Losing In Community Shield, Strong Warning For Liverpool To Defend The Premier League Title

JAKARTA - Virgil van Dijk called Liverpool's defeat to Crystal Palace at Community Shield a disappointing start to defend the Premier League title.

Liverpool drew 2-2 with Palace at Wembley last weekend. Despite having won twice through new players Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, the Reds then lost on penalties with a score of 2-3.

Mohamed Salah missed a penalty, before Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott's kicks were parried by Dean Henderson.

Liverpool want to defend their Premier League title for the first time since 1984. However, captain Van Dijk is not happy with how his team started this season.

"Obviously we lost. So, it wasn't a good start, but we had to go through the game after the game."

"That's our mindset, and it's always been our mindset. This season will be very intense in all competitions, and we have to be ready to show our quality in that regard.

"There are good things, but there are also a lot of things we have to improve on. We have to keep trying and that's our plan now."

"You want to win the game, it's a final, it's a trophy we're fighting for, and that's a disappointing part of everything," he told ESPN.

Arne Slot chose four of his new players to start at Wembley. In 20 minutes, three of them were directly involved in the goal.

Florian Wirtz, who was signed from Bayern Leverkusen for a 100 million transfer fee, provided an assist to Ekitike, who joined Eintracht Frankfurt, after just four minutes.

Frimpong, who also joined from Leverkusen, then poked the ball past Dean Henderson from a tight angle to give Liverpool a 2-1 lead, after Jean-Philippe Mateta equalized from the penalty spot, following Van Dijk's foul on Ismaila Sarr.

Van Dijk said he was happy with the contribution of his new colleagues and how they adapted to the club.

"The players who come bring quality to the team, the players who leave, we wish them all the best on their next adventure. That's how football sometimes works."

"In my opinion, all the new players have adapted pretty well. Obviously, it's important when you come to a new club to be able to immediately show yourself up and feel welcome. I think the players feel that way."

"I think we have a very good player. We have quality players. That's definitely the reason we won the Premier League last season, but not only because of quality but also because of hard work and great determination," said the Dutch defender.

Liverpool will open the Premier League season at Anfield against Bournemouth on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

Van Dijk gave a stern warning to his teammates that they should play better.

"There are a lot of good things in Community Shield matches, but there's still a lot of work to be done."

"We have five more days to prepare for the start of the Premier League. That's what we have to do," he said.