Crystal Palace Clash with Liverpool in High-Stakes Community Shield Showdown: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
The unofficial season opener for 2025–26 unfolds at Wembley Stadium this Sunday, featuring Liverpool against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.
Only Manchester United and Arsenal have claimed this trophy more frequently than Liverpool (16 victories, including five shared titles), with the Reds participating for the third occasion this decade. Palace, conversely, are making their inaugural Community Shield appearance after securing their maiden major trophy through the FA Cup triumph in May.
Much of Palace's summer has centered around the chaotic circumstances surrounding their Europa League qualification, which they earned through their FA Cup victory. Squad changes have been minimal, with just two significant additions joining Oliver Glasner's roster. However, they've successfully maintained the foundation of their 2024–25 championship team.
Liverpool, in contrast, have chosen transformation despite their title triumph. They've emerged as Europe's most active spenders this summer, and many are excited to see how the Reds perform when they take the field under the arch this weekend.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the 2025 Community Shield.
What Time Does Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool Kick-Off?
Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Crystal Palace | Liverpool |
|---|---|
Augsburg 1–0 Crystal Palace - 01/08/25 | Liverpool 3–2 Athletic Club - 04/08/25 |
Augsburg 1–3 Crystal Palace - 01/08/25 | Liverpool 4–1 Athletic Club - 04/08/25 |
Crawley 0–3 Crystal Palace - 25/07/25 | Yokohama F. Marinos 1–3 Liverpool - 30/07/25 |
Crystal Palace 1–0 Millwall - 12/07/25 | Liverpool 2–4 Milan - 26/07/25 |
Liverpool 1–1 Crystal Palace - 25/05/25 | Liverpool 5–0 Stoke - 20/07/25 |
How to Watch Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United States | ESPN+, ESPN App |
United Kingdom | discovery+, discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate |
Canada | Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Plus |
Mexico | Max Mexico, TNT Sports |
Crystal Palace Team News
Chadi Riad, who made just one Premier League appearance during his first campaign, continues to be sidelined for the Eagles, while Cheick Doucouré remains on the long-term injury list with a knee problem.
Eddie Nketiah is expected to miss the season's beginning due to a hamstring concern, but Jean-Philippe Mateta will spearhead the attack for Glasner's team regardless.
Adam Wharton and Marc Guehi have recovered from summer injuries and are both available to start on Saturday. Palace have also successfully retained Eberechi Eze with under a month remaining in the summer transfer window.
Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Muñoz, Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
Liverpool Team News
Slot's main concerns have been in defense this summer, with Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley both unavailable for this weekend's match.
Liverpool currently lack center-back depth after parting ways with Jarell Quansah, but Slot has both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté ready for selection. Van Dijk was absent from Monday's double-header due to illness.
Alexis Mac Allister has had limited preseason involvement due to a persistent injury, and the Argentine will probably come off the bench at Wembley. Record acquisition Florian Wirtz is expected to start as Liverpool's attacking midfielder, while fellow newcomers Hugo Ekitiké, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong should also feature in the starting eleven.
Giorgi Mamardashvili might be preferred over Alisson, who departed Liverpool's preseason tour early, in goal.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Crystal Palace
Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitiké
Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool Score Prediction
Liverpool's preseason preparations haven't been flawless. The Reds' defensive unit has looked vulnerable, and Crystal Palace will be eager to exploit the set-piece frailties that emerged in the second match of their Athletic Club double-header on Monday.
Palace ranked among the Premier League's most effective teams from dead-ball situations last season, with Glasner's tactical approach enabling success against top-tier opposition. The Eagles excel at absorbing pressure and launching swift counter-attacks.
Liverpool must be cautious of their opponent's transitional danger, but the Reds' new acquisitions appear promising and they're likely to present a more varied attacking threat this campaign.
Their defensive vulnerabilities suggest Palace should create opportunities, but this feels like a moment where Liverpool establish their title ambitions before the Premier League campaign commences.