Manchester City have struck an early blow for the forthcoming English Premier League campaign as they beat Liverpool 5-4 on penalties to win the FA Community Shield after an absorbing contest had finished 1-1 at Wembley.
Former Liverpool player Raheem Sterling gave the champions the lead in a first half they dominated as Liverpool’s sluggish pre-season form continued on Sunday.
But European champions Liverpool were quicker and sharper in the second period. They equalised through Joel Matip’s header and created a host of other chances to take the lead as City appeared to tire.
City’s Kyle Walker made a last-ditch goal line clearance from Mo Salah’s effort in the dying moments and with no extra time being played the showpiece went to a penalty shootout.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who completed an unprecedented domestic treble last season after also winning the Community Shield curtain-raiser, scored all five of their spot kicks. Claudio Bravo’s save from Liverpool’s second penalty, struck by Georginio Wijnaldum, proved decisive as City once again displayed their appetite for the big occasion.
“It’s the first trophy you can win, for me growing up this was a big one, it starts off the season and hopefully we can replicate what we did last season,” Walker said.
“It’s too early to say, there’s a lot of good teams in this league but hopefully we can be up there or thereabouts.”
While neither manager will attach much significance to the outcome of Sunday’s game, it was still a useful barometer of where both teams are, ahead of next weekend’s big kick-off.
Sunday’s evidence would suggest they will again be going toe-to-toe after City edged Liverpool by 98 points to 97 in winning last year’s epic title-race.
