Arne Slot offered a congratulatory handshake to Oliver Glasner and was magnanimous amid the frenzy but it was clear inside he was fizzing.

Liverpool’s immaculate opening to the season came undone at Selhurst Park, but those who regularly watch this team might have sensed that a setback like this was looming. Although they may still lead the race for the title, certain concerns need the head coach’s attention.

NO INTENSE IN DEFENCE

No different. Slot was infuriated by the careless and inexperienced manner in which Liverpool let Palace secure their second goal. From Milos Kerkez failing to clear the ball effectively and conceding a throw-in to Jeremie Frimpong attempting to attack when the ball hadn’t been secured, it was a costly minute of mistakes.

“We can only fault ourselves for defending the way we did,” he stated. “One of our players chose to push forward because he wanted to launch a counter-attack, which had no purpose. The time was up. The focus should have solely been on defense. Perhaps we were too attack-oriented—or rather, one player was too attack-oriented.”

Liverpool’s perfect start to the season came to a halt after their defeat at Crystal Palace

It’s uncharacteristic of Slot to assign blame so directly, yet it seems he’s reached a tipping point. Kerkez and Frimpong have experienced challenges since joining from Bournemouth and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively. They’re required to adapt swiftly.

A brief note: After eight matches, they’ve conceded 12 goals and managed merely two clean sheets. In comparison, after eight games the previous year, Liverpool had allowed only four goals and achieved four clean sheets. Slot will remain discontent until these statistics improve.

NOT GOING WITH THE FLO

Florian Wirtz possesses remarkable skill. Observing his energetic runs, his eagerness to press, and how, at moments, it appears as though his boots are coated with Velcro. He makes capturing a ball from the air look as effortless as picking an apple from a tree.

It would be disingenuous, though, to suggest his start to life in this team has been anything other than underwhelming. He was substituted midway through the second period, having fluffed a brilliant chance to equalise, and looked despondent.

To be clear: Nobody is writing Wirtz off. He’s young, he adjusting to a new culture, he’s arrived for a colossal price tag at a difficult time. But, equally, there is going to have to come a point soon when he produces a big moment. Everyone is watching – and waiting.

Florian Wirtz will need to produce a big moment soon after a stuttering start to life at Anfield

MIDDLE MUDDLE

Alexis Mac Allister was substituted again. He’s played 10 games since the start of the season and the only time he has played 90 minutes was for Argentina against Ecuador. Slot, when asked about it on Friday, was evidently irked by how his country deployed him.

‘Where we try to manage his minutes to get him fit for the long term – not for the moment,’ said Slot. ‘That is maybe the difference between being a manager of a club to being a manager of a national team. We have a saying in Holland: “he’s behind the music” – he’s playing catch up.’

Mac Allister was critical to Liverpool’s title triumph, arguably the best midfielder in the division. He doesn’t look that at the moment, however, and it is another facet that Slot must iron out if he is to get Liverpool truly purring.

Alexis Mac Allister looks a shadow of the player who dominated the midfield last season

LOOK WHAT YOU COULD HAVE WON

There were some suggestions afterwards that Marc Guehi may reappear on Liverpool’s radar in January, given the injury that has destroyed Giovanni Leoni’s first season on Merseyside. They are short in central defence and it could be costly.

Liverpool got much credit for their dealings in the summer but the failure to get a deal done with Palace for Guehi could become enormous. The England international was immaculate throughout, even assisting Eddie Nketiah with a flick on to create his chance. He is a fabulous defender.

‘He shows it every game, every training session,’ said Glasner. ‘How fantastic he is and as a person, which is even more important than what he is as a player. He is just so focused on his and our game, there were no thoughts about anything else. It just shows how fantastic and great Marc is.’

Palace had every right to stand their ground and demand the maximum fee for Guehi as they wanted. Liverpool, though, had the money in the bank to do the deal. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but, really, they should have got it done.

Marc Guehi proved just what Liverpool are missing with a commanding display at the back

SALAH THE SLOWBURNER

We are in September and, as such, it would be ridiculous to make a sweeping statement about Mohamed Salah. He is one of the finest players to represent the club, a man capable of producing magic out of nothing. If you think he won’t in the coming months, you haven’t been watching.

That said, if you have been watching Liverpool through the opening weeks, you will know that he’s not operating at his maximum. He was out of sorts at Selhurst Park, he’s not getting the same kind of service that he has done for the last eight years and he is transitioning with the team.

When you have set such high standards and been so spectacular with your consistency, it becomes noticeable when something is not quite clicking. That’s how it is for Salah and that’s how it is, too, for Liverpool as a team. This defeat isn’t fatal – but Slot will know it cannot be repeated.