Arne Slot makes Liverpool Premier League title claim ahead of Arsenal and Man City battle

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has admitted his side need to tighten up defensively if they are to retain the Premier League title.

Despite twice taking the lead in the Community Shield, sloppy defensive play through the middle allowed Crystal Palace to equalise both times and that led to penalties, which the Eagles won 3-2.

Questions have already been raised over whether Slot needs to bring in another centre-back – they have been linked with Palace’s Marc Guehi, who is in the final year of his contract – as the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen has left him with just three in that position with Joe Gomez injured.

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Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in pre-season, conceding 10 times in five senior games – including four against AC Milan – and Slot knows it is an area that needs attention. Liverpool kick-off their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth next Friday and will battle it out with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City once again for the title.

“It’s a bit mixed feelings. If you look at our attacking play against a team who is so compact, it is maybe a bit better than last season,” Slot told TNT Sports.

“But on the other hand we conceded two goals, which we did against Bilbao and two more against Milan and that’s something we need to do better. I think we are able to create more now but we are conceding more at the moment and if you want to compete to win the league, one of the things is not to concede chances, let alone goals.”

Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson enjoyed his moment in the spotlight, saving two penalties in the shootout. Liverpool’s new signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong both scored but were pegged back each time by goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr.

Mohamed Salah missed his second penalty in a week as one of three failures from the spot in the shootout and Justin Devenny scored Palace’s fifth. “I love the big moments,” Henderson said. “I love being in that pressure moment. The homework we did on penalties was great.

“They have unbelievable players and have a great team, but two trophies in three months is incredible. These emotions are fantastic. With them 2-1 up you think we are out the game. The manager said we’d get chances and we did.”