Liverpool will be competing for their first piece of silverware on Saturday afternoon as the Reds face Manchester City at the King Power Stadium.
After their penalty shootout victory against Chelsea in the FA Cup final last season, Liverpool will play in the Community Shield for the 2022/23 season, facing Premier League champions Manchester City. The clash against City could potentially see Liverpool hand competitive debuts to new summer signings Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho.
Liverpool's last appearance in the Community Shield came in 2020 after their Premier League success but lost on penalties to Arsenal. The last time the Reds lifted the shield came way back in 2006 against Chelsea, with Jurgen Klopp 's side losing their last two.
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Klopp confirmed before the game that Adrian will start for the Reds in the Community Shield, with Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher both on the sidelines. Diogo Jota will also be absent with a hamstring injury, as will Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
So, what will the score be this weekend between Liverpool and Manchester City? We used FIFA 22 to get a score prediction...
Liverpool vs Man City score predicted by simulation
We used kick-off mode in FIFA 22, but didn't select a team to control, we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a score prediction. Note that as EA Sports' latest FIFA game FIFA 23 doesn't release until September, this simulation will feature old kits, but all transfers have been completed to make the simulation as realistic as possible.
We predict that Klopp's side could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Diaz.
We predict that City could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.
Man City controlled the opening stages of the game, with Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez both being denied brilliantly by Adrian. But against the run of play, it was Liverpool who took the lead, with Fabinho opening the scoring.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner was cleared back into the defender's bath, and from a tight angle, the 23-year-old threaded a ball to Mohamed Salah inside the box. With his back to goal, Salah chipped a cross into the box which was met by Fabinho, and the Brazilian's volley from close range ruffled the net, hitting the ribs of Ederson on the way through.
Man City continued to control the game despite the scoreline, with Haaland being denied from close range once again by Adrian. A standout moment for the Spanish goalkeeper was when he saved Kevin De Bruyne's powerful effort from just inside the box.
A cross was floated towards the back post by Jack Grealish and into the path of De Bruyne who took the ball in his stride, putting himself one-on-one with Adrian. The Belgian quickly snapped at his shot and fired a powerful effort across goal, but somehow, Adrian at full stretch was able to tip it around the post.
City started to get frustrated as the game went on, and that resulted in De Bruyne receiving his marching orders in the 75th minute as he caught James Milner for a second yellow card. Now against 10 men, the Reds started to carve out chances, and Salah doubled the lead with eight minutes remaining.
After winning possession in City's half, Naby Keita threaded a perfect through ball for Salah to chase on the left, sending the Egyptian through on goal. Ederson rushed out of his box to close the angle, but Salah took his shot early and fired past the 'keeper and into the top corner.
FIFA 22 predicted final score: Liverpool 2-0 Man City
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 22 predicts that a thrilling content between Liverpool and Man City will see the Reds come out on top, winning their first piece of silverware of the season. An unlikely hero could emerge in Adrian, with the 'keeper making six saves and earning the MOTM award to push the Reds to victory.
What do you think the Community Shield score will be between Liverpool and Manchester City? Let us know in the comments!
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