Liverpool vs Man City | Community Shield 2019 | Match Preview

The Community Shield is the traditional opener to the new season of football – and a sign that it is time to get excited about the matches to come. It pits the winners of the Premier League against the winners of the FA Cup but this year, as Manchester City won both, Premier League runners-up Liverpool will take to the pitch.

Liverpool

Having lifted his first trophy as Liverpool boss in the form of the UEFA Champions League last season, Jurgen Klopp will be extremely keen to continue the Reds’ upward direction. The Merseysiders finished second in the Premier League last season and appear in the Community Shield due to Manchester City winning both the title and the FA Cup last season. Despite having finished behind this weekend’s opponents last season, a victory at Wembley could lay down a marker for the upcoming campaign. The Reds head into the match with a great record in the Community Shield having lifted the trophy outright on ten occasions – the last time coming in 2006.

Despite that, they will hope to use the game as a continuation of their preparations for the new season. Pre-season has not been kind to Klopp’s troops so far. In seven pre-season games, the reigning European champions have only won three, including one out of their last five matches. They will hope to shake off that patchy form ahead of the game on Sunday.

The Reds will be without star forward Sadio Mane after he was given extended time off following the African Cup of Nations. Defender Nathanial Clyne, who spent the second-half of last season with AFC Bournemouth, is likely to be out for the majority of the campaign. Roberto Firmino who has had a hand in ten goals in his last 11 appearances against Manchester City will hope to have an impact yet again.

Manchester City

The Citizens head into this match as the current reigning winners of the Community Shield. Pep Guardiola’s troops beat Chelsea 2-0 at Wembley Stadium last year thanks to a brace from star striker Sergio Aguero. Another victory at Wembley would make the Spaniard’s trophy haul at the Etihad Stadium look even more impressive having also won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two Carabao Cups in his time with the club. So far, the club have won the Community Shield on five occasions which is surprisingly more than Chelsea. Unsurprisingly however, the Citizens have been extremely impressive in their preparations for the 2019/20 season. Having played in the Premier League Asia Trophy, they powered past West Ham United before eventually falling to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the final via a penalty shootout. Following that, they also overwhelmed Kitchee and Yokohama F. Marinos and will hope to continue that positive form.

Left-back Benjamin Mendy remains out for the champions with a knee injury but could return in time for the start of the Premier League season. Fellow defender Aymeric Laporte does have a slight knock but should be fine to play at Wembley. Fernandinho is also a slight doubt. Summer signing Rodri could make his debut for the reigning Premier League champions.