A dramatic 2025 Community Shield required a penalty shootout to separate the two teams as Crystal Palace triumphed over Liverpool at Wembley.
Liverpool looked on course to claim a 17th Community Shield title until late in the second half after a Jeremie Frimpong goal had handed them a lead.
Hugo Ekitike wasted no time in announcing himself to the Liverpool faithful as he slammed home after four minutes to give the Reds an early lead.
However, Ismaila Sarr won a first-half penalty for Crystal Palace, that was converted by Jean-Philippe Mateta, before grabbing a goal of his own to take the game to penalties.
The stage was then set for a dramatic penalty shootout as Mohamed Salah blazed the first spotkick over the bar before Dean Henderson emerged as Palace’s hero. Here are five lessons learned from a dramatic Community Shield clash.
Mohamed Salah, Jeremie Frimpong and Curtis Jones celebrate a goal duing Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Hugo Ekitike announces his arrival at Liverpool
Arne Slot did not rest on his laurels after Liverpool claimed the title, as the Dutchman launched an ambitious rebuild of his squad.
With Darwin Nunez quitting Liverpool to move to Saudi Arabia, new signing Hugo Ekitike was handed the responsibility of leading the line at Wembley.
Ekitike was lively early on, with his movement causing the Palace defence problems, and he opened his Liverpool account with just his fourth touch, rifling into the bottom corner after four minutes.
It was the perfect way for the big-money signing to announce himself to the Liverpool faithful and hit the ground running with his new club.
Ismaila Sarr set for big season with Crystal Palace
Ismaila Sarr was one of the catalysts behind Palace’s run to FA Cup glory last season and picked up exactly where he left off in the sunshine at Wembley.
The Senegalese forward enjoyed the most productive season of his Premier League career in the 2024/25 season, scoring eight and registering six assists according to the stats from ESPN.
Sarr was instrumental in Palace’s first-half equaliser, drawing a foul from Virgil van Dijk to win the penalty, which Jean-Philippe Mateta duly converted. He then scored Palace’s equaliser, latching onto a pass from Adam Wharton to finish well.
With Eberechi Eze attracting interest from several clubs thanks to his brilliant recent form, Sarr proved that Palace are far from a one-man attack as he looks set for another strong season.
Ismaila Sarr is tackled by Virgil van Dijk during Crystal Palace v Liverpool in the 2025 FA Community Shield
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Jeremie Frimpong proves there is life after Trent Alexander-Arnold
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid on a free transfer could have blown a hole in Slot’s defence.
But Dutch international Jeremie Frimpong proved that there is life after the former fan favourite in his first competitive appearance for the Reds.
Frimpong was impressive at right back, getting back well to stop a dangerous attack from Eze in the first half and starting a flowing attack that also involved new arrivals Florian Wirtz and Ekitike, which was ended by an offside against Cody Gakpo.
The Dutchman capped off his appearance with a bizarre goal, as his attempted cross drifted into Dean Henderson’s net.
Adam Wharton recovers from slow start to lay on the second goal
Both Liverpool and Crystal Palace were forced to change their midfield plans on the fly as Ryan Gravenberch pulled out on the verge of the game and Daichi Kamada limped off midway through the first half.
Whilst Curtis Jones impressed at the heart of the Reds’ midfield, England hopeful Adam Wharton took time to get up to speed as his passing let him down at times.
Wharton was wasteful in possession for the Eagles, as his pass accuracy hovered around the 60% mark for the majority of the game.
However, Wharton grew into the game as Palace took control of the second half, and his slide rule pass was crucial to Sarr’s dramatic equaliser.
Adam Wharton looks on during Crystal Palace v Liverpool in the 2025 FA Community Shield
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Mohamed Salah needs time to gel with his new teammates
Although Liverpool’s new signings generally impressed as the Reds claimed more silverware, their most influential figure of recent years, Mohamed Salah, cut a peripheral figure.
Salah had the fewest touches of any Liverpool player in the first half, with just 12 according to FotMob, as Wirtz and Ekitike provided Liverpool’s biggest threat in attack. Salah grew into the game in the second half but was some way off his threatening best.
The prolific Egyptian forward will undoubtedly play a crucial role for the Reds this season, as his 186 goals and 87 assists since joining the club prove, but he blazed his penalty into the stands to cap a disappointing afternoon.
However, following the departure of Nunez and Luis Diaz, and the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Salah may need to take some time to acclimatise to his new colleagues in attack.