The annual curtain raiser to the English football season takes place this Sunday as Liverpool meet Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
Liverpool, champions of last season’s Premier League, will face the Eagles, who secured their place with a historic FA Cup triumph.
The London side ended a 120-year wait for major silverware by defeating Manchester City in May. Eberechi Eze scored the decisive goal in a tense final, with Palace defending resolutely against a City team that enjoyed 79 per cent possession and produced 23 attempts on goal.
Pep Guardiola’s side, despite relentless pressure, were unable to find a breakthrough.
The Community Shield has long been seen as both a celebration and a test ahead of the new campaign. Since 1993, matches level after 90 minutes have gone directly to penalties, with no extra time.
Before that, the trophy was shared in the event of a draw, a practice abandoned more than three decades ago.
This year’s contest will be staged at Wembley, which can host up to 90,000 supporters. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm BST. Liverpool arrive seeking to assert their dominance early, while Palace aim to prove that their FA Cup victory was no one-off.
Last year’s Shield was claimed by Manchester City, but the competition often defies expectation, offering a stage for new signings and rising talents to impress.
