Liverpool manager Arne Slot has warned that his side must improve defensively ahead of the new Premier League season, after conceding twice in their Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on 10 August.
The Reds, who lost 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Wembley, have been prolific in front of goal during pre-season, scoring 20 times in six friendlies. However, they have also shipped eight goals in their last four matches, raising concerns about balance.
Slot acknowledged that Liverpool’s new-look attack bolstered by big-money signings Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez has added creativity and cutting edge. But he admitted that defensive solidity, a hallmark of last season’s title-winning campaign, has been missing.
“Last season we had a lot of ball possession, but it didn’t always lead to promising situations,” Slot said. “Now we are better at creating and getting into promising positions than we were throughout last season. But the other side is also true, what made us really strong last year was keeping clean sheets or conceding no more than one goal. At the moment, that’s not the case.”
He added: “It may need a little adjustment defensively because we don’t give away a lot of chances, but we are conceding goals.”
Despite the defensive concerns, Slot remains confident the squad will adapt, saying: “Sometimes you need time to adjust whether that’s offensively or defensively when new players come in.”
Liverpool will begin their Premier League title defence at Anfield against Bournemouth on 15 August.
