Two late goals handed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool their first trophy of the season as they defeated Manchester City 3-1 in the FA Community Shield at the King Power Stadium.
Liverpool were rewarded for a brighter start as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected strike put the 2021-22 FA Cup winners a goal up at the break.
Premier League champions Manchester City hit back in the second half through Julian Alavarez before Mohammed Salah’s penalty and Darwin Nunez’s injury-time header sealed the silverware for Liverpool.
Triumph for @LFC in the first bout of the 2022-23 season! 🏆
The Reds dealt the first blow of the new season to @ManCity, as they claimed a 3-1 win to seal victory in the 2022 #CommunityShield! 🥊 pic.twitter.com/1LZUe0Cvee
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 30, 2022
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson made his 450th appearance in all competitions in the East Midlands.
Roberto Firmino led the attack while the Brazilian joined Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah in attack, with Darwin Nunez named among the substitutes.
A new frontman is introduced to @LFC @Darwinn99 👋#CommunityShield pic.twitter.com/N5e7ZNkm5c
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 30, 2022
The game started at a fast pace, and it was Liverpool who worked the opening chance of the match.
The No.66 himself was the one to open the scoring for the Reds just after the 20-minute mark, his curling shot finding the back of the net via the inside of the post following a Salah pass.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City responded before the interval, first through De Bruyne who drilled wide of the mark while Adrian was forced to save low from Erling Haaland and then Riyad Mahrez.
Adrian was forced into immediate action following the change of ends, saving a Mahrez half-volley from close range to keep the narrow lead intact.
Salah again caused City problems, cutting inside to see a shot halted ahead of the introduction of Nunez from the bench on the hour.
The striker almost made an instant impact, racing through on goal to be brought down by goalkeeper Ederson only to be denied by the offside flag.
Henderson then slid him through on goal a short while later, but he was to be halted by the onrushing shot-stopper.
The game opened following the flurry of activity, but it was City who struck next with a little under 20 minutes to go following a lengthy VAR check.
Adrian, again, saved well from Phil Foden before Alvarez followed in to find the back of the net unchallenged.
The goal was initially ruled out before the City duo were deemed to be onside in the build-up phase amid a long stoppage.
After a VAR check, substitute Alvarez’s 70th-minute equaliser was confirmed with the Argentine forward judged on side in the build-up before tapping home a rebounded shot from Phil Foden to bring Manchester City level.
Referee Craig Pawson was again forced to consult VAR just minutes later as Liverpool appealed furiously for a penalty.
Nunez headed back across goal and the ball struck defender Ruben Dias on the arm, though play initially carried on before the match official consulted the pitchside monitor.
Salah duly converted from 12 yards out and Nunez then put the exclamation point on the fixture in added time, bagging a debut goal thanks to a cushioned header from close range.
An immediate impact as @Darwinn99 introduces himself with a goal!pic.twitter.com/qLm9SN5sfO
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 30, 2022
Liverpool’s ’ win was sewn up in the fourth minute of added time as Nunez heading in his first goal for Liverpool before celebrating vociferously in front of his new adoring fans, a scene repeated at full time as Jurgen Klopp completed the domestic set with his first Community Shield as Liverpool coach.
The #HendoShuffle 🤩🏆 pic.twitter.com/oict2hVXIu
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 30, 2022
After the match match Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said ,”Congratulations to Liverpool. The first 15, 20 minutes they were better. In the second half we started really well, it was tight after the goal and our game was there.”
After the match Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said ,”Everything, I liked the whole game. We are that early [in the season], I like the problems we have in a game, especially when you win.”
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