LIVERPOOL 1, MAN CITY 1
(Manchester City won 5-4 on penalties)
Reserve goalkeeper Claudio Bravo made one telling save as Manchester City beat arch rivals Liverpool on penalties to retain the FA Community Shield.
Bravo’s one vital stop in the shootout denied Georginio Wijnaldum as City claimed the first piece of silverware in the 2019/20 season.
And Gabriel Jesus scored City’s match-winning kick against Brazilian international team-mate Alisson Becker.
In what was a captivating contest, in which no quarter was given in a full-blooded encounter. City were the superior side in the opening half and fully deserved their 1-0 advantage thanks to a scrappy goal from Raheem Sterling against his former club.
Liverpool, however, dominated the second period, and their efforts were rewarded through a header from substitute Joel Matip late in the game.
And they would have snatched victory in stoppage time but for Kyle Walker’s spectacular goalline clearance to deny Mohamed Salah.
Embed from Getty ImagesCity manager Pep Guardiola praised the quality of the game, describing it as “tremendously demanding”.
He said: “It was an incredible final from both sides, no team can dominate for 90 minutes.
“We had real good moments. In the last 15 minutes we were exhausted and they had chances to win the game.
“It was a good test for both teams. It’s nice for the players to realise what they will face this season. At this level the difference is nothing. One penalty, one point.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “Wow. It was a really good performance, a powerful one in the second half.
“The least we deserved was the equaliser. One save decided it and I cannot be disappointed. The performance was much more important today than a win. I liked the game, but not the result and to create so many chances was pleasing.
“In the second half we changed a few things. We wanted it and in the end it was a little bit lucky. Both teams desperately wanted to win. Congratulations to City.”
Seldom in recent years have seen sides field such strong line-ups for this curtain-raiser for the new season.
Liverpool, with the exception of Sadio Mane, fielded their first-choice side and nine of the players that started the final of the Champions League.
City, meanwhile, handed a debut to 70 million euro club record summer signing Rodrigo in a side that was also impressive, though Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Ederson, who had been on Copa America duty with Brazil, were on the bench while Fernandinho who was also in Copa action, did not feature.
Leroy Sane got behind the Liverpool defence in the fourth minute but shot into the side netting from a tight angle.
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino stung the palms of Bravo and Salah shot narrowly wide in what was a remarkably open start to the game
City made the breakthrough in the 12th minute when Sterling finished a well-executed free-kick routine.
The ball was sprayed out to Kevin Du Bruyne on the left and his cross was flicked on by David Silva to Sterling whose shot squirmed out of the grasp of keeper Alisson.
In his last four games at Wembley for club and country, Sterling has scored six goals and also provided one assist.
It was also Sterling’s first goal against former club Liverpool at the 11th attempt.
City were forced to make a change moments later when Sane limped off to be replaced by Jesus.
Sterling had a chance to double the lead soon after but Alisson made a decent save after Salah had struck the outside of the post from a narrow angle.
As assistant’s flag spare Sterling embarrassment as he struck the upright when clean through on goal, but he had strayed offside running on to David Silva’s through ball.
Liverpool cranked up the pressure and were denied by the frame of the goal twice in as many minutes.
Virgil Van Dijk’s shot from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced down on the line.
That was followed by Salah striking the upright after a mesmeric run in which his footwork was brilliant.
Sterling burst clear again only to stumble in front of goal enabling Alisson to save.
City made a second change on the hour when David Silva, making a 15th Wembley appearance, was replaced by Ilkay Gundogan.
Liverpool were rewarded for their considerable second-half efforts with a 77th minutes equaliser which stemmed from a Jordan Henderson free kick.
Van Dijk turned the ball back across the face of goal from the far post and substitute Matip, who had been on the field for 10 minutes, headed home from four yards.
Liverpool had chances to take the lead but a shot from substitute Naby Keita was well kept out by Claudio Bravo before Salah had a shot deflected which looped on to the roof of the net and another effort well saved.
City made a third change in the last minute when De Bruyne, who had picked up a knock, was replaced by Phil Foden.
Salah was denied a winner in the second of four added minutes when he header was looping into the net until Walker saved the day with an athletic goalline clearance.
Incredibly Salah had 10 of Liverpool’s 17 goal attempts, but failed to find the net as the game went to a penalty shootout after 90 minutes.
The shootout was no less dramatic as nine of the 10 kicks were converted, Wijnaldum the only player to miss as City won the Shield for a sixth time in 12 attempts.
- Guardiola confirmed City had been interested in Harry Maguire, who moved from Leicester City to Manchester United but they were unable to afford him.