Liverpool vs. Manchester City: What to expect from Saturday’s Community Shield matchup?

The New Signings Have Arguably Made This Fixture More Exciting, Not Only for the Community Shield but for Every Time These Two Square Up for the Remainder of the Season.

Who are we most excited to see play when Liverpool meets Manchester City later? City have already claimed all their newcomers are available for selection and in contention for a start. Liverpool, on the other hand, have some major injury concerns in the camp.

So that means, Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Stefan Ortega Moreno and Kalvin Phillips, are all available for the game while the latest reports have ruled out Aymeric Laporte through injury. Out for the Reds are Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Calvin Ramsay, and possibly Alisson Becker, who is more doubtful than ready for action.

The New Hitmen up Front: Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland

They will be the talk of the Premier League and not just that of the Community Shield clash. However, one is not sure if Klopp will start his new boy while Pep will start his new man, without question.

This is purely based on Roberto Firmino’s experience in this fixture and Pep’s desire to deploy a striker after going a full season without one. He will also want Haaland to get some more minutes under his belt ahead of the new season, having only played about 40 minutes of football to date.

Julian Alvarez Making a Bigger Impression

The Argentine has been so impressive that the club will not send him out on loan before the window closes, which was initially the plan. Will he start? That is the real question. After he scored six goals in one game for River Plate before leaving them, he is definitely one to watch and has the Cityzens excited for what’s coming.

Kalvin Phillips, a Big If?

Not sure if he will even feature, with Guardiola’s first-choice midfielder three hard-to-play out of a starting berth or off the pitch. Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, and Rodri started all the games before this one and should start again later today.

Fabio Carvalho: He Could Have Stated a Claim for a Starting Spot

One of the Reds’ biggest standout stars is their newcomer and former Fulham youngster, Fabio Carvalho. He has been so impressive over the last four games, he has left his manager with something to think about.

Does he start? Or Does he come on from the bench? One thing is certain, he will feature in today’s mouthwatering clash between Pool and City.

FA Community Shield Predicted Starting XI’s

Liverpool Starting XI (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Alisson
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson;
Midfield: Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson
Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Luis Diaz

I am banking on Alisson making a late return to the starting line-up after the late positive news on Friday afternoon. The rest of the team is what could be considered their strongest XI this season, with the exception of Roberto Firmino.

Although I feel pretty strongly that this is how Klopp will start today’s game, I also wouldn’t be surprised if he kicked off with Nunez leading the line with Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott starting over the more experienced midfielders. But this is City he will be taking on. No chances taken.

Manchester City starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Ederson;
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo;
Midfield: Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri;
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish

With no more Zinchenko to take up the left-back role, Cancelo will seamlessly fill in the void. This will leave space for Kyle Walker to start again, after not starting the second pre-season game.

The midfield will be the deadly trio of Silva, KDB, and Rodri, with no chance of any other player getting in ahead of them. As proclaimed earlier, Haaland will lead the line and Jack Grealish will start his more important role at the club, and that’s in the attacking line.

Riyad Mahrez: why would you leave the club’s top goalscorer from last season on the bench? He will get the nod from Pep.

Last Minute Talks

The Merseyside club, although having won the shield 15 times, last won it back in 2006, 16 years ago. They have been here two times in the last four years, losing both matches; once against Man City in 2019 and once to Arsenal in 2020.

City, bleeding success in this event over recent years, have been involved in this match three times in the last five years, winning it twice in back-to-back years.

Predicted score:

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City
Liverpool will win 5-4 on penalties due to their recent success in cup fixtures and in penalty shootouts.

Who do you think will win? What do you think the final score will be between the Reds and Man City?