Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Review
Liverpool looked set to win this year’s FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium, but it was Crystal Palace who claimed the first English trophy of the 2025/26 season. After both teams played a 2-2 draw, Palace ultimately triumphed 3-2 in the penalty shootout. Seeking to guide Liverpool to their 17th victory in this historic competition, manager Arne Slot’s fresh attacking players made an ideal start by scoring within the first four minutes. Hugo Ekitike combined excellently with fellow newcomer Florian Wirtz and found enough space at the edge of the box to place the ball into the bottom corner.
Palace bounced back quickly, earning a penalty shortly after when Alisson Becker was judged to have stopped Jean-Philippe Mateta, following Virgil van Dijk’s foul on Ismaïla Sarr. Mateta confidently converted the spot-kick in the 17th minute, sending Alisson the wrong way to level the match. With Palace eager for more, Daniel Muñoz delivered a cross to fellow wing-back Tyrick Mitchell, who was unable to hit the target.
Liverpool soon took the lead again when Jeremie Frimpong oddly chipped the ball over Dean Henderson and into the far post with 20 minutes on the clock, marking a significant moment for Liverpool. Just before the half-hour mark, Will Hughes came on for the injured Daichi Kamada and shot over from another Muñoz cross. Muñoz then made another forward run as halftime approached, sending a ball that narrowly missed Sarr.
The pace didn’t ease after the break, with Ekitike heading wide from one chance and narrowly missing another shot within seven minutes of the second half. Palace continued to press forward, with Eberechi Eze’s shot deflected behind, and Chris Richards’ header from the resulting corner was comfortably saved. Adam Wharton intercepted a pass from Dominik Szoboszlai and set up Eze for a shot that Alisson managed to save. After Wirtz fired harmlessly over at the other end, Sarr demonstrated his clinical finishing by connecting with Wharton’s pass and scoring off the post.
A last-ditch block by Milos Kerkez was needed to stop Sarr moments later, Mohamed Salah then shot straight at Henderson, and Mateta fired his attempt over the bar, with both teams desperately seeking a winner. Crystal Palace, still battling fiercely to claim the Community Shield on their very first try, saw Justin Devenny come agonizingly close to scoring, missing the left post by mere inches after a good pass to the edge of the box. This led to a penalty shootout, and having nearly scored earlier, Devenny confidently seized his opportunity to secure the Community Shield for Crystal Palace. On the other hand, Liverpool have only won one of their last seven Community Shield appearances as Premier League champions.
