CRYSTAL PALACE VS. LIVERPOOL
| Sunday, August 10th |
Community Shield | Wembley Stadium
3PM BST/10AM EST
It’s here! The one before the one! The last friendly before the season officially kicks off next weekend. Ok, I guess it’s not a friendly, it’s the Community Shield. But that’s just a slightly less friendlier friendly. Either way, it’s our chance to see how Arne Slot’s new team might look after a wild summer of ins and outs that is probably not over yet.
They’re taking on Crystal Palace, who beat Manchester City to win the FA Cup in the spring. They’ll be looking to pull off a victory in their first Community Shield and a second consecutive win at Wembley. However, Liverpool stands between them and the trophy, and they will want to do well. Arne Slot’s new-look side needs to set down a marker for the rest of the Premier League to prove that they have what it takes to protect their title.
In particular, the Reds have looked vulnerable on the break and on set pieces over this preseason. It could have to do with the back line being restructured with new fullbacks. It could also have to do with Virgil van Dijk being out for a few of the matches. However, that is a concern for Slot and is a clear weakness that can potentially be exploited in the fall as the team gets their legs under them.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Alisson is in doubt and likely won’t be risked for this one. Van Dijk should be ready to play, but we might see another makeshift workaround. Conor Bradley and, of course, Joe Gomez are in a race for fitness.
On the other side, Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are both unavailable for Palace. We might see old friend (and still active football player – who knew?) Nathaniel Clyne take the pitch, as he has returned from the injured list.
The Managers Have Their Say
Arne Slot: “It’s nice if you can start the season by winning something. We have a chance at the beginning of the season. We face a difficult Crystal Palace side. They have shown how hard it is to win a one-off game with them.”
Oliver Glasner: “As a champion against the 12th-placed team, and of course, how they acted again in the transfer market, how they strengthened their team, so Liverpool are the favorites. But Man City were also the favourites, and we won, so we expect to have chances as well, and that’s how we’re going to approach the game.”
The Officials
Referee: Chris Kavanagh; Assistant Referee: James Mainwaring; Assistant Referee: Wade Smith; Fourth Official: Tony Harrington; Reserve Assistant Referee: Akil Howson; VAR: Paul Tierney; AVAR: Nick Hopton
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