Liverpool Fans Target Underperformer After Community Shield Defeat
Arne Slot’s first competitive game as Liverpool manager ended in disappointment as his side lost the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on penalties. Goals from summer signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong showcased the Reds’ attacking potential, while fellow newcomer Florian Wirtz also impressed ahead of the Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday.
But the mood among supporters soured after the Wembley defeat, with many directing criticism at one player they see as the team’s weak link. Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr cancelled out Liverpool’s goals in regulation, before Justin Devenny’s decisive penalty sealed the trophy for Oliver Glasner’s side.
Gakpo Struggles to Make Impact in Community Shield Defeat
While Hugo Ekitike’s composed finishing, Florian Wirtz’s clever link-up play, and Jeremie Frimpong’s relentless running caught the eye at Wembley, Cody Gakpo’s performance was a less positive talking point for Liverpool.
Starting on the left wing, the Dutchman endured a quiet afternoon. Across 43 touches, only four came inside the Palace penalty area, and Oliver Glasner’s defence rarely looked unsettled. His passing was also below par, completing 20 of 25 attempts (80%), while his ground duel record—winning just one of five—added to a disappointing display.
Gakpo, who has made 128 appearances for the Reds since joining from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, was linked earlier this summer with interest from Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich.
Supporters Voice Frustration Over Gakpo Display
Cody Gakpo’s muted showing in the Community Shield drew sharp criticism from sections of the Liverpool fanbase. Many accused the 1999-born forward of disrupting the team’s rhythm, with one post on X claiming he was “killing the fluidity of the team and slowing everything down,” while another urged him to “speed things up and make a decision quicker.”
Some compared him unfavourably to debutant Hugo Ekitike, who excelled when drifting to the left flank. One supporter dismissed Gakpo’s one-on-one ability as “poor viewing,” while another described him as “visibly the worst person on our team.” Others were equally blunt, with one fan writing: “Gakpo is the odd one out in this Liverpool team.”
