2025 FA Community Shield Preview: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – A Season Opener with High Stakes
The curtain rises on the 2025/26 English football season with the FA Community Shield, a match that traditionally pits the Premier League champions against the FA Cup winners. This year’s contest delivers a fresh narrative, as Liverpool, the reigning league champions, face Crystal Palace, the FA Cup holders making their first-ever appearance in this prestigious fixture.
While the Community Shield is sometimes seen as a glorified friendly, this year’s edition carries extra weight. For Liverpool, it’s a chance to set the tone under new manager Arne Slot after an ambitious summer rebuild. For Palace, it’s an opportunity to prove that last season’s cup triumph was no fluke — and to claim silverware before their UEFA Europa League campaign even begins.
The Storylines
Liverpool – The Defending Kings Under New Leadership
Arne Slot, who replaced Jürgen Klopp, has wasted no time shaping Liverpool in his own image. The summer saw a wave of high-profile signings, including:
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Florian Wirtz (midfield creativity and goal threat)
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Hugo Ekitike (forward depth and dynamism)
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Jeremie Frimpong (explosive right-wing back)
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Milos Kerkez (promising left-back option)
These arrivals signal a shift toward a more possession-heavy, fluid attacking style, blending Slot’s tactical discipline with Liverpool’s traditional intensity. The club’s recruitment has been widely praised, but it also raises the question of how quickly these players can adapt to the Premier League pace.
Injury-wise, Liverpool enter the game with some concerns. Alisson Becker, Alexis Mac Allister, and Joe Gomez are uncertain due to knocks and personal reasons. Slot may need to lean on his depth, possibly handing competitive debuts to his summer signings.
Virgil van Dijk has been vocal in the build-up, declaring that competing for every trophy is the “bare minimum” for this squad. That hunger, combined with the new arrivals, makes Liverpool one of the most intriguing teams to watch this season.
Crystal Palace – Breaking Barriers
Under Oliver Glasner, Palace enjoyed a fairytale 2024/25 season, capturing their first major trophy with an FA Cup victory. Their disciplined defensive structure, dangerous counter-attacking play, and set-piece prowess caused problems for even the top sides.
This summer, their recruitment was more modest, focusing on retaining key players rather than a major overhaul. Notable arrivals include Borna Sosa at left-back and Walter Benitez as a reliable goalkeeping option.
Off the pitch, Palace face a distraction — their Europa League qualification status is under review, with a CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) ruling due the day after the Shield. This uncertainty could impact focus, but it may also fuel a siege mentality in the squad.
Glasner’s tactical discipline will be central to Palace’s hopes. Expect them to sit compact, frustrate Liverpool, and look to hit on the break through their pacey forwards.
Tactical Breakdown
| Category | Liverpool | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Approach | Possession dominance, positional rotations, attacking full-backs | Deep block, disciplined shape, fast counter-attacks |
| Key Strength | Midfield creativity (Wirtz, Szoboszlai), multiple scoring threats | Set-piece efficiency, defensive resilience |
| Potential Weakness | Defensive transitions if caught high, new players still integrating | Limited attacking variety if counter is neutralised |
| X-Factor Player | Florian Wirtz – vision and final ball could unlock tight Palace defence | Eberechi Eze – ability to dribble out of pressure |
How Liverpool Will Try to Win
Arne Slot will likely deploy a 4-3-3 morphing into 3-2-5 in possession, with Frimpong and Kerkez pushing high to stretch the pitch. Wirtz or Szoboszlai will operate between the lines, seeking to drag Palace’s midfielders out of position. Pressing will remain aggressive, but with more controlled triggers to avoid overexposure.
If Palace drop deep, Liverpool will rely on:
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Quick switches of play to open space
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Late runs from midfield into the box
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Combination play in tight areas to unlock the low block
How Palace Will Try to Win
Glasner’s Palace will stick to their 5-4-1 / 3-4-3 hybrid out of possession, focusing on:
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Narrow defensive lines to block central channels
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Trigger-based pressing when Liverpool’s centre-backs dwell on the ball
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Rapid counters led by Eze, Olise, or Mateta
Set-pieces could be their biggest weapon. With physical presences like Andersen and Guehi, Palace will look to exploit Liverpool’s occasional vulnerability defending dead balls.
Recent Form and Preseason Notes
Liverpool
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Preseason results have been promising, with a mix of comfortable wins and high-scoring encounters.
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New signings have shown flashes, but defensive shape remains a work in progress.
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Slot has rotated heavily, suggesting he wants the entire squad match-ready.
Crystal Palace
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Mixed preseason, with some low-scoring draws and narrow wins.
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Focus on defensive cohesion has been evident, but they have struggled for goals without quick transitions.
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Glasner has experimented with both back three and back four systems.
Head-to-Head
Historically, Liverpool have had the upper hand against Palace, especially in recent years. However, Palace’s FA Cup run proved they can trouble top teams in one-off matches. The last time these sides met at Wembley? It was the 2016 FA Cup final, which Liverpool won — a result that still stings for Palace fans.
Key Battles to Watch
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Florian Wirtz vs Palace’s Midfield Shield
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If Wirtz finds space between the lines, Palace’s compact structure could unravel.
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Jeremie Frimpong vs Borna Sosa
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Frimpong’s overlapping runs will test Sosa’s defensive awareness. This duel could decide Liverpool’s right-sided threat.
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Set-Piece Defence
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Palace will target Liverpool’s zonal marking. An early set-piece goal could tilt the game in their favour.
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Eberechi Eze vs Trent Alexander-Arnold
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Eze drifting to the left could exploit spaces if Trent pushes forward.
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Psychological and Motivational Factors
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Liverpool: Want to prove the post-Klopp era is in safe hands and that last season’s title was no one-off.
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Palace: Hungry to make history with their first Community Shield and prove they belong among England’s elite.
Prediction
This game feels closer than the bookmakers suggest. Liverpool’s individual quality and attacking depth make them favourites, but Palace’s tactical organisation can frustrate even the best.
Prediction: Liverpool 2 – 1 Crystal Palace
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Goal Scorers: Wirtz, Salah (Liverpool); Eze (Palace)
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Liverpool to dominate possession but Palace to create nervy moments on the break.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 FA Community Shield is more than just a season opener. It’s:
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A tactical chess match between Slot’s attacking evolution and Glasner’s defensive mastery.
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A mental test for Palace as they juggle on-pitch goals with off-field uncertainty.
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A statement opportunity for Liverpool to show they can blend new faces into a winning formula.
Whether it’s a preview of the season’s title race or simply an August spectacle, fans can expect intensity, storylines, and moments that will set the tone for the months ahead. Wembley is ready — and so are we.
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