Community Shield preview: Liverpool take on Crystal Palace with their last five matches’ form and predicted starting XI for both sides ahead of the big game.
Liverpool have only won the Community Shield outright once in their past six appearances as league champions, beating Wimbledon 2-1 in 1988. FA Cup winners have beaten league champions in seven of the past nine editions. Crystal Palace are making their first Community Shield appearance, and none of the past four debutant teams have lifted the trophy — two of those losses came against Liverpool. In head-to-heads, the Eagles have won just once in their past 16 meetings with the Reds, a 1-0 victory at Anfield in April 2024. This match will be a major test for Palace as they look to end Liverpool’s dominant record.
Liverpool: 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss – solid form overall, with the attack scoring freely.
Crystal Palace: 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss – defensively disciplined and hard to break down.
In the last 16 meetings, Liverpool have won 12, drawn 3, and lost just once — that defeat coming in April 2024 at Anfield when Palace won 1-0.
Alisson Becker, Frimpong, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo.
Dean Henderson, Nathaniel Clyne, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell, Cheick Doucouré, Jeffrey Schlupp, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Ayew, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Sarr.
Liverpool have the edge in experience and a strong head-to-head record, while Palace will look to counter quickly and rely on creative talents like Eberechi Eze to change the game. However, Liverpool’s clinical finishing could prove decisive in securing the trophy.
Reds smash the Eagles 3-0 — game wrapped up early, Liverpool fans smiling, Palace flying home with heavy hearts.