New-look Liverpool humbled by Crystal Palace in Community Shield
LONDON (Web News) Crystal Palace twice came from behind to stun a new-look Liverpool and win the Community Shield for the first time on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Wembley on Sunday.
New signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scored for the Premier League champions, but Palace responded through Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr before winning an error-strewn shootout 3-2.
Mohamed Salah blazed over from the spot, while Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott were denied by an inspired Dean Henderson as Palace built on winning their first ever major trophy by beating Manchester City in May’s FA Cup final.
“We were on the same level as Liverpool and it was a big performance. I’m proud of the team,” said Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
The traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season was given extra significance after a summer marked by tragedy for Liverpool.
Forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva.
Reds legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish laid wreaths on the side of the pitch before kick-off, while the Liverpool end was awash with banners and flags paying tribute to the Portuguese international.
A minute’s silence, however, had to be cut short due to disturbances in the crowd.
Jota’s death has dampened the excitement over Liverpool’s transfer spending spree to build on a squad that romped to a record-equalling 20th league title last season.
All four of their new signings at a cost of £260 million ($350 million) — Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Frimpong and Milos Kerkez — started.
Ekitike’s role this season could depend on whether Liverpool are successful in their pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
But the Frenchman — signed from Eintracht Frankfurt last month for an initial £69 million — did his case to be Slot’s preferred number nine no harm at all.
Wirtz also bagged his first assist for the Reds when Ekitike spun onto the German’s pass and fired into the far corner after just four minutes.
