Community Shield Predictions: Liverpool to beat Palace at Wembley

Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley, with new signings debuting and Klopp’s side heavy favourites for the win.

Crystal Palace will be the underdog again as they face Premier League champions Liverpool in the season's curtain raiser on Sunday. (Photo credit: Opta)

 Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

Wembley Stadium

3:00pm

If you had doubts about the return of football, if you were unconvinced by the friendlies, if the preliminary stages of the Champions League and other competitions didn’t cut it for you, here’s evidence that football is back: it’s the Community Shield Day!

The champions have the opportunity to unleash their new signings on Crystal Palace; it will be a huge test for the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and the duo of Milos Kerkez and Jeremy Frimpong, who are both expected to start at fullback positions.

For Crystal Palace, they’re not under any pressure; they’re in Wembley to enjoy themselves, test a few new players and prepare for the new season in grand style. All the pressure will be on Liverpool and their mega-money signings.

There’s a mini trophy on the line, but it’s one that divides opinions; if your club wins it, it’s an important trophy, but when another team wins it, it’s an insignificant one. Sweep it under the agenda carpet; however, all eyes will be on Liverpool on Sunday.

Liverpool have spent £295m on player signings this summer, the most in the league, but they have also received £203m on the likes of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Tyler Morton, amongst others, making their net spend £92m, with everyone expecting them to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle soon.

There are not a lot of new players at Crystal Palace as the club prepares for life in the Europa Conference League, but by the time the window closes, they could be without two of their best players, as Liverpool still wants Marc Guehi while Arsenal is known to be interested in Ebere Eze.

On Sunday, we expect Liverpool to take the battle to Palace. It will be a case of attack vs defense for the best part of the game; Oliver Glasner will favor the low block. It’s left to be seen how the Champions deal with that.

Mohammed Salah is still the player to watch; he is still the man even at 32. There’s none of Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz to support him, but he does have Cody Gakpo and the new signing Florian Wirtz to depend on. It should be fun to see.

While still with the club, Eze is one to watch. The movement of Ismaila Sarr and Jean Phillippe Mateta will also say a lot on the break. Palace earned a draw at Anfield in May; can they push for another result at Wembley?

Verdict: Liverpool to win.