Liverpool were thwarted in their bid to claim their first piece of silverware of the 2025-26 season after being defeated on penalties by Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
The Premier League champions chose the first competitive match of the season – its traditional curtain-raiser – to show off their new-look starting XI, featuring a number of high-profile summer signings including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike.
The latter announced himself to English football in some style at its centrepiece stadium, scoring inside the first five minutes after kick-off, courtesy of an assist from team-mate Wirtz.
And Frimpong later inked his own name on the scoresheet after delivering a near-freakish strike from just outside the box, timed as Liverpool fans were dedicating a minute’s applause to their late No20, Diogo Jota.
But FA Cup winners Palace never felt out of sight, and clawed their way back to level footing not once but twice during the contest.
With proceedings tied, the trophy was decided from the spot, with Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister among those who were saved by a quick-thinking Dean Henderson.
Crystal Palace won the Community Shield on Sunday at Wembley after besting Liverpool
The match was decided by a nail-biting penalty shoot-out at the home of English football
But Arne Slot may not be too disappointed about the defeat when he studies recent history
However, Arne Slot may not be too disappointed with his side’s showing ahead of the first Premier League match of the campaign this season – as his squad may have dodged the tournament’s alleged curse.
Just one of the last 14 winners of the clash of domestic champions has gone on to lift the Premier League trophy months later, with Manchester City completing the double during the 2018-2019 season.
Before that, fans have to go back to the 2010-11 season to find a team who completed a similar feat: Manchester United.
United have form pulling off the rare combination, having done so five times since 1993.
Only Chelsea have come close to competing with the Red Devils, winning both the Community Shield and Premier League in the 2005-06 and 2009-10 seasons.
Recent history would suggest that Liverpool stars might even be relieved to have avoided winning the prize, with last year’s winners Arsenal a somewhat cautionary tale as their bid to finally interrupt Manchester City’s dominance at the top of the table ended with Slot’s side winning the division.
Crosstown rivals Manchester United have done so five times, including the 2008-09 season
But Mohamed Salah and Co are likely to be keen to switch focus to the upcoming campaign
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Why Arne Slot has reasons to be cheerful despite Liverpool’s defeat by Crystal Palace at Wembley
Even without their runners-up medals, Liverpool still look a team to fear as the Premier League gets underway this week.
Slot’s investment in a sharpened attack as well as refreshed full-backs in Milos Kerkez and Frimpong have only burnished their already impressive top-flight credentials.
And the Reds’ intimidating £250million summer spend might not be over yet, with Daily Mail Sport reporting on Monday that the club are preparing to resume talks with Palace over Marc Guehi.
At the moment however, Palace’s valuation of £45m for the player is some way off what Liverpool are keen to part with, as Guehi has just 11 months left on his current deal.
