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:
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
There’s a big chance for Jack Grealish today, and indeed over the first few weeks of the season. He’s had a settled pre-season, seen competition for places reduce after the departures of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, and has the chance to nail down a starting spot with Phil Foden catching up and Julian Alvarez still getting up to speed.
With a full season under his belt, there will also be an expectation for Grealish to kick on now.
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola refused to comment on reports linking the Premier League champions with Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella.
City have been linked with the Spanish defender throughout the summer and there have been reports that he has now handed in a transfer request at the Amex Stadium.
Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview Saturday’s Community Shield against Liverpool, said: “He’s a Brighton player, I cannot say anything else.”
In a new development, Cucurella was absent from Brighton’s squad ahead of their friendly against Espanyol today.
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
Best of rivals.
Not quite the iconic Guardiola high-five that almost took Klopp’s arm off last season but good to see there is still plenty of respect between the two managers.
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
Liverpool: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Diaz
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahez, Haaland, Grealish
Two strong teams. Liverpool perhaps choosing their strongest line-up apart from the injured Alisson and Darwin Nunez, who is on the bench, still getting up to speed.
Phil Foden, John Stones and Ilkay Gundogan are all on the bench after missing the US trip, as is Kalvin Phillips. But there’s a first start for Erling Haaland.
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
Confirmed line-ups
Liverpool: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Diaz
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahez, Haaland, Grealish
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
Jurgen Klopp insists it makes no sense to dwell on last season’s near-misses as he prepares for the start of another campaign with Liverpool.
The Reds manager claims he got over the disappointment of losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid in May – which came a week after his side were narrowly pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester City – within a day.
Now his full focus is on the new season, which begins on Saturday as the Merseysiders face City in the Community Shield at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
“It took me a day and then we had a parade in Liverpool and I was fine with everything,” said Klopp, whose side still had FA Cup and Carabao Cup successes to celebrate.
“We knew, obviously, it was close. When you’re unlucky in moments these kind of things (happen). It’s sport and we accept the rules. One point more is enough after 38 matchdays, and one goal more is enough in a football game. We accept that too, so it didn’t take me long.
“What was my conclusion of the last season? I don’t think it makes too much sense to think like this. We played in an incredibly high level, we were consistent, we played good football – not always but very often. We fought hard. These are all things we need to do again.”
‘It took me a day’: Jurgen Klopp on recovering from Liverpool’s near-misses
The Reds lost in the Champions League final and were pipped to the Premier League title
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
I don’t think I’ve seen a half-and-half scarf in two months, but I regret to inform you that they are back from their summer break.
And will we see a debut for this man today? Team news coming up.
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
Aymeric Laporte has been ruled out until September as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.
The Spain international will miss the Community Shield and Manchester City’s first five Premier League games and could face a race against time to be fit for their 10 September clash with Tottenham.
It means Pep Guardiola only has five fit senior defenders for the start of the season after Oleksandr Zinchenko was sold to Arsenal with Ruben Dias, John Stones and Nathan Ake the three main options at centre-back.
Guardiola praised Laporte for playing through the pain barrier at the end of last season, when Dias, Stones and Kyle Walker all had injuries, and postponing his own operation.
“Laporte is injured,” said the City manager. “He had knee surgery after last season and played the last two or three games with an important injury. He made an incredible effort. He had surgery. So far he is doing really well but you have to be careful with a knee. I think August he will be out. I think maybe he will start to be with us in September.”
Manchester City handed Aymeric Laporte injury blow
The Spain international will miss the Community Shield and Man City’s first five Premier League games
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
Alisson Becker will miss the Community Shield, meaning Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper Adrian is set to face Manchester City.
The Brazilian has returned to training after suffering an abdominal problem and Jurgen Klopp expects him to be fit for the start of the Premier League season, when Liverpool face Fulham, but they will be without both the goalkeeper and forward Diogo Jota when they face Pep Guardiola’s team.
Alisson’s deputy Caoimhin Kelleher has also been sidelined so Adrian is on course for a first competitive game since facing Preston in the Carabao Cup in September.
Jota, who scored 21 goals last season, did not travel to Austria for Liverpool’s second pre-season tour because of a hamstring injury and he will sit out the start of the Premier League campaign.
Liverpool without Alisson and Diogo Jota for Community Shield
Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper Adrian is set to face Manchester City on Saturday
Community Shield final: Liverpool vs Man City
Pep Guardiola has hinted that Kevin de Bruyne will be named Fernandinho’s successor as Manchester City captain.
City’s players will vote next week but Guardiola believes De Bruyne, who has been wearing the armband in pre-season and is likely to lead them in Saturday’s Community Shield, is a strong candidate.
The Belgian is City’s longest-serving player after Fernandinho’s departure in the summer and the only one who was in the team before Guardiola’s 2016 arrival.
The City manager said: “I’m pretty sure Kevin will be… as the oldest player here, the responsibility he takes on the pitch and in many cases off the pitch he will be a key role within the team, I’m pretty sure.”
Pep Guardiola expects Kevin de Bruyne to be named next Man City captain
City’s players will vote on who they want as the next skipper next week
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