Jamie Carragher ‘nervous’ Arne Slot will keep costing Liverpool games this season doing one thing

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Jamie Carragher couldn’t hide his frustration with Liverpool’s defence as they took on Crystal Palace in the Community Shield 2025.

Palace claim the first silverware of the season, with Oliver Glasner winning at Wembley again. Despite being behind two times, the Eagles turned it around on both occasions and came out winners on Sunday afternoon.

Some Liverpool players had shockers, including some of the more reliable names. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, in particular, were poor.

It just wasn’t a dominant Liverpool performance, which raised a prominent issue with Arne Slot’s side.

Jamie Carragher frustrated at Liverpool’s defending

After Palace’s opener, Jamie Carragher highlighted Liverpool’s defensive issue – leaving space behind, which the Reds were punished for.

Carragher writes: “Liverpool looking great going forward but susceptible defensively, as we’ve seen all pre-season. A lot of the goals conceded by LFC have come from going man to man really aggressively & leaving space in behind.

“Today, [Milos] Kerkez is getting dragged inside with [Ismaila] Sarr leaving [Cody] Gakpo chasing.”

This ultimately stems from Slot’s instructions for the players to press aggressively.

Someone responded to Jamie, stating that he believes this will lead to Liverpool being involved in ‘a lot of high scoring games this season’. Carragher agreed.

Virgil van Dijk had a nightmare against Crystal Palace

It was a poor defensive display, particularly from the Liverpool captain. Van Dijk conceded the penalty for Palace’s first and was also culpable for their second.

In the 77th minute, with Liverpool 2-1 ahead, Adam Wharton threaded a pass to Ismaila Sarr. Van Dijk had stepped up looking for offside, allowing Sarr to race through and slot past Alisson.

Carragher reiterated his frustration on X, posting a simple but effective message to the 34-year-old and Liverpool’s defence: “Again!”

Van Dijk rarely makes a mistake, so two in a game is simply ludicrous.

He is usually the most assured man on the pitch, not in the Community Shield. The Dutchman had a bit of a shocker against the Eagles, at fault for both of the Palace goals.

Not a good day at the office for the usually very reliable 34-year-old.