(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Crystal Palace Stun Liverpool to Win First-Ever Community Shield on Penalties
Wembley Stadium witnessed history on Sunday as Crystal Palace twice came from behind to hold Liverpool to a 2-2 draw before clinching their first-ever Community Shield with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory.
Goals from new Liverpool signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong were cancelled out by Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr for Palace, who then held their nerve in a tense, error-filled shootout. Dean Henderson emerged as the hero, saving spot-kicks from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, while Mohamed Salah sent his effort over the bar.
The match carried extra emotion following the tragic passing of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident alongside his brother earlier this summer. A pre-match tribute included wreaths laid by Reds legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish, and Liverpool players wore a special “Forever 20” emblem in his memory.
Liverpool’s £260 million summer signings – Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez – all started, with Ekitike marking his debut with a goal just four minutes in from Wirtz’s assist. Palace, however, showed resilience, equalising when Sarr won a penalty that Mateta converted.
Frimpong restored Liverpool’s lead with a chipped cross that sailed into the net, but Palace continued to threaten on the counter. Sarr struck again late on to force penalties, where 20-year-old Justin Devenny sealed the win with a thunderous final kick.
The victory builds on Palace’s FA Cup triumph in May and signals their growing ability to challenge England’s biggest clubs. For Liverpool, manager Arne Slot faces the task of finding the right balance between attack and defence ahead of the new Premier League season.
