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Aug 10, 2025 3.00pm
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 Crystal Palace 2-2 Liverpool (3-2 pens): Highlights, man of the match, stats as Adam Wharton inspires Community Shield win

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New-look Liverpool felled by Eagles as Wharton inspires Community Shield triumph
© Imago

Crystal Palace lifted the Community Shield after beating Liverpool 3-2 on penalties following an entertaining 2-2 draw at Wembley that saw a number of new signings on Sunday's scoresheet.

Arne Slot's latest addition, Hugo Ekitike, wasted no time in notching his first goal for his new side when he gave Liverpool the lead with four minutes on the clock after some fine interplay with Florian Wirtz.

However, Eagles striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was previously linked with a potential move to Anfield this summer, levelled for the Londoners from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have fouled Ismaila Sarr in the box.

Jeremie Frimpong then got in on the action, controlling a long ball from Dominik Szoboszlai before dribbling into the area, where his cross-cum-shot looped over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to restore the Premier League champions' lead.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Sarr, who has an impressive record of scoring against Liverpool over the years, made a run behind the Reds' backline into a gap left when Van Dijk stepped up to play offside and produced a leveller off the post that took the curtain-raiser to penalties.

Mohamed Salah stepped up first and struck over the bar from 12 yards for the second time in as many games, before Alexis Mac Allister saw his kick saved by Dean Henderson, who was the hero as Justin Devenny scored the winner.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

© Imago

Palace defied their dire record against Liverpool, winning for just the second time in 17 matches against the Merseysiders to earn their second piece of silverware in 2025.

Oliver Glasner's Eagles gave a good account of themselves at Wembley, causing problems for the Reds throughout the 90 minutes, especially during counter-attacks.

As for Slot's side, the former Feyenoord boss will be pleased with the burgeoning chemistry between his new-look frontline, but it would be fair to say that the manager has some work to do to balance the defensive side of his team given that they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 matches.

With the addition of Wirtz in midfield, Liverpool deployed a double pivot of Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones on Sunday, and while the duo were not the worst performers, they struggled to protect the backline in transition without a specialist defensive midfielder alongside them.

CRYSTAL PALACE VS. LIVERPOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Hugo Ekitike goal vs. Crystal Palace (4th min, Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool)

Ekitike combines well with Wirtz on the left flank, and once he receives the ball from the former Bayer Leverkusen man on the edge of the box, he cuts inside and fires a precise finish low into the bottom-right corner.

Jean-Philippe Mateta goal vs. Liverpool (17th min, Crystal Palace 1-1 Liverpool)

Alisson Becker makes an excellent save one-on-one against Mateta, but the Eagles work the ball back into the box, where Sarr is fouled by Van Dijk.

Mateta steps up to the penalty spot and makes no mistake as he sends the Brazilian shot-stopper the wrong way to level the score.

Jeremie Frimpong goal vs. Crystal Palace (21st min, Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool)

Szoboszlai plays a long diagonal ball to Frimpong on the right wing, and the Dutchman uses his pace to get past Tyrick Mitchell before chipping the ball across the box, but it loops over Henderson and ends up in the back of the net.

Did the Liverpool right-back mean it?

Ismaila Sarr goal vs. Liverpool (77th min, Crystal Palace 2-2 Liverpool)

Van Dijk steps up to play Sarr offside, but the Palace man is still deeper than Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate, and he gets on the end of a through ball from Adam Wharton to fire a leveller in off the post.

Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace) winning penalty

MAN OF THE MATCH - ADAM WHARTON

© Imago

The talented 21-year-old midfielder is renowned for his passing, and he was involved in both of Palace's goals on Sunday.

Wharton was a constant threat to Liverpool, especially in transition moments, and his assist for Sarr's equaliser took the game to penalties.

CRYSTAL PALACE VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS

Possession: Crystal Palace 41%-59% Liverpool

Shots: Crystal Palace 14-12 Liverpool

Shots on target: Crystal Palace 4-5 Liverpool

Corners: Crystal Palace 5-2 Liverpool

Fouls: Crystal Palace 5-13 Liverpool

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Palace kick off their Premier League campaign away to Enzo Maresca's Chelsea next Sunday, while Liverpool will face Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday.

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