The Community Shield is the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season.
Community shield trophy (Liverpool Crystal Palace)
Community shield trophy (Liverpool Crystal Palace)
Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, aiming to kick off the new season with silverware at Wembley.
The Community Shield is the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season.
It pits the Premier League champions against the FA Cup winners at Wembley Stadium.
For Liverpool, it is a chance to start the new campaign by adding silverware to the cabinet.
They won the competition in 2022, and now they are back to try again.
Arne Slot’s first year at Anfield could not have gone better.
He delivered the Premier League title at the first attempt.
Now he has the chance to lift another trophy before the league season begins as Liverpool lock horns with Crystal Palace at Wembley.
The squad is in good shape, with several exciting summer signings ready for competitive debuts.
Fans are eager to see how they fit into the team.
There are some injury concerns in defence, but the Reds will still field a strong side.
The aim is clear: win the game, build momentum, and set the tone for the season ahead.
Liverpool’s XI will be close to full strength.
Alisson Becker is back in goal after missing the last friendly, with Slot confirming he will start.
In defence, Jeremie Frimpong is expected to fill in at right-back with Conor Bradley out.
Virgil van Dijk returns to partner Ibrahima Konate, while Andy Robertson keeps his spot at left-back.
Midfield should see Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai start.
Alexis Mac Allister is fit but not ready for 90 minutes.
Slot explained, “He will be in the squad. He was out for two months I think, or longer because we didn’t play him in the last four games of the season.”
“He trained with us since a week now, played 30 minutes, 45 minutes.”
“So that’s not a situation where you would start a player [and] play him for 90 minutes.”
“Starting is possible but definitely not for 90 minutes.”
Florian Wirtz, the £116m record signing, starts behind Hugo Ekitike.
Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will operate on the wings.
Predicted XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
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