Crystal Palace, the FA Cup holders, came from behind twice against Premier League champions Liverpool before prevailing 3-2 on penalties to win the Community Shield.<\/p>\n
Liverpool took the lead twice in regular time through their new signings \u2014 French forward Hugo Ekitike (4') and Dutch full-back Jeremie Frimpong (21') \u2014 but Palace equalised on both occasions via French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta (17') and Senegalese winger Isma\u00efla Sarr (77').<\/p>\n
Liverpool fielded four summer signings \u2014 Ekitike, full-backs Frimpong and Hungarian Milos Kerkez, as well as German playmaker Florian Wirtz, who was named man of the match. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch missed the game after his wife gave birth on Saturday, while Argentine Alexis Mac Allister came on for the final 20 minutes and missed one of the penalties.<\/p>\n
Palace, on the other hand, played with the same line-up that beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, led by French forward Mateta, winger Eberechi Eze, and centre-back and captain Marc Gu\u00e9hi.<\/p>\n
Before kick-off, Liverpool legend Ian Rush and Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish laid two wreaths on the side of the pitch in memory of Liverpool\u2019s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last month. A minute\u2019s silence was then observed by the crowd.<\/p>\n
Liverpool made a quick start, opening the scoring in the fourth minute when Wirtz slipped the ball to Ekitike on the edge of the area, and the latter drove forward before slotting a low shot into the far corner past goalkeeper Dean Henderson.<\/p>\n
Palace responded with a one-on-one chance for Mateta against Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who made the save. Moments later, the London side were awarded a penalty after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk fouled Sarr in the box. Mateta stepped up and calmly sent Alisson the wrong way, netting the equaliser in the 17th minute \u2014 his first goal against the Reds.<\/p>\n
Palace\u2019s joy was short-lived, as just four minutes later Frimpong restored Liverpool\u2019s lead. Attempting to send in a cross from the right flank, he caught Henderson off guard, and the ball sailed into the net.<\/p>\n
Palace had to wait until the second half to equalise again, with Sarr breaking the offside trap in the 77th minute to latch onto a superb through ball from Adam Wharton. His shot struck the post but rebounded into the net.<\/p>\n
Luck was on Palace\u2019s side in the shootout, despite two of their players missing. Youngster Justin Devine sealed the win by smashing the decisive kick with his left foot into the roof of the net.<\/p>\n
Palace goalkeeper Henderson was the undisputed star, especially in the penalty shootout, saving spot-kicks from Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, while Mohamed Salah blazed his effort over the bar. Henderson had also been the hero in the FA Cup final, saving a penalty from Egyptian striker Omar Marmoush before Eze scored the winner for Palace.<\/p>\n
After the match, Palace\u2019s Austrian manager Oliver Glasner \u2014 who received widespread praise in the English and European media \u2014 said: \u201cWe were on the same level as Liverpool and delivered a big performance. I\u2019m proud of the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liverpool\u2019s Dutch coach Arne Slot commented: \u201cWe created many chances in the match, but we also allowed Palace many as well. If you want to compete for the Premier League title, you can\u2019t give the opposition those kinds of opportunities.\u201d<\/p>","continue_text":"Continue Reading","main_heading":"Blog"},"yoast_head":"\n