Liverpool lost the Community Shield on penalties to Crystal Palace, and the actions of several Reds stars in the aftermath of the defeat says it all about Arne Slot's squad
Florian Wirtz looks on with a medal around his neck after the Community Shield
Florian Wirtz took his medal off after Liverpool lost in the Community Shield
(Image: X/Aadam Patel)
Liverpool's exciting new era got off to a stuttering start on Sunday with defeat in the Community Shield to Crystal Palace. But the treatment of the runner-up medals from new signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike in the aftermath of the loss should hearten fans.
After the medals had been handed out, Wirtz was seen taking his off almost immediately. Ekitike was also spotted holding his, instead of wearing it, as he walked down the stairs from where the players were handed them at Wembley.
Given Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, Harvey Elliott, Milos Kerkez and Alisson Becker were all seen coming down the stairs with their medals in hand, it's a simple visual demonstration of just how the Premier League champions are deeply uncomfortable with losing, and how they do not want to be associated with feeling like it's any sort of achievement.
Ekitike stunned Wembley as he fired the Reds into an early lead, before a penalty converted by Jean-Philippe Mateta thrust the Eagles back into the game. Another of Liverpool's newest stars, Jeremie Frimpong, then put Arne Slot's team ahead after 20 minutes as they made their early dominance count.
However, a lacklustre second half from the Reds meant Palace found themselves level again through Ismaila Sarr. A penalty shoot-out followed full-time where Liverpool succumbed 3-2 due to some heroics between the sticks from Palace keeper Dean Henderson.
Liverpool signed Wirtz to be a transformer for the team, and his first half performance showed just why the club secured a British-record deal worth up to £116million to sign him from Bayer Leverkusen. Yet with such an ability comes a unique state of mind that Liverpool will have been just as eager to have on board.
Florian Wirtz takes his medal off
Wirtz (L) could be seen taking his medal off(Image: X/Aadam Patel)
The German has made no secret about what drives him: winning it all. Upon signing for the club in June, Wirtz admitted that he is coming for the game's biggest prizes, showing why a runners-up medal means very little to him.
"I would like to win everything every year," the 22-year-old said. "First of all, we have to do our work," said Wirtz, whose shirt number will be announced later in the summer.
"Last season they [Liverpool] won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious."
Likewise, Ekitike did not make the move to Anfield to make up the numbers. After being unveiled by the club, the Frenchman claimed there was no time for complacency, Premier League champions or not.
"Obviously Liverpool are already on the top, but we have still things to reach," Ekitike said.
"That’s why we want to be the best and need to improve every season to go and reach the success."
Hugo Ekitike holds his medal after the defeat
Hugo Ekitike took his medal off after the defeat(Image: X/Aadam Patel)
Speaking after the game, Slot declined to push the panic button, with the Reds' first game of the Premier League season on Friday night, against Bournemouth, fast approaching.
"In the whole pre-season we saw we are able to create more opportunities, chances, we dominate maybe even more," said Slot. "Now we are better in creating and getting promising situations than we were in the whole of last season but it is also true that we have conceded two against [Athletic Club] Bilbao and two again today.
"We need to be better defensively," the Dutch coach admitted. "It is disappointing of course, if you go in front and you are not able to win the game."
He reminded his players over the club's lofty standards, adding: "We are Liverpool, the pressure is always on. Even if we bring 10 players in, or no players in, there is always pressure when you wear a Liverpool shirt."