Liverpool were deservedly beaten by Crystal Palace on penalties in the Community Shield after a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Despite winning the Premier League last season, Arne Slot has overhauled his squad with an injection of £300million worth of new incomings. All of Liverpool’s four major summer signings so far started, with Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike and British record £116m man Florian Wirtz all getting the nod.
And it was a day for the debutants as the new Reds stars sent out a warning to the rest of the Premier League, but it was not an afternoon that will strike fear into opponents from the team's perspective.
After an unacceptable moment before kick-off saw the minutes silence for Diogo Jota booed and cheered by some brainless Palace fans, Liverpool responded by racing out of the traps.
Ekitike introduced himself to Reds and English football inside five minutes when he found the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box with a cool finish.
Palace equalised 10 minutes later when Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled from the spot after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaila Sarr in the box. But Liverpool were back ahead, poignantly on the 20th minute mark, when Frimpong’s mishit cross floated inside the far post.
Liverpool pressed on and could have put the game out of sight when Ekitike smashed over the bar from just yards out.
But Palace finally made them pay as the FA Cup winners grew to create numerous chances before Sarr eventually grabbed the equaliser in the 76th minute. The Eagles will count themselves incredibly unlucky that Mateta didn't have the chance to win the game from the spot as VAR decided not to intervene despite the ball striking Alexis Mac Allister's outstretched arm.
Neither team were able to find a late winner, with the trophy decided on penalties, seeing Justin Devenny the Crystal Palace hero after Dean Henderson's heroics.
Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the main talking points.
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong celebrates
Jeremie Frimpong scored on his Liverpool debut (Image: The FA via Getty Images)
It’s no surprise that Frimpong was going to add pace and energy to Liverpool’s right-hand side after replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold, and it’s exactly what he’s done.
Biting away defensively at every opportunity, to flying forward to create his luck that led to his debut goal. But questions will be asked of his decision to drop back on his own for Sarr’s equaliser, leaving the Senegal ace onside and through on goal. Although Van Dijk's decision to step up was baffling.
Strikers
Slot appears set to remain incredibly busy in the market as hopes of landing Newcastle striker Alexander Isak in another British record transfer linger.
What will become of Ekitike’s role if the Swede is signed remains unknown but the £79m man gave a good account of himself on his debut.
From his early goal to his link-up play, the Frenchman would be wasted in an unfamiliar left-wing role or as a deputy to Isak if the Reds do get the blockbuster signing across the line.
Florian Wirtz
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Milos Kerkez
Liverpool's debutants shone (Image: The FA via Getty Images)
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The German was the heartbeat of the Liverpool performance, with everything seemingly coming through the £116m signing.
His deft touches, tidy footwork and positive play will only come more to the fore in the opening weeks of the season. Also grabbing an assist for the first goal, albeit down to Ekitike’s good work rather than it being put on a plate for him, he’s set to shine in the No.10 role.
Is Salah done?
After registering 47 goal involvements in the league last season, it was tough to imagine Liverpool winning games any other way than through Mohamed Salah’s brilliance. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth today with Liverpool’s new stars taking the limelight.
Salah didn’t have a sniff virtually all game, and if it wasn’t brought up here, you wouldn’t have known he was even playing.
Salah was untidy in possession and didn’t even have a shot until the 82nd minute when he blasted a golden chance straight at Dean Henderson. He was soon booked for stopping a counter-attack after his woeful cross was blocked. And smashed his penalty into space in the shootout.
His numbers last season were astronomical, but with the fresh talent in the frontline, will he even be the main man this season? Time will tell.