Liverpool vs Crystal Palace launches 2025 season with Community Shield glory on the line
by Thobelani Moyo | by Cydias Aujard
Arne Slot is still going from strength to strength
Arne Slot wasted no time in establishing himself as a top manager after replacing the iconic Jurgen Klopp at Anfield in the 2024-25 English Premier League season.
In his maiden campaign as Liverpool head coach, he awakened the sleeping giants and guided them to their first league title since 2020. He became the fifth head coach to win the league title in his first season in charge.
This success marked the Reds' 20th league title, bringing them level with Manchester United for most trophies collected since the competition's introduction about 33 years ago.
To further understand how dominant the Reds were last season, they finished at the top with 84 points amassed from 38 games and maintained a comfortable ten-point lead over second-placed Arsenal. They were also the league's top goalscorers with 86 goals scored and came in second in terms of goals conceded—41. This is all thanks to Arne Slot's brilliance.
Currently, the 46-year-old is one match away from becoming the first Dutch manager to win the Community Shield. Can he achieve this feat? Find out what our Sportytrader betting experts have to say in our Crystal Palace vs Liverpool prediction.
Liverpool have a rich history in the Community Shield
The 2025-26 English Premier League season is around the corner with just five days left to spare until the anticipated competition begins. This is more than enough time for Liverpool to make the necessary preparations and start their title defense.
First on the agenda, though, is adding another silverware to their luxuriant trophy cabinet. The Community Shield is the prize they are chasing.
This is not the first time the Reds have competed in this tournament, with their most recent meeting dating back to 2022 when they outplayed Manchester City 3-1 at King Power Stadium to clinch their 16th title.
Looking at the number of trophies won in this competition, it's completely clear that the Reds are a household name in the Community Shield. From those 16 trophies won, five were shared, and 11 were won outright. This makes them the third most successful club in this competition.
If they manage to beat Crystal Palace today in the Community Shield, the number of trophies collected will increase to 17, bringing them level with Arsenal and making them the joint-second most decorated club in the tournament.
Crystal Palace are underdogs with big ambitions for the new season
Crystal Palace are the underdogs heading into this crucial encounter. It's true that they are competing in the Community Shield for the first time in their club history. Despite this, it will be unwise to rate the South London outfit low.
Three months ago, at this stage, the Eagles managed to overcome Manchester City in the FA Cup final to secure a rare 1-0 win that saw them clinch their first-ever major trophy in over a century. This also saw them secure a ticket in their first-ever appearance in the Community Shield.
This season, they are out to defend their FA Cup crown and hopefully impress in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Traditionally, a club that wins the FA Cup gets to secure a ticket in the UEFA Europa League. In the Eagles' case, they were demoted from the UEFA Europa League by UEFA's Club Financial Control Body.
Considering this is their debut in the Community Shield, Oliver Glasner's men are on the verge of another historic moment, and to achieve that, they need to confront a dreadnought Liverpool. Their past meetings against this team have left much to be desired, with 22 of their last 36 recorded meetings resulting in defeat.
Known for causing upsets, though, this is the same team that costs Liverpool the league title in 2024 with a narrow 1-0 victory at Merseyside. This victory also ended Liverpool's 29-match unbeaten run.
Oliver Glasner took over as Crystal Palace head coach last year after Roy Hodgson decided to step down. Since then, he has yet to lose a game against Liverpool in his three games in charge. Glasner boasts two draws and a solitary win. He hopes that will be enough to steer clear of Liverpool's threat.
