Slot relishes Palace challenge as Liverpool eye Community Shield

Liverpool coach Arne Slot said on Friday his side is relishing the challenge of facing Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield, as the Premier League champions aim to begin the new season with silverware and prepare for their title defence.

Liverpool, who won the Premier League last season to secure a record-equalling 20th English title, face FA Cup winners Palace at Wembley on Sunday.

Liverpool are eyeing a 17th Community Shield title, with their latest coming in 2022.

“It’s nice if you can start the season by winning something. We have a chance at the beginning of the season. We face a difficult Crystal Palace side. They have shown how hard it is to win a one-off game with them,” Slot told reporters.

“Counter-attacks, set-pieces, long-balls to (Palace striker Jean-Philippe) Mateta and individual quality of their forwards. (Athletic) Bilbao, AC Milan and Yokohama already gave us good competition (in pre-season).

“Palace hit the ground running again, it is still the same team. A good challenge for us to start the season.”

Liverpool’s last trip to Wembley ended in a surprise 2-1 League Cup final loss against Newcastle United in March, but Slot was not dwelling on that.

“Not looking back because it’s a different system Newcastle played,” the Dutchman said.

“But the way they played might be similar to how Palace play. They used every freekick to get the ball in our box. Palace are a threat at set-pieces. There are maybe a few overlaps between the two sides.

“On Sunday, one goal will be worth a lot.”

Slot refused to rule out an improved bid for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak as the Premier League champions consider adding to their formidable firepower, with Darwin Nunez set to leave for Saudi Arabia.

After a quiet first year in the transfer market under Slot the Reds have spent almost £300 million ($402 million) on forwards Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike as well as full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

Nunez is one of a number of significant exits that will help recoup much of that outlay as the Uruguayan closes in on a £46 million move to Al Hilal.

Liverpool reportedly had a £110 million bid for Isak turned down by Newcastle, who are seeking a British transfer record fee.

The Swedish striker has not been part of the Magpies’ pre-season preparations and has been told to train on his own by Newcastle. “You never talk about players that are not yours,” Slot said.

“I think we have a lot of attacking power in our team. When I think about Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, Mo Salah, Jeremie Frimpong, who can play as a right-winger, Florian Wirtz, who can play as a left-winger, — I already feel I have a lot of attacking options in my current squad.

“But, as always as a club, we are always looking at the chances in the market.”

Liverpool were devastated last month by the death of forward Diogo Jota.

The Portuguese international was killed in a car accident alongside his brother in northern Spain as he began to make his way back to England for pre-season.

A series of tributes have been paid to Jota at every Liverpool game since and will continue throughout the season.

A “Forever 20” emblem, referencing Jota’s now-retired shirt number, will be printed on Liverpool’s shirts this season, while a permanent memorial will be installed at Anfield.

“First of all, tragedy impacted us but it impacted far more his wife, children and parents,” said Slot.

“But it impacted us as well, definitely. The tributes that have been done since were all very emotional and impressive, every time we were somewhere.

“It started off in Preston and in Asia as well. It’s been emotional, but impressive as well.”

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace head into Sunday’s Community Shield versus Liverpool with a worry list ranging from injuries and lacklustre transfer business to their pending appeal against UEFA’s decision to demote them from the Europa League.

Agencies