Palace Stun Liverpool in Penalty Drama: Kerkez Blamed for Defensive Woes

Arne Slot’s side were beaten on penalties at Wembley after a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes (Picture: Getty)

Steve McManaman has called out Liverpool ’s £40m new signing Milos Kerkez following Sunday’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace .

The Eagles stunned Arne Slot ’s side on penalties after a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes at Wembley, lifting the trophy for the first time in their history.

Kerkez, who joined Liverpool from AFC Bournemouth this summer, was notably out of sync with the Reds’ defensive line and played Palace stars onside when they won the penalty that led to the Eagles’ first goal.

Speaking about the 21-year-old left-back after the match, former Liverpool winger McManaman told TNT Sports: ‘It was Kerkez playing everybody onside.

‘Everybody stepped forward and the left-back was stepping backwards. That gave Palace the opportunity – and Palace were exploiting it a lot of the time.

‘They were putting balls into that area, especially in the second half, almost doing it blind.’

Milos Kerkez has been called out by Steve McManaman (Picture: Getty)

McManaman added: ‘I think the two goals today – not taking anything away from Crystal Palace – but if we’re talking about Liverpool’s defensive issues, they were defensive mistakes.

‘There are things to work on and they will get better the more they get used to playing with each other as they are new players in a new system.

‘But there are causes for concern because they are a bit vulnerable defensively.’

Virgil van Dijk gave away a clumsy penalty in the first half (Picture: Getty)

Fellow former Liverpool star Chris Kirkland has urged his old club to sign another new defender before the summer transfer window closes.

‘We were exciting going forward but slightly weaker in defence,’ Kirkland told the BBC.

‘I would love to see another defender come in. We want [Newcastle United striker Alexander] Isak, we have bid for him, and he wants to come to us.

‘Normally, when that is the case, a deal gets done. I want a centre-back and a forward because we are all greedy in this world.’

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, meanwhile, has admitted that his team are conceding too many goals ahead of the new Premier League season.

‘We conceded two goals [today] which we [also] did against [Athletic Bilbao in pre-season],’ Slot told TNT Sports.

‘We conceded a couple more against AC Milan. That is something we need to do better.