Liverpool suffered a bump in the road ahead of the new Premier League season as Arne Slot's new-look side lost the FA Community Shield on penalties against Crystal Palace.
Slot included summer signings Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike from the start at Wembley Stadium with Reds fans impressed early on by their new arrivals.
Wirtz's brilliant flick teed up Ekitike for a debut goal inside the first four minutes, before Frimpong smashed home to double Liverpool's lead, after Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised from the penalty spot.
However, Slot's charges were unable to ease away from the defending FA Cup holders in the second half, and Ismaïla Sarr's late goal sent the contest to a tense shootout.
Dean Henderson was once again the Palace hero, as he kept out Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott - after Mohamed Salah skewed his effort off target - before Justin Devenney clinched the trophy for Oliver Glasner.
Defeat is a setback for Slot, ahead of the season opener at home to Bournemouth on August 15, but the Dutch coach has no doubts over his decision to make major squad changes this on the back of winning the title in 2024/25.
"These are players we have brought in for quite a lot of money, but they know how to handle pressure. Both of them [Ekitike and Wirtz] played a good game," as per BBC Sport.
"After two years of no change, we brought a lot of money in and I think it's a good moment to get new energy in. We've lost four starters and players that have played a lot for us. Some wanted to leave, like Trent.
"We had to bring players in and that's what we did. We have to make sure we're ready for Bournemouth and then after that we have Newcastle away and Arsenal - I don't need to tell you how good those two teams are."
On the subject of Newcastle, the Magpies have reportedly given Slot a final answer on Alexander Isak, with the Tyneside giants confirming they will not sell the Sweden international to Liverpool.
That could spell the end of any further reinforcements for Slot, despite a lingering interest in Brentford's Yoane Wissa, but there could be more squad exits before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
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