Liverpool secured their first piece of silverware for the new season after defeating Manchester City 3-1 in the Community Shield on Saturday evening.
Community Shield
Result: Manchester City 1-3 Liverpool
Date: 30 April 2022
Venue: King Power Stadium
Man City manager Pep Guardiola gave new signing Erling Haaland his competitive debut while the Reds had a couple of key injuries, as Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker were not available.
The Reds had the first sight of goal in a quick start for both sides as Mohamed Salah beat Joao Cancelo out in the wing to go clear on goal but left-footed strike hit the side-netting.
Pep Guardiola's charges, meanwhile, settled to a passing rhythm, looking to open up the Liverpool defence but they went behind from a counter-attack on 21 minutes after Trent Alexander-Arnold's curled shot clipped the head of Nathan Ake and looped to the far post.
The Citizens remained on the front foot and Haaland found an opening ten minutes before the halftime break after a cross by Bernardo Silva but his shot, off balance, lacked power and was saved by Adrian.
However, Jurgen Klopp's men did not give City space through the middle and Mahrez had some space to exploit on the right wing but his low cut-backs and one threatening strike were smothered by Adrian.
Man City had a near-perfect start in the second stanza after Mahrez latched onto a chip in the box by Rodri but he miscued his volley into the hands of Adrian.
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The Citizens pinned Liverpool in their own half but they were not decisive in the final third and around the hour-mark Guardiola gave forward Julian Alvarez his competitive debut off the bench in place Mahrez.
Klopp also fancied his side's chances on transitions, as he also brought on new signing Darwin Nunez for his competitive debut upfront in place of Roberto Firmino.
Man City's changes made the more impact, as Alvarez levelled matters 20 minutes before time with a toe-poke from close-range after Adrian spilled fellow substitute Phil Foden's volley. The goal was initially disallowed for offside but awarded by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
As the game opened up, the VAR worked against the Citizens in the last ten minutes after Ruben Dias blocked Nunez's towering header with his hand in the box and conceded a penalty. Salah stepped up to take the spot-kick and converted the spot-kick..
Nunez wrapped up the game for the Reds in stoppage time with a diving header from close range after a knockdown by Andrew Robertson.
Haaland struck the crossbar for City from a rebound in the box soon after that, as Liverpool were crowned Community Shield champions for the first time in 16 years.
Here's how they line up:
Liverpool: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Diaz, Salah, Firmino
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; Rodrigo, Bernardo, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.
