Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace: Community Shield 2025 - Preview, Predictions & More

The 2025 FA Community Shield is set to be a thrilling match as Premier League champions Liverpool face FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium. This early-season clash offers both teams a chance to claim silverware and set the tone for the upcoming English football season.

Event/Topic Overview

Crystal Palace and Liverpool will compete in the 2025 FA Community Shield, marking the beginning of the English football season. The match will take place on August 10th at Wembley Stadium in London. Crystal Palace earned their spot by winning the FA Cup, while Liverpool enters as the reigning Premier League champions.

For Crystal Palace, this game represents a historic milestone as it is their first-ever appearance in the Community Shield. Liverpool, a team known for their high-intensity style and attacking prowess, aims to assert their dominance early in the season.

Key Highlights & Standouts

Liverpool's Unwanted Record

Liverpool faces the possibility of an unwanted club record if they lose to Crystal Palace. A defeat would mark the first time in the club's history that they have suffered two separate losses at Wembley in a single calendar year, after their recent defeat by Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final.

Crystal Palace's Wembley Performance

Crystal Palace has a decent record at Wembley, with four victories in their last six matches at the national stadium. However, they lost their most recent appearance there in 2022 against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Liverpool's Community Shield History

Liverpool has a rich history in the Community Shield, having contested 24 English Super Cup games, which is the joint second-most alongside Arsenal. They have won 16 times, including shared successes, and another win would bring them level with Arsenal on 17 victories.

Key Players to Watch

Liverpool's new signings, including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, are expected to make their full competitive debuts in the match. Defensive concerns have led to a makeshift defense, potentially including new signings Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

Public & Critical Reaction

The match is highly anticipated by fans, with Crystal Palace supporters eager to see their team prove themselves against top-tier opposition. Liverpool fans expect their team to set a strong precedent for the season and secure another trophy.

Behind the Scenes / Background

Liverpool faces some defensive challenges due to injuries to key players such as Joe Gomez and concerns over Virgil van Dijk's fitness. Alisson Becker's personal issues might lead to Giorgi Mamardashvili starting in goal.

Crystal Palace's FA Cup win has boosted their confidence, and the team aims to showcase their growth under their current management. Their blend of solid defending and creative midfield play has made them a competitive force.

Significance & What's Next

The Community Shield serves as an important indicator for both teams heading into the new season. A win for Liverpool would reinforce their status as Premier League champions and set a positive tone for their title defense. For Crystal Palace, a victory would be a significant achievement, demonstrating their ability to compete with the league's best and marking a new chapter in the club's history.

Following the Community Shield, both teams will focus on their respective Premier League campaigns. Liverpool aims to maintain their dominance, while Crystal Palace looks to build on their FA Cup success and establish themselves as a consistent top-tier contender.

The Community Shield also provides an opportunity for new signings to integrate into their respective teams and showcase their abilities. The performances of players like Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike for Liverpool, and key Crystal Palace players, will be closely watched.

Ultimately, the 2025 Community Shield is more than just a pre-season friendly; it is a battle for silverware, bragging rights, and momentum as both Liverpool and Crystal Palace embark on their campaigns in the English football season.

Liverpool could suffer unwanted first in Crystal Palace Community Shield clash after Newcastle Wembley woes

Liverpool are at risk of suffering an unwanted club first when they take on Crystal Palace in Sunday's Community Shield showdown at Wembley Stadium,The Reds are back in the traditional English football curtain-raiser for the first time in three years courtesy of their Premier League triumph in 2024-25, earning a date with Palace thanks to the Eagles' stunning FA Cup final success over Manchester City.

Arne Slot's men have built up a head of steam going into the capital clash, winning five of their six friendlies in the pre-season period, including each of their last three.

A 4-2 loss to AC Milan was the only blot on the notebook for the English champions, who secured three straight wins over Yokohama F. Marinos and Athletic Bilbao (twice) to close out their preparatory period.

The Reds do not have fond memories of their most recent trip to Wembley, where they were deservedly beaten by Newcastle United in the final of the EFL Cup, leaving them 90 minutes away from an unwanted fate.

Liverpool at risk of suffering second Wembley loss in 2025

Should Liverpool fall to defeat on Sunday, it would mark the first time in their history that they have lost two separate games at Wembley in a single calendar year.

Meanwhile, Palace come into the Community Shield with a pleasing record of four victories from their last six matches at the national stadium, although they lost as recently as 2022 to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The Eagles will be making their debut in the Community Shield this weekend, whereas Liverpool have already contested 24 English Super Cup games, the joint second-most alongside Arsenal and only behind Manchester United's 31.

The Reds have triumphed 16 times - including shared successes - and another win would also draw them level with Arsenal on 17 victories and take them to within four of record holders Man United (21).

Coincidentally, Liverpool have lost just one of their last 16 matches against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, going down 1-0 to the London outfit at Anfield in the 2023-24 season.

What could Liverpool's lineup look like against Palace?

Defensive concerns have arisen for Liverpool ahead of the Community Shield, as Joe Gomez is definitely missing with an Achilles injury, while Virgil van Dijk (illness) and Conor Bradley (muscle) have been struggling recently too.

Alisson Becker has been dealing with a personal issue of late, so Giorgi Mamardashvili could very well be protected by a makeshift defence of Ibrahima Konate and Wataru Endo, flanked by new signings Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

New signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike ought to make their full competitive debuts for Liverpool in attack, while Rio Ngumoha may have earned the right to play alongside the duo and Mohamed Salah, but Cody Gakpo is a more senior option.

The 2025 FA Community Shield promises high stakes and intense competition. Catch the highlights and follow the season to see which team emerges victorious!