'It is just a glorified friendly...'
The curtain raiser for the Premier League season was here, the Community Shield, formally the Charity Shield, can sometimes be a tedious affair, but this year was slightly different. With Manchester City winning the title and the FA Cup, it meant that Liverpool who came second in the League, would be the ones to face City to try and get the first piece of silverware of the season. Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola had been at loggerheads before the game, which along with how close they ran each other in the league, which meant this game which really is a glorified pre season friendly had been heavily anticipated.
As had been the case in the latter pre season games, Joe Gomez was picked ahead of Joel Matip in defence for the Reds. The midfield which always seems to be the biggest talking point when it comes to a Liverpool side saw Fabinho in a holding role, accompanied by Georginio Wijnaldum and captain Jordan Henderson. Any hopes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Naby Keita, or the likes of Harry Wilson were not to be, Wilson did not even make the bench, which surprised some, suggesting that he may be loaned out, which will be a shame. With, Sadio Mane given extended rest after his country Senegal made the African Cup of Nations final, Divock Origi was given the chance from the start, along with usual suspects Roberto Firmino and the Golden Boot winner Mo Salah.
The game started off and City were the better side, keeping possession better and looking the more organised. Leroy Sane hit the side netting early on for City after Raheem Sterling dispossessed Gomez, Liverpool went up the other end and Firmino flicked the ball up, controlled it and then a hit a good volley that was saved by Claudio Bravo. Salah went close when he was put through by Firmino, but he dragged his shot wide after a good interception by Henderson. Sane came off injured, and was replaced by Gabriel Jesus, early thoughts are that it looks very serious and may be his ACL. On 12 minutes the deadlock was broken, Liverpool were caught out playing a high line, David Silva cleverly flicked the ball on and Raheem Sterling knocked the ball by Alisson for 1-0. It was not the cleanest hit by the England star, but he was so close to goal, Alisson could not stop it, despite getting his leg to it. A few minutes later, Salah made a good run into the area but then his effort hit the outside of the post. City almost went 2-0 ahead when Alisson dived low to save another shot from Sterling. Salah was to shoot over again before the first half ended, as it was clear he was not a passing mood. City Head Coach, Pep Guardiola, who was dressed like he was going to the supermarket at an obscure time, was booked in the 40th minute for being over zealous on the sidelines with the officials. Overall, City had been better, but Liverpool did have chances.
The second half started with City's David Silva shooting over, a couple of minutes later; Sterling hit the post, luckily to spare his blushes offside was given, again however Liverpool had been exposed with the high line they continued to play. Liverpool started to pick up form a territorial standpoint and Virgil van Dijk hit the bar with a flick from a corner. Just past the hour, Origi went down, but City decided to play on, Sterling flew into the box, but he hesitated and Alisson was able to gather the ball, the game could have been put to bed. Salah was to hit the post again, as he pressed on with bis one man pursuit to beat Bravo. After, Alisson made a decent save a Kevin De Bruyne effort. In the 77th minute, Liverpool were level as City failed to clear a Henderson free kick and van Dijk skilfully lifted the ball back into the centre of the box and Matip headed in from just outside the six yard box. Liverpool were then rampant and saw blood as they searched for the winning goal, in the 82nd minute substitute Adam Lallana found another man who had just come in Keita, and his shot was saved by Bravo, it may have been better if the Guinean went for power than trying to place it. Salah, then had another shot deflected over, before his effort a minute later was straight at Bravo, who saved slow down. Lallana, who was fresh and in tenacious mode closed down new City signing Rodri, but Salah again in the thick of things could only conjure a tame attempt that Bravo blocked. The game was heading for penalties, when Mo Salah had a shot blocked in injury time, the ball flew into the air and Salah headed it towards goal, it looked destined to be the winner when Kyle Walker (City's captain on the day) ran back and somehow acrobatically cleared the ball from the goal line, Wembley was stunned.
So penalties it was. Wijnaldum, was to be the fall guy for Liverpool, as he had his penalty saved by Bravo and City at the end won the penalty shootout 5-4. This game embodied the saying that 'football is a game of two halves'. City were better in the first period despite Liverpool having chances, whereas Liverpool can take the positives from the second half, as they had City on the ropes, despite the fact Sterling should have killed the game. The worry for Liverpool is that the defensive line they are playing is too high, and they are almost asking for trouble on occasions. The fitness levels looked good from both sides, City tailed off slightly towards the end, but this was not aided by the fact Guardiola did not make as many changes as Klopp did.
@DubulDee
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