot approach of **Liverpool**looks to have a boost from the extra speed in their ranks. Apart from Ekitiké, the two new fullbacks, who are under the age of 25, are dynamic and forward-thinking.
*“The pace of Hugo and the fullbacks, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, adds something.”*