The Daily Star Ireland
This year’s FA Community Shield sets the stage for a captivating showdown between underdog Crystal Palace and reigning Premier League champions Liverpool. It’s a battle of momentum versus pedigree, with both teams aiming to mark the start of the season with silverware at Wembley.
Crystal Palace’s Breakthrough Moment
Crystal Palace step into uncharted territory as they prepare for their first-ever appearance in the Community Shield. Their dramatic FA Cup final victory over Manchester City has not only boosted morale but also signaled the beginning of a new chapter under manager Oliver Glasner.
Eberechi Eze, whose brilliant goal secured that FA Cup triumph, remains the heartbeat of Palace’s creative engine. His ability to glide past defenders and create chances from tight spaces makes him the team’s most dangerous asset. Palace have had a subdued summer transfer window, resisting overtures from clubs like Liverpool for defender Marc Guehi. New signings Walter Benitez and Borno Sosa are still adapting, and injuries to key players like Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad pose early-season challenges for Glasner’s plans.
Liverpool’s New Era Under Arne Slot
Liverpool, entering as heavy favourites, are embarking on a new journey under head coach Arne Slot. After reclaiming the league title, the Merseyside giants have reinforced their squad with a £270 million investment, adding rising stars such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike.
Their pre-season performances have been emphatic, including high-scoring wins over Athletic Bilbao and Yokohama. Despite some defensive concerns, Slot has been encouraged by the growing connection between Wirtz and Mohamed Salah, while Alisson’s return from a personal break solidifies their last line of defense. With Virgil van Dijk expected to lead the backline and Ekitike poised to start up front, Liverpool are expected to control the pace of the game from the outset.
Head-to-Head and Tactical Breakdown
Historically, Liverpool have had the upper hand, claiming victory in three of their last five meetings with Palace. However, the Eagles have made life difficult for the Reds. They held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at the close of last season and pulled off a notable 1-0 win at Anfield in April 2024—a result that rattled Liverpool’s title chase.
Palace will likely rely on their disciplined pressing and rapid transitions to counter Liverpool’s expansive play. Eze, with 12 goal contributions in his last 13 appearances, will be crucial in exploiting gaps in midfield and launching counters. Liverpool, for their part, are expected to dominate possession and use their attacking width and depth to apply consistent pressure.
Scoreline Prediction and What to Expect
This match offers more than a trophy; it’s a statement about each team’s trajectory heading into the 2025–26 season. Palace’s resilience and hunger make them dangerous opponents, but Liverpool’s firepower and experience will likely tilt the balance.
A tightly contested affair is expected, but Liverpool’s quality in the final third should prove decisive. A 3–1 victory for the Reds looks the most probable, with goals from Salah and Wirtz sealing the result. Eze may find a moment of brilliance for Palace, but it may not be enough to deny Liverpool another piece of silverware.
Prediction
Liverpool’s dominance in recent matchups, combined with their impressive summer rebuild and attacking options, makes them the clear favourites. For Palace, this is both a milestone and a learning curve as they continue their rise under Glasner.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1:3 Liverpool
