Mohamed Salah was the star of the show as Liverpool clinched the Community Shield after a tasty clash with Manchester City at the King Power Stadium.
The Kop ace scored from the spot to restore the Reds' lead after City new boy Julian Alvarez had cancelled out Trent Alexander-Arnold’s opener. It was a tense and lively affair for a so-called friendly as both sides seemed desperate to get their hands on the silverware in this season's curtain-raiser.
Liverpool took the lead when Alexander-Arnold’s shot was deflected in off the post by Nathan Ake’s header. The Reds deserved their first-half advantage having had the better of the early proceedings. It was a tough afternoon for Erling Haaland, who managed just eight touches in the first half. City were maybe struggling how best to integrate him into their side.
But he did look dangerous when he got the ball, which will be a cause for concern for the champions’ Premier League title rivals. City levelled when Alvarez turned the ball home after fellow substitute Phil Foden had a shot saved. A lengthy VAR check saw the assistant referee’s offside call overturned.
But Liverpool got back in front when Ruben Dias’ arm blocked a Darwin Nunez header and Salah stepped up when referee Craig Pawson reviewed the decision. Nunez then got on the scoresheet with a late header.
WINNERS
MOHAMED SALAH
A new contract, his future no longer in doubt and a man who looks ready to return to his best. His goal tally was obviously good last season but there is no doubt his second half of the campaign was below his lofty standards.
Now with his Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup heartaches behind him and a new deal at Anfield, he seems rejuvenated and this was a performance to prove it which was capped with a goal from the spot.
But he was a constant threat down the right for the Reds and looking to create at every opportunity.
THIAGO ALCANTARA
There was a moment when his fast feet not only got him out of trouble but also released pressure on Liverpool at a vital time when City were starting to crank it up.
His touch and range of passing remains utterly mesmerising and showed yet again what he is capable of here. There was talk of how he would adapt to Liverpool when he first arrived here but he has engineered his way of playing into the Red machine.
DARWIN NUNEZ
A cameo appearance for Liverpool’s record signing - and what a half-hour it was from him. There will be tougher days for the Uruguayan but winning his side the penalty which turned the game back in their favour and then getting a goal to seal the Community Shield will go down as one of his better afternoons.
It was not just his involvement in the goals which stood out, it was his movement from the moment he stepped on the pitch. Bright start, for sure.
LOSERS
JACK GREALISH
A chance to shine at the start of his second season at City but one which he didn’t take, and that will be frustrating for the £100million man. At times, he posed a threat on the ball and looked like he might create something but often he took too long to make the decision.
His team-mates still seem unsure what he is going to do with the ball, which doesn’t help him ether. He will need to step up to make an impact this season.
What did you make of Jack Grealish's performance? Have your say in the comments...
ERLING HAALAND
Now, before this article is thrown back at us at the end of the season when he inevitably scores more than 20 goals, this was a tough afternoon but not really a sign he will struggle in his debut season in the Premier League.
At times, he showed what he will bring with his runs and movement but City just don’t seem to have found their way to best involve him in their attacks, which is understandable considering how different he is to what they played with last season.
His miss at the end, when he fired off target after Phil Foden’s strike fell to him, summed up his afternoon. He hasn’t trained much with his new team-mates and Pep Guardiola’s thinking will still be getting through to him, so the goals and performances will come, but this wasn’t his best day.
