Losing the Community Shield is hardly the be-all and end-all. Twice under Jurgen Klopp did Liverpool lose on penalties in the season's curtain-raiser at Wembley, the first of which the Reds won the Premier League in 2019/20; the second time, they came third, mounting an incredible late-season comeback following staggering injury problems.
The fact that just one Community Shield winner has lifted the English top-flight trophy that same year is an ill omen that has been bandied about plenty; and, with apologies to Crystal Palace, that's hardly likely to change this year.
Marc Guehi lifts the Community Shield with Crystal Palace
Still, Arne Slot's side watched the Eagles lift the silver plate on Sunday after coming from a goal down twice and then winning on penalties after a sorry shootout effort from Liverpool, who missed three of their five spot-kicks.
But having looked disjointed in defence and been overwhelmed in the late stages of the game, it's clear that Liverpool 2.0 have work to do, even with marquee signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike standing out as potential superstars.
Mohamed Salah was kept quiet, skying his penalty besides, but Virgil van Dijk was at fault for both of Palace's goals, and the overall lack of solidity at the back puts a light on the need for a new centre-back.
Why Liverpool want to sign Marc Guehi
Van Dijk's error-riddled outing at Wembley is hardly anything to be seriously concerned about. The skipper is one of the greatest defenders of his generation, and though he turned 34 in July, remains one of the finest in the Premier League.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
However, the skipper and his central defensive partner, Ibrahima Konate, have it all to do on their own at the moment, with Liverpool having sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m. Joe Gomez is currently out injured, exacerbating the issue.
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi appears the top choice to strengthen the rearguard, and the 25-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, appears likely to be sold this summer.
Valued at an excessive £45m and with Tottenham Hotspur also keen, Liverpool would be wise to keep their options open. And they are, with an exciting alternative in sporting director Richard Hughes' sights.
Liverpool in for Guehi alternative
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool might have shortlisted Guehi, but he's not the only one, with Parma's Giovanni Leoni also on FSG's radar.
Parma defender Giovanni Leoni
Romano commented on his podcast: "Guehi remains one of the options for Liverpool, for sure. He's more experienced than the other options they have on their list.
"What I can tell you today is that Liverpool are really really considering as a special talent, Parma talent, Giovanni Leoni. This kid is really special."
Leoni, 18, is regarded as one of the best defensive prospects in Italian football and is already valued at €40m (£34m) by his side.
Inter Milan also have a vested interest in the teenager, so Liverpool will need to canvass a compelling proposal if they hope to bring him over to Merseyside, well away from his homeland.
What Giovanni Leoni would bring to Liverpool
Leoni might have a meagre amount of professional experience to his name, but the hype around him only reinforces Liverpool's interest, for this is one of the most exciting young defenders in the game.
The Reds have already shown a willingness to pay a significant fee for 20-year-old Dean Huijsen this summer, but the Spain star opted to leave Bournemouth and sign for Real Madrid in a £50m deal.
dean-huijsen-real-madrid
In Leoni, Liverpool may yet land their own version of the Los Blancos prodigy, one who would be a willing understudy beneath Van Dijk and Konate for the next few years, stepping in when required and learning from the craft of two elite-level peers.
Standing at 6 foot 5, Leoni already has the physical profile to become a monstrous defensive force, even after just making 17 senior showings for Parma, scoring one goal.
In fact, his efforts in Serie A last season said much about his potential, already displaying a certain level of ability that is reminiscent of Van Dijk, who is one of the most complete defenders out there.
League Stats 24/25 - Van Dijk vs Leoni
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Touches*
Pass completion
Key passes*
Ball recoveries*
Dribbles*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Duels (won)*
Errors made
Data via Sofascore
Obviously, Leoni is not on Van Dijk's level, but his crispness on the ball, coolness, avoiding errors, and confidence in the duel all bespeak a roundedness that could see him succeed Liverpool's Netherlands superstar down the line.
The rising star has, after all, been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig for being "one of the most complete teenage centre-backs in Europe."
He also won a higher percentage of his aerial battles than any other U20 central defender across the top seven leagues worldwide in 2024/25, bespeaking a headed ability that is akin to that of Van Dijk.
In fact, Leoni has already spoken of his admiration for Liverpool's defensive great, revealing during an interview when he was only 16 years old that he takes inspiration from the Liverpool captain, who is so cultured and composed on the ball, yet so devastatingly crunching in the challenge.
Liverpool would certainly enjoy more of an instant effect by signing Guehi this summer, but might it be that Leoni has a higher ceiling? Already, the Italian is catching the eye on the senior stage in Serie A, and FSG appear willing to part with a similar sum to Guehi in order to reel him in this summer.
There's much to consider, but with such a strong central defensive partnership and Gomez to cover too, the Anfield side might want to take a chance and sign this ultimate Van Dijk heir now, before he moves to another top outfit.