Clash at Wembley: Crystal Palace and Liverpool Face Off in the Community Shield
Crystal Palace and Liverpool Set for Community Shield Showdown
The 2025-26 English football season kicks off this Sunday, as Crystal Palace faces Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley. This is a historic moment for Crystal Palace, who are making their debut in the competition, having clinched the FA Cup in May, ending a 120-year wait for a major trophy.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are the Premier League champions and enter their 25th Community Shield appearance, hoping to secure their 17th title.
The predicted lineups for the highly-anticipated match have been revealed. Liverpool is expected to field a strong team, with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Giorgi Mamardashvili might start in goal, given Alisson Becker's limited preseason involvement. Jeremie Frimpong, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Milos Kerkez form the defensive line.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will operate centrally, while Florian Wirtz will play in an attacking role. The offensive quartet consists of Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike (striker), and Cody Gakpo.
Crystal Palace's starting lineup features Tyrick Mitchell in goal, with Marc Guehi at left-back, and a center-back pairing of Scott Dann and James Tomkins. In midfield, Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew are expected to start, with Conor Gallagher in an attacking role. Upfront, Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend will lead the attack.
Crystal Palace has a strong recent record at Wembley, having won four of their last six neutral matches there. Despite this, Liverpool's squad has been strengthened by several high-profile summer signings, aiming to challenge for their first silverware of the season.
However, there are concerns about defensive depth in Liverpool's squad, as captain Virgil van Dijk is not fully fit, and first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker is also uncertain. Palace's expectations are high for the new campaign, with European football on the horizon, but the outcome of their appeal against demotion to the Conference League is yet to be determined.
This promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams with different objectives but equal determination. Will Liverpool continue their dominance, or will Crystal Palace pull off a shock victory in their debut Community Shield appearance?
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