Liverpool vs Man City LIVE: Community Shield result and final score as Darwin Nunez goal seals win
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City: The Reds win the first trophy of the season as Darwin Nunez’s debut goal sealed the win while Erling Haaland had a day to forget
Liverpool are the winners of the Community Shield for the first time in 16 years after a debut goal from Darwin Nunez wrapped up a 3-1 win over the Premier League champions Manchester City at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
In a contest befitting of Liverpool and Manchester City’s intense rivalry last season, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s teams produced a compelling match as new arrivals Erling Haaland and Nunez made their first competitive outings following big-money moves this summer.
Liverpool were sharp in the opening exchanges with Mohamed Salah threatening on the right wing, but it was Trent Alexander-Arnold who fired them ahead on 21 minutes as the right-back’s shot deflected off Nathan Ake.
Haaland had a couple of chances before the break, the best of which when he stretched for Joao Cancelo’s cross, but it was the other new signing Julian Alvarez who equalised for City after a lengthy VAR review.
Nunez also had chances to open his account but the Uruguay striker was involved in the decisive late penalty, as his header was blocked by Ruben Dias’ outstretched arm. Salah converted to restore Liverpool’s lead before Nunez added a late third to seal it, as Klopp added a Community Shield to his trophy haul at Anfield.
Haaland had an afternoon to forget after a late miss from six yards, as Liverpool gained revenge from two previous defeats in the Community Shield in 2019 and 2020. Follow live reaction from the Community Shield final, below:
Liverpool 1-0 Man City
58 mins: Not the day Grealish wanted. He’s off for Foden while Alvaraz replaces Mahrez.
Nunez is coming on for Liverpool and replaces Firmino.
Liverpool 1-0 Man City
56 mins: An incredible example of Liverpool’s high line refusing to budge. De Bruyne picked up possession just inside the Liverpool half but Haaland had nowhere to run and De Bruyne was swallowed up by Matip.
Changes are coming from the bench.
Liverpool 1-0 Man City
54 mins: Grealish with a chance to run at Matip down the left. The defender drops but Grealish tries to find Haaland. It goes behind him and Robertson can chest back to Adrian.
Liverpool 1-0 Man City
53 mins: Lovely close control from Salah on the edge of the box. He sets up Alexander-Arnold, who takes aim but his shot is blocked. Liverpool go again down the left and Dias has to slide in to block.
Liverpool 1-0 Man City
50 mins: It’s been a bit scrappy since Mahrez’s early chance. Julian Alvarez is warming up and could be set to feature.
Jack Grealish may be keen to make an impact as soon as possible but it brought down by Matip with his back to goal.
Liverpool 1-0 Man City
Back underway - and an immediate chance for City! Ake looks long for Mahrez, whose touch is fantastic and cuts inside Robertson. The shot though is scuffed and Adrian parries away.
HT: Liverpool 1-0 Man City
Both teams can make six substitutes so expect plenty in the second half.
For now, Nunez remains on the bench but Klopp said he will feature.
Second half coming up next!
HT: Liverpool 1-0 Man City
Ian Wright thinks Haaland should have headed the cross from Cancelo, which he instead attempted to volley with his right foot. Both Wright and Keane are very impressed with his performance so far.
HT: Liverpool 1-0 Man City
Just the eight touches so far for Haaland - you can hear the hot takes being prepared on the statistic alone. But should we be surprised by that? City want him to be their penalty box striker and he had two chances in the box. It will come.
HT: Liverpool 1-0 Man City
Well that flew by. Liverpool and Manchester City have wasted no time in picking up where they left off from last season. That was a proper fight, as Jurgen Klopp might say, and I don’t remember too many Community Shield finals in recent years that have matched its intensity.
Liverpool were excellent in the first 25 minutes and although Alexander-Arnold’s shot too a deflection off Ake, it was a deserved lead. City then had their spell but Haaland did not see much of the ball. He did get two chances, however, but couldn’t get a connection on a cross from Cancelo.
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