Crystal Palace defeated Liverpool in Sunday’s Community Shield as the annual curtain-raiser was decided by penalties for the third year running.
Arne Slot’s side got off to a dream start at the home of football as summer signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike combined to open the scoring after four minutes.
Liverpool continued to dominate the early going but it was Palace who struck next, with Jean-Philippe Mateta converting from 12 yards after Ismaila Sarr was brought down by Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool then swiftly reclaimed their advantage courtesy of a wonderful cross-cum-shot from Jeremie Frimpong.
Palace were the more productive of the two teams after the restart and were rewarded for their efforts when Ismaila Sarr levelled the scoring with a tidy finish from close range.
The game ultimately went to spot kicks as Dean Henderson made a pair of crucial saves for Oliver Glasner’s side before substitute Justin Devenney fired home the winning penalty.
Daily Mail Sport’s AADAM PATEL was at Wembley to offer his expert analysis on how both teams performed.
Crystal Palace defeated Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield at Wembley
Oliver Glasner’s side battle back from going behind twice before winning in the shootout
CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-2-1)
Dean Henderson (8)
Could have done better for Hugo Ekitike’s strike but could do nothing to keep out Jeremie Frimpong’s goal. Made some crucial saves then kept out Mac Allister and Elliott in the shoot out with two brilliant stops.
Chris Richards (6)
Had his work cut out as part of the Palace back three. Perhaps could have closed down Ekitike before he got his shot away for Liverpool’s opener. Always offered a threat from set-pieces.
Maxence Lacroix (6)
Like Richards, battled well but struggled to handle Ekitike, who had chance after chance. On another day, Liverpool could have scored four or five if they were clinical.
Marc Guehi (7)
Was solid against a quality Liverpool attack. Arne Slot’s side are interested in him. Worryingly, he hobbled off the field late on, though it only looked like cramp.
Marc Guehi demonstrated why he is so coveted with an assured display in the heart of defence
Daniel Munoz (7.5)
Certainly not afraid to go forward and gave Kerkez plenty to think about down Liverpool’s left-hand side. Always full of energy and one of Palace’s most impressive players.
Adam Wharton (7)
Struggled to get in the game until the second half but when he did, he was brilliant and their second goal came from him getting the ball off Gakpo and playing through Sarr.
Daichi Kamada (5.5)
Made a tidy start but got injured in the first-half and was replaced in the 29th minute by Will Hughes.
Tyrick Mitchell (6.5)
Solid defensively and did well against Mohamed Salah though unlike Munoz down the other side, didn’t offer much going forward. Taken off for Borna Sosa in the 79th minute.
Ismaila Sarr (8.5)
The kind of player that always looks like he’s about to make something happen. Crucially got the penalty in the first-half then finished brilliantly to make it 2-2. Lovely penalty in the shoot out too.
After a quiet opening 45 minutes, Adam Wharton was at his creative best in the second half
Ismaila Sarr was a consistent threat and netted his side’s all-important second-half equaliser
A constant thorn in Liverpool’s side, Jean-Philippe Mateta took his penalty well for Palace’s first goal
Eberechi Eze (6.5)
Kept Frimpong on his toes but didn’t get on the ball enough. Forced Alisson to make a good save after the break and was denied by the Brazilian in the shoot out.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (7.5)
Made no mistake from the spot to equalise and was a force all game with his hold-up play. Battled brilliantly with both Van Dijk and Konate. Scored his penalty.
Subs
Will Hughes (6.5)
On for Kamada in the 29th minute.
Borna Sosa (5.5)
On for Mitchell in the 79th minute.
Jefferson Lerma (N/A)
On for Wharton in the 85th minute.
Justin Devenny (N/A)
On for Guehi in the 94th minute.
Manager
Oliver Glasner (8)
The man who delivered yet another day of joy for Crystal Palace. His side were brilliant and went toe-to-toe with the Premier League favourites.
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)
Alisson Becker (7)
Made a good save to deny Mateta early on but was sent the wrong way for the penalty. Solid after the break, making an array of stops but was beaten by Sarr. Unlucky in the shootout.
Jeremie Frimpong (7)
Scored from an impossible angle – even if he didn’t mean it. The kind of all-action display that showed why Liverpool wanted him but there’s work to be done defensively.
Virgil van Dijk (6)
Gave away the penalty with a silly foul on Ismaila Sarr and will know that he stepped up at the wrong time before Sarr’s equaliser. Certainly not his best performance.
Ibrahima Konate (6.5)
Alongside Van Dijk, ensured that Liverpool’s full-backs had the license to attack. Crucial that he stays fit and dealt well with Mateta’s physicality but caught out for Sarr’s goal.
Virgil van Dijk produced a poor performance based on his exceptionally high standards
In his first Wembley start Milos Kerkez looked promising as part of Liverpool’s new-look back line
Jeremie Frimpong capped off an impressive performance with an exceptional goal
Milos Kerkez (6.5)
One of four debutants to start for Liverpool. Plenty of positives going forward but he did keep getting dragged inside. Replaced late on for Andy Robertson.
Curtis Jones (6)
In the side after Ryan Gravenberch was missing and held his own but didn’t really do anything of note before he was replaced by Wataru Endo in the 71st minute.
Dominik Szoboszlai (7.5)
Got the assist for Frimpong’s goal and showed glimpses of his brilliance through the game. Linked up really well with Wirtz throughout and scored a quality penalty.
Mohamed Salah (6.5)
Another who linked up well with Wirtz but this was a relatively quiet afternoon for the Ballon d’Or nominee. Came close to getting the winner late on in normal time before skying his penalty over the bar.
Florian Wirtz (9)
Looked like he’s been a Liverpool player for years. Constantly involved and created chance after chance. Got the assist for Ekitike and the only thing missing from his performance was a goal.
Florian Wirtz looked every bit a £100m player as he pulled the strings for Arne Slot’s side
Hugo Ekitike got Liverpool off to a dream start by opening the scoring after just four minutes
Cody Gakpo (6.5)
Struggled to show his quality in the final third and a mediocre display was summed up when he was dispossessed by Hughes in the build up to Palace’s second goal. Took his penalty well.
Hugo Ekitike (7.5)
Made the dream start with a lovely strike and caused trouble for Palace throughout but he missed a number of big chances and could easily have got a hat-trick. Already a fan favourite.
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Subs
Wataru Endo (6)
On for Jones in the 71st minute.
Alexis Mac Allister (6)
On for Ekitike in the 71st minute.
Andy Robertson (N/A)
On for Kerkez in the 84th minute.
Harvey Elliott (N/A)
On for Wirtz in the 84th minute.
Manager
Arne Slot (7)
Two defeats in two at Wembley now for Arne Slot. Will know that his side should have finished this game off and if anything, this was an early reminder that they will have to be at their best if they want to defend the Premier League.
Referee
Chris Kavanagh (7)
