Liverpool take on Arsenal on Sunday. This is the predicted line-up.
Premier League champions Liverpool take on FA Cup winners Arsenal. Both teams have won the Community Shield 15 times, with the Reds’ last triumph coming back in 2006 while the Gunners won in 2017.
The two sides have played each other in the competition thrice, the most recent of which came in 2002. In that game, a left-footed shot from Gilberto Silva won the match for Arsenal.
Last year, we put in a tough fight against Manchester City with a last-minute clearance from Kyle Walker and a penalty save from Claudio Bravo saw Pep Guardiola’s side win it.
However, Liverpool seem the favorites to win their 16th Community Shield given the quality of the team. That said, Arsenal shouldn’t be written off as they have improved under Mikel Arteta and have a pretty decent group of players who could give the Reds a test.
Plus, they beat us a few months back – although we wouldn’t expect the same type of mistakes from Alisson and Virgil van Dijk.
The Community Shield is not the most coveted of silverware but Jurgen Klopp will be eager to get a win ahead of the beginning of the title-defence.
So, let’s take a look at how Liverpool could line up and do not hesitate to send your thoughts in the comment section.
Alisson
There’s little doubt that the Brazilian shot-stopper will start for Liverpool on Saturday. He did very well last season but could’ve done better if not for the few injuries he suffered. Alisson will be eager to start off 2020/21 strongly and he’ll be expected to thwart the likes of Aubameyang, Lacazette and Pepe on Saturday.
It has been 31 years since a Liverpool goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the Community Shield which, interestingly was against Arsenal. Alisson has been in good form for a while now and the Gunners attackers will find it difficult to get the better of him.
Last season, the 27-year-old kept 17 clean sheets across all competitions and he’ll be eager to keep a lot more in the upcoming season.