(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Liverpool Manager Arne Slot Eager to Win Silverware in Season Opener vs Crystal Palace at Community Shield
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is excited about the rare opportunity to win a trophy in his team’s very first match of the season as the new Premier League champions face Crystal Palace in Sunday’s Community Shield at Wembley.
After clinching a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title last season with four games to spare, Liverpool have invested heavily this summer, spending nearly £300 million ($402 million) in the transfer market. New signings like forwards Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, along with full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, could make their debut in front of the Liverpool fans.
The Community Shield traditionally kicks off the English football season, pitting the previous season’s Premier League winners against the FA Cup champions.
“Usually, it takes several games before you can win a trophy. Now we have a chance to lift silverware right at the start of the season. But Crystal Palace are a very tough team to beat, as we saw in the FA Cup final and semi-final,” Slot said during his pre-match press conference.
Crystal Palace are making their first appearance in the Community Shield after claiming their first major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final this May. However, their celebrations were dampened when UEFA excluded them from the Europa League and relegated them to the Conference League due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules.
The issue arose because US businessman John Textor, who had owned a stake in Palace, is also the majority owner of French club Lyon—another Europa League qualifier. Despite selling his shares in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, Palace missed UEFA’s deadline to comply with the rules. Lyon retained their Europa League spot as they finished higher in their domestic league. Palace has appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
While Liverpool’s transfer spending has been significant, Palace’s summer activity has been more modest, with only £2 million spent on Croatian left-back Borna Sosa and a new reserve goalkeeper, Walter Benitez. The Eagles have, however, retained their key players despite reported interest from big clubs. Liverpool are reportedly interested in Palace captain Marc Guehi, and Arsenal have been linked with winger Eberechi Eze. Both players are expected to start at Wembley.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner is optimistic about the season ahead. “We’ve started on a different level with a new mindset and higher standards. After a slow start last year, we are confident about aiming higher this season,” he said.
Ahead of the match, tributes will be made to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident last month at age 28. Liverpool will honor Jota with a “Forever 20” emblem—his retired shirt number—on their kits this season.
“His loss has deeply affected us all, but especially his wife, children, and parents. The tributes since his passing have been emotional and heartfelt,” added Slot.
