Crystal Palace celebrated their first trophy with FA Cup success at the close of the 2024/25 season. They followed that by claiming the Community Shield in 2025/26 after overcoming Liverpool in a penalty shootout.
Liverpool kicked off the match strongly, securing a record-signing Florian Wirtz and quickly setting up Hugo Ekitike to open the scoring within four minutes. In response, Palace equalized from the penalty spot in the 17th minute when Jean Filippa Mateta converted after Ebeki Eze was brought down by Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool came back aggressively, with new signing Jeremy Frimpong delivering a cross that caught Dean Henderson off guard in the 21st minute. However, Ismaila Sarr capitalized on a defensive lapse from Liverpool to equalize at 77 minutes.
The match went to penalties, where Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah missed his shot, and Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott had their efforts saved by Henderson. Palace managed to convert their penalties through Mateta, Sarr, and Justin Devenny, despite Eze hitting the crossbar and Alisson saving Borna Sosa’s attempt.
Team Line-ups
Palace manager Oliver Glasner set up a three-player defense featuring Christ Richards, Maxen Lacroix, and captain Marc Guehi, with Henderson as the goalkeeper. Adam Wharton partnered with Daichi Kamada in midfield, while Tyrick Mitchell and Daniel Munoz played wide. Eze and Sarr supported Mateta in attack.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot included four new faces in the starting lineup, with only Alisson remaining from the previous season, and Giorgi Mamardashvili on the bench. Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté were partnered with Milos Kerkez in defense, while Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai filled the midfield roles in the absence of an unfit Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. Wirtz played as the No. 10, with Salah and Gakpo joining Ekitike in the attack.
Match Overview
Fans were eager to see Liverpool’s new signing in action, and early impressions were promising. The build-up to Wirtz’s opening goal highlighted his skill as he maneuvered through tight spaces, allowing Ekitike to finish impressively from the edge of the area.
Liverpool controlled a majority of the first half. Palace struggled to challenge Alisson’s goal until Van Dijk’s foul led to a penalty, which Mateta converted decisively.
Four minutes into the second half, Liverpool regained the lead with a bit of fortune; Frimpong’s cross intended for Gakpo took an unusual path, sneaking past Henderson and into the net.
Glasner made his first substitution in the 29th minute, bringing off Kamada for Will Hughes as the game slowed down. Liverpool headed into halftime with their one-goal advantage intact.
Upon resuming, Liverpool sought to build on their lead, but the Eagles’ defense stood firm, gradually allowing Palace back into the match.
Glasner’s strategy aimed to exploit Liverpool’s high defensive line, using passes behind Van Dijk and Konaté to create chances. This paid off when Sarr leveled the match at 77 minutes after receiving a brilliant pass from Wharton.
Just ten minutes later, Palace sought another penalty when McAlister’s arm blocked a shot, but referee Kavanagh opted not to award it following a VAR check. Liverpool pressed late but failed to threaten Palace’s goal effectively, with only a notable attempt from Salah saved by Henderson.
Palace’s Hard-Earned Victory
Despite Liverpool holding 60% possession, Crystal Palace deserved their victory, demonstrating resilience and capitalizing on Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Although Palace won the FA Cup, they won’t participate in the Europa League due to ownership issues involving Olympique Lyon. This triumph marked their second victory at Wembley in 2025, while Liverpool faced their second defeat after losing in the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle.
Liverpool’s Striker Dilemma
With the recent sale of Darwin Núñez and the tragedy affecting Diogo Jota’s family, Liverpool finds itself with only one striker in its senior squad. The team will likely seek reinforcements before the transfer window closes, especially since even Luis Diaz’s departure has added to their attacking concerns.
Links to Newcastle’s star striker, Alexander Isak, have emerged, with a past bid already declined. The situation may shift now that funds are available from Núñez’s sale, potentially leading to a new approach.
Positive Signs from New Signings
Despite the loss, Slot was impressed by debut performances from Wirtz, Ekitike, and Frimpong. Each contributed positively during the match, and while tactical adjustments are needed, their integration into the squad has shown promise.
Looking Ahead
Slot’s team will have five days to regroup before facing Bournemouth in their opening Premier League match at Anfield. With high expectations following last season’s success and a hefty investment of over €300 million in new signings, Slot must prove his worth as head coach.
Meanwhile, Glasner’s outstanding leadership last season, culminating in a trophy win, sets high hopes for future success as he prepares for a challenging match against Chelsea this Sunday.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the unpredictability of cup competitions, showcasing how underdogs like Crystal Palace can triumph against major clubs. The evolving dynamics within teams, particularly Liverpool’s need for a robust forward lineup, may redefine competitiveness in the league this season.
