Liverpool Defensive Frailties Persist Despite £270m Summer Signings

Liverpool's 2-2 draw and subsequent penalty shootout loss to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield exposed defensive vulnerabilities despite a strong attacking debut from new signings Hugo Ekitiké, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong. While Liverpool showcased attacking promise, their defense was alarmingly open, with mistakes from captain Virgil van Dijk contributing to Palace's goals, highlighting deeper issues beyond individual errors. The midfield lacked balance in Ryan Gravenberch's absence, with Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai unable to provide adequate defensive cover, allowing Palace time and space to exploit. Liverpool's shift to a 4-2-3-1 system positions Wirtz as a more advanced central player, which impacts defensive coverage during games. Despite the setback, pundits and fantasy football managers remain optimistic about Liverpool's title chances, emphasizing the attacking potential of players like Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz. However, concerns over squad depth, especially in defense following injuries like Joe Gomez's, remain pressing as Liverpool prepare for the Premier League season.