The new season of English football opened with a bang: Oliver Glasner’s team twice came from behind against Liverpool, finished the job in the penalty shootout and lifted the FA Community Shield. Regular time ended 2:2, and from the spot the Londoners were the calmer side — 3:2. The drama had it all: a sparkling debut from the Reds’ big-money signings, a “German footprint” in every first-half goal, and Dean Henderson’s personal redemption.
Liverpool’s New Boys Ignite the Start — But the Trophy Heads to Selhurst
Arne Slot’s side (or Jürgen Klopp’s? — either way, Liverpool underwent a major summer refresh) showed their teeth instantly. In the 4th minute Milos Kerkez burst down the left and found Cody Gakpo; then the newly assembled connection clicked: Florian Wirtz played a one-two with Hugo Ekitike and squared it back — the Frenchman rolled it neatly into the bottom corner. The Reds’ second also came from a newcomer: Jeremie Frimpong, accelerating down the right onto Dominik Szoboszlai’s long pass, looked set to cross but produced something even finer — a delicate “parachute” that drifted over Dean Henderson.
Bundesliga Writes the First-Half Script
By the break Palace had crafted a considered reply. Virgil van Dijk trod on Ismaïla Sarr’s foot in the box — Jean-Philippe Mateta converted the penalty. A telling detail: every scoring action in the first half involved players with experience in Germany. Wirtz and Ekitike arrived from Bayer and Eintracht; Frimpong — a former Leverkusen man — scored from a pass by Szoboszlai, whom Liverpool signed from Leipzig in 2023. Mateta also played in Germany before moving to London, scoring for Mainz. It was as if the Bundesliga penned the half’s script.
Sarr — the Spark of the Second-Half Comeback
After the interval the Eagles increased their aggression and transition speed. The reward came on 77 minutes: Adam Wharton lifted a ball in behind, Ismaïla Sarr brought it down and finished coolly — 2:2. Ironically, it was the only goal/assist combo of the match not tied to the German league: neither Wharton nor Sarr has played in the Bundesliga.
The Shootout: Henderson Doffs His Cap — and the Hero Is Clear
The lottery began nervously for Liverpool: Mohamed Salah shot over, while Mateta replied by finding the corner — 1:0 to the Londoners. The second Reds attempt also failed: Dean Henderson saved Alexis Mac Allister’s kick and celebrated by theatrically taking off his cap. Alisson kept the Reds alive by saving Eberechi Eze’s effort; Cody Gakpo and Sarr converted theirs. The crescendo was another Henderson save — this time from Harvey Elliott. Palace even survived Borna Sosa’s miss and still closed it out, winning the shootout 3:2. The London keeper had taped cue notes to his bottle and, after an awkward first half, turned into the evening’s central figure.
The Numbers Say It: a Deserved Win
The only area where Liverpool led was possession (59% to 41%). Elsewhere the balance flipped: Palace attacked more directly and with purpose — 14 shots to 12 — and 10 of their attempts came from inside the box. Nearly half of the Reds’ efforts (five) were from distance. In pressing intensity and defensive compactness Glasner’s side did not lag and rightly finished the job in the shootout.
Tournament Trend: Once Again Decided from the Spot
The FA Community Shield has gone to penalties for the third year running. Last year Manchester City beat Manchester United in a shootout; the season before, the Cityzens lost to Arsenal the same way. This edition wrote Palace into both the trend and the club’s history.
Eagles’ Historic Breakthrough: a Second Trophy in Three Months
Crystal Palace has lifted a second trophy in a short span. In May the Londoners stunned Manchester City 1:0 in the FA Cup final; now they have the Community Shield as well. Until this spring, the club founded in 1905 had no major silverware — only Championship and third-tier titles. Now the picture has changed. The Selhurst Park faithful will remember these nights for decades: Glasner’s team not only goes toe-to-toe with the giants, it brings home trophies. And this, it seems, is only the beginning.
