LONDON -- It was an afternoon during which Liverpool both dazzled and disappointed. The Premier League champions never fell behind in Sunday's FA Community Shield and yet, ultimately, it was their opponents Crystal Palace who went home with the prize after following up an entertaining 2-2 draw with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory at Wembley.

For the second time in a matter of months -- after March's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final -- Liverpool were forced to leave the capital empty handed having failed to deliver the kind of performance befitting of a team that will go into the new season as title favourites. There were positives to take for Arne Slot's side but also plenty of lessons to learn as they prepare to start their 2025-26 campaign in earnes

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