Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool face FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield on Sunday, August 10, setting the stage for what promises to be a captivating English football season opener.
This contest promises to be a fitting curtain-raiser – a clash of ambition, resilience, and fresh beginnings. While Palace hope to defy the odds, it’s Liverpool’s momentum, depth, and experience that leave them set to lift the trophy at Wembley.
The venue: the iconic Wembley Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm BST.
What you need to know
Crystal Palace, who booked their spot in the showdown by claiming their first-ever major trophy with a stunning win over Manchester City, arrive brimming with optimism.
Under Oliver Glasner’s guidance, they resurrected their season with a brilliant FA Cup display, sealed by Eberechi Eze’s volleyed winner.
Despite off-field turbulence – including a demotion from the Europa League due to ownership issues, now under appeal – and limited summer reinforcements (Borna Sosa, Walter Benítez), Palace have maintained squad stability, retaining the likes of Eze and Guehi.
Liverpool once again look formidable. Manager Arne Slot seamlessly built on his debut season, in which he secured the Premier League title, with a summer splurge surpassing £250 million on stars like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike.
The squad appears sharper than ever; pre-season wins outweigh a valuable yet revealing 4–2 loss to AC Milan and defensive concerns persist.
Players to watch
Crystal Palace will lean on their FA Cup blueprint: a compact shape, slick counter-attacks, and creative sparks from Eberechi Eze, who has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 13 outings.
Pacy attackers like Ismaïla Sarr and reliable striker Jean-Philippe Mateta add depth and dynamism.
Yet injuries to Eddie Nketiah, Chadi Riad, and Cheick Doucouré limit their options.
Liverpool, blessed with firepower, will look to Mohamed Salah, fresh off a sensational season with 57 goal involvements, to lead the line.
New additions like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong promise fresh attacking impetus.
Slot’s challenge remains balancing his squad amid injury woes in defense, but Alisson’s return and Van Dijk’s recovery provide reassurance.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Predicted Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Head-to-head & Opta simulation
Historically, Liverpool dominates this fixture – winning 12 of the last 16 meetings – though Palace have shown they can mix it up, notably winning 1–0 at Anfield in April 2024.
Simulations from Opta tip the scales toward Liverpool, who win outright in 54.9% of simulations; Palace prevail in 22.5%, with 22.7% ending in a shootout.
Prediction
Final sscore: Crystal Palace 1–3 Liverpool
Anticipate an early Palace high press and tight structure leading into warm-up chances for the Reds. Liverpool’s attacking versatility and individual brilliance should eventually shine through. Expect fire from Palace, but ultimately a Liverpool lift.
- Liverpool: Sharp, confident, deep squad – poised to open their season with silverware.
- Crystal Palace: Composed but cautious – brave underdogs who may just trouble the champions.
