Ian Doyle with the Liverpool player ratings and scores from the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday afternoon
Ian Doyle has covered Liverpool for more than 20 years, following them across Europe in multiple Champions League and Europa League finals and as far afield as Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong and Qatar, and has reported on the Reds winning every major honour. He previously also covered Everton for 18 years and followed England, reporting on the European Championships and World Cup final. Once had to tell Jude Law he does not drive a Mini.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates their first goal during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Hugo Ekitike celebrates his first goal for Liverpool, which put them in front early on in the Community Shield with Crystal Palace at Wembley
(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Liverpool once again failed miserably in a shoot-out as they slumped to a disappointing Community Shield reverse to Crystal Palace. Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott all failed from 12 yards as the Reds were beaten 3-2 on spot kicks after a 2-2 draw at Wembley on Sunday.
Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong both netted in the first half either side of Jean-Philippe Mateta equalising from the spot before Ismailia Sarr struck a second leveller for Palace with 13 minutes remaining.
The ECHO was in attendance at Wembley and here we run the rule over Slot's players, who were eliminated from the Champions League last season after another woeful penalty shoot-out.
Alisson Becker 8
Excellent stop when one-on-one with Mateta but no chance with eventual penalty. Good stops from Richards and Eze as Palace pressed second half.
Jeremie Frimpong 6
Chipped the ball into top corner for second goal when looking to cross, but exposed a bit defensively on occasion. Took heavy bang from Wharton second half.
Ibrahima Konate 6
Snuffed out a few Palace counters before interval but never totally convincing at the back up against awkward Palace forwards. Booked.
Virgil van Dijk 5
Height important when dealing with Palace set-pieces but rash to challenge Sarr to concede penalty and then unwisely attempted to play same player offside for second equaliser. Not his best afternoon.
Milos Kerkez 6
Made a couple of strong forward runs early on but largely on defensive duties first half and clearly still adjusting to the left-back role. Subbed.
Dominik Szoboszlai 6
Got through plenty of work first half and long diagonal found Frimpong for second, but guilty of losing possession far too often during strange spell after break.
Curtis Jones 6
The more quiet of the engine-room triumvirate with primary focus helping to provide support for defence. Subbed.
Mohamed Salah 6
Flitted in and out of the game as he looked to forge understanding with Frimpong down right. Shot saved by Henderson second half but his penalty in the shoot-out wasn't great. Booked.
Florian Wirtz 7
Key part in fashioning chance for opening goal and impressed first half with clever touches, turns and passes, but physicality was learning curve after half-time. Booked and subbed.
Cody Gakpo 6
Worked hard down the left in both directions but decision-making not always on point first half. Better in that respect after break but overall less influence and was outmuscled in build-up to Palace second.
Hugo Ekitike 8
Took the opening goal incredibly well, showed a few neat touches, offered himself as focal point and demonstrated good turn of pace. Subbed.
SUBS
Alexis Mac Allister (for Ekitike 71) 6
Rightly escaped penalty shout when ball struck arm but guilty of some overly ambitious passes and a poor shoot-out penalty.
Wataru Endo (for Jones 71) 6
Couldn’t quite provide the defensive composure to Liverpool’s midfield that was needed.
Harvey Elliott (for Wirtz 84)
Minutes for the attacking midfielder, who also missed from the spot in the finale.
Andy Robertson (for Kerkez 84)
Instantly got involved down the left flank.