Why Community Shield clash between Liverpool and Crystal Palace is so intriguing

With the start of the Premier League on the horizon, it's time for the traditional curtain raiser, the Community Shield, to take place.

Liverpool, league winners and a club that haven't won the shield for three years (but have 16 wins from 25 appearances), will take on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, who have never contested this pre-season fixture before.

Though it's often seen as the least worthy piece of domestic silverware to win, it still ranks on a club's honours list. 

With supporters spending more money to attend the showpiece, and in Liverpool's case that includes significant travel costs to Wembley, every player at the very least should take the game as seriously as any other.

Most people would place the Reds as pre-game favourites, though the South Londoners showed against Manchester City back in May that they're no pushovers, and in Oliver Glasner they have as tactically astute a coach as Arne Slot.

Palace have to reverse recent history against Liverpool

Palace will have to reverse recent history if they want to be the ones climbing the Wembley steps to receive another trophy, however.

In the last 20 meetings between the teams in all competitions, the Eagles have won only two, drawn three and lost 15, and in nine of those fixtures, the South Londoners have failed to score. Furthermore, in 14 of them, Liverpool have scored at least twice.

Despite that unenviable record, Slot paid tribute to what his opposite number has managed to achieve during a recent interview.

“They are a team which always makes it difficult,” he said. “They have good players, a very good coach with a clear idea of how to play, and to achieve what they achieved last season, winning the Emirates FA Cup here against Manchester City, was really impressive. They deserve a lot of credit for that.”

From Glasner's point of view, he's laser-focused on what's ahead rather than dwelling on what was the best day in Palace's history.

"The past is gone. We have great memories that will stay with us forever, but that won’t help us when the new season begins. Now is not the time to lie back and say 'Great, we are the cup winners.' It’s about defining new goals for us and aiming to have a better season than we did last season.”

Four wins in the South London club's six appearances at Wembley, the fact that seven of the last nine FA Cup winners have gone on to raise the Charity Shield and that Liverpool have only won the trophy once in their last six attempts should at least be pointers that Glasner can consider using as a motivational tool for his underdogs.

Differing pre-season results

In terms of pre-season form, the Eagles have defeated Millwall (1-0), Crawley Town (3-0) and Augsburg (3-1). They've also drawn 1-1 with Cray Wanderers, lost 4-3 to Mainz and also lost 1-0 to Augsburg.

Liverpool have been almost perfect throughout, beating Preston (3-1), Yokohama Marinos (3-1) and Athletic Club twice (4-1 and 3-2). Their only loss was against AC Milan (2-4).

Liverpool's pre-season resultsFlashscore

What perhaps makes this Community Shield fixture a little more interesting than normal is that it will give Reds supporters the chance to see all of their new signings in action, including Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong.

For Palace at present, there are still a number of rumours swirling around regarding the futures of Palace captain Marc Guehi and star man - as well as scorer of the FA Cup final winner - Eberechi Eze.

Crystal Palace pre-season resultsFlashscore

With a few weeks of the transfer window still to go, their commitment (or lack of it) is likely to come under scrutiny and, what's more, Liverpool are one of the clubs allegedly interested in the former.

16-year-old Rio Ngumoha could feature at some point too given his excellent pre-season so far. Two goals and two assists in his four games seems to have whetted the manager's appetite to see what else the youngster can bring to the table.

Wirtz looking at extending personal record

In terms of the make-up of the starting XI, Liverpool are likely to be keen to stop floundering on the counter-attack, as they have during pre-season.

Being beaten for pace down the channels could see Frimpong and Andrew Robertson/Milos Kerkez sitting a little deeper than usual, whilst Ryan Gravenberch's more robust presence will undoubtedly be needed to anchor the midfield.

Incredibly, if Wirtz were to score and Liverpool go on to win, it would be a 31st game unbeaten for the 22-year-old, who has seen each of the last 30 club games he's scored in end with either a win (25) or a draw (five). 

Although only Walter Benitez and Borna Sosa have been signed by Palace this summer, losing only Malcom Ebiowei for a fee as well as a handful of free or loan transfers, represents a reasonable if not excellent window.

All of the major stars are still at the club, and therefore the connection between the XI should be a little easier than a Liverpool lineup that will still be finding their feet.

Eze loves a goal in a big game, and with Jean-Philippe Mateta set to play a major role up front as well as Tyrick Mitchell and Daniel Munoz raiding down the flanks, don't be surprised to see the Reds on the back foot at times.