Crystal Palace and Liverpool meet in the Community Shield on Sunday — the traditional start to the new season in English top-flight football.
The meeting of the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners of the previous season at Wembley Stadium comes just five days before Liverpool kick off their title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield.
Arne Slot's side has been bolstered in the transfer window with a raft of big-money signings, all of whom will hope to make their official debuts here. Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike could all start this game in London.
Palace seem to be more focused on keeping hold of some of their star players, while a handful of injury problems have disrupted their preparations for this game — and all while their appeal against being demoted from the UEFA Europa League to the Conference League is heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Eagles have never before played in the Community Shield, but the cup winners have beaten the previous season's league champions in this fixture in seven of the past nine editions.
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Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool: Community Shield predicted lineups, starting 11, team news, injuries
Oliver Glasner confirmed some bad news on Friday as he revealed striker Eddie Nketiah is facing eight weeks out with an unspecified injury, while Cheick Doucoure has had a setback in his recovery and is also facing a couple of months out.
Matheus Franca has sustained another problem and will miss Sunday's game, as will Caleb Kporha, who has a back issue.
Marc Guehi has again been linked with some big clubs in the transfer window, including Liverpool, but he is likely to start despite the uncertainty over his future. The same is true of Eberechi Eze.
Crystal Palace predicted XI ((3-4-3, right to left): Henderson (GK) — Richards, Lacroix, Guehi — Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell — Sarr, Mateta, Eze
Crystal Palace subs: Benitez (GK), Lerma, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Edouard, Sosa, Devenny, Cardines
Slot said Alexis Mac Allister was not ready to play 90 minutes but is fit enough for a place on the bench at Wembley. Joe Gomez is ruled out with what is described as a "minor injury".
Alisson has returned to training after spending time in Brazil while his wife had an operation and gets the nod to start ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal.
Ryan Gravenberch is absent after his wife gave birth on Saturday night.
Liverpool starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez — Jones, Szoboszlai — Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo — Ekitike
Liverpool subs: Mamardashvili (GK), Endo, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Doak, Ngumoha
Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool: Community Shield live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
Region | TV | Streaming |
USA | — | ESPN+ |
Canada | Sportsnet | Sportsnet Plus |
Australia | — | Stan Sport |