Community Shield runners-up Manchester City elected not to collect their losers medals after Liverpool secured the trophy on Saturday.
The two sides went head-to-head at the King Power Stadium in what was the season’s traditional curtain-raiser. It was the Reds who ran out victors in the East-Midlands - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez all getting on the scoresheet, Julian Alvarez finding the net for City.
Whilst Liverpool were left celebrating following the final whistle, the same cannot be said of Pep Guardiola ’s troops. According to ITV Sport, runners-up medals were on offer for the losing side but City elected not to collect their tokens - instead choosing to applaud the Reds as they lifted the Community Shield before exiting down the King Power tunnel.
It remains to be seen whether they left the stadium with medals in-hand or indeed they will just be sent to the club following the match. Following the final whistle, Guardiola admitted that his side must get better ahead of their first Premier League match of the season against West Ham United next weekend.
As quoted by the club’s official website, he said: "Congratulations to Liverpool. The first 15/20 minutes they were better. After we got our game and it was quite similar the last 25 minutes, we arrive when they left space and tried to attack.
"In the second half we started really well. Our game was there. We were really good against this team, even in the first half we created enough chances to do it."
Will Man City or Liverpool win the Premier League this season? Make your predictions in the comments below
He continued: "We’ve had two weeks and a few more days now until we start [the season]. I said to the players, I am proud of how they gave everything.
"We have to improve. The timing is not much what we have to do, especially the fact we need this month training and games to get our tempo and we will do it."
Whilst City have missed out on the Community Shield for the second time in as many seasons - the side falling to a slender defeat to Leicester City at Wembley Stadium last term - they will be optimistic of claiming more silverware throughout the current campaign.
They head into the season as reigning Premier League champions, whilst they have spent huge sums in attempting to bolster the current squad at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland, who had a frustrating time during the Community Shield, was signed for £51m. He joins fellow forward Alvarez in making the switch to the club.
In the meantime, Kalvin Phillips arrived at Leeds United for a reported £45m, with goalkeeper Stefan Ortega being signed on a free transfer.
Their business is not expected to end there with the club hunting for a left-sided defender - Brighton ’s Marc Cucurella having emerged as a prime target.
