Liverpool and Crystal Palace drew 2–2 at Wembley before Palace won 3–2 on penalties in the 2025 FA Community Shield. Read our full match report, tactical analysis, Jota tribute, where to watch on ESPN+, and season implications.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Quick facts
- Match: FA Community Shield — Crystal Palace 2, Liverpool 2 (Crystal Palace won 3–2 on penalties), Wembley Stadium, 10 August 2025.
- Goals: Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool) 4′, Jean-Philippe Mateta (Palace, pen) 17′, Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool) 21′, Ismaïla Sarr (Palace) 77′.
- Penalty shootout: Crystal Palace won 3–2; Dean Henderson produced key saves; Justin Devenny scored the decisive spot-kick. Mohamed Salah missed for Liverpool in the shootout.
- Tribute: The match included a pre-game tribute to the late Diogo Jota (minute’s silence, armbands) that added an emotional backdrop.
- Where to watch (US): ESPN+ streamed the Community Shield live in the United States.
Introduction — why the Shield mattered this year
The FA Community Shield has always been England’s traditional curtain-raiser — pitting the Premier League champions against the FA Cup winners — and the 2025 edition delivered drama, emotion and a seismic result. Liverpool arrived as reigning champions and heavy favourites on paper; Crystal Palace came in on the crest of an FA Cup triumph that marked one of the most remarkable seasons in their history. The game at Wembley offered more than silverware: it was a meaningful stage for new signings, a first test for managers, and this year it doubled as a public tribute to the late Diogo Jota, whose recent death cast a poignant shadow over the fixture.
Match report — high-octane first half, dramatic finish
Liverpool burst out of the blocks. In the fourth minute, new signing Hugo Ekitiké—on his debut—took a slick pass from Florian Wirtz, turned, and slotted clinically to put the Reds ahead inside five minutes. Palace’s response was immediate grit: Jean-Philippe Mateta was fouled in the box and converted the penalty to level on 17 minutes. Liverpool reclaimed the lead only four minutes later through Jeremie Frimpong, whose shot gave Wembley its first roar. The second half had its share of chances and momentum swings; Ismaïla Sarr’s equaliser in the 77th minute forced extra drama, and neither side could find a winner in added time. With the match headed to a shootout, Crystal Palace held their nerve and took the Shield after a tense sequence of spot kicks.
Key moments:
- Ekitiké’s debut strike showed why Liverpool invested in him and why fans were excited about his timing and movement.
- Mateta’s penalty was the classic striker’s response — clinical and composed.
- Frimpong’s 21st-minute effort restored Liverpool’s lead and showcased his directness from the right flank.
- Sarr’s 77th-minute equaliser turned the momentum and sent the contest to penalties.
The shootout — how Palace edged it
Penalty shootouts are a psychological minefield. In this one, Dean Henderson stood tall for Palace, producing crucial saves that swung the balance. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah failed to convert in his attempt, while Palace’s Justin Devenny stroked home the decisive penalty to secure a memorable win for the Eagles. The shootout result capped a remarkable summer for Crystal Palace — back-to-back major trophies in one spectacular season.
Tribute to Diogo Jota — the emotional frame
Off the pitch, the day was heavy. Clubs, players and fans paused to remember Diogo Jota: pre-match wreaths, a minute’s silence and “Forever 20” tributes were on display. The pre-game ceremony underlined how the sport often becomes a stage for collective mourning and memory as well as competition; it gave the Community Shield a more somber context that resonated across both sets of supporters. Broadcasters and both clubs highlighted the tribute throughout the day.
Tactical analysis — what each side showed
Liverpool (Arne Slot era / new signings on show):
- The early goal underlined Liverpool’s intent to press quickly and move the ball through Wirtz and Szoboszlai into the final third. Ekitiké’s movement and Frimpong’s wing bursts added tempo. The Reds showed attacking inventiveness but some defensive lapses on transitions cost them as Palace exploited moments to force penalties and an equaliser.
Crystal Palace (Oliver Glasner’s pragmatic cup winners):
- Palace displayed the resilience that defined their FA Cup run: compact midfield, direct routes to Mateta and Sarr, and calm finishing from the penalty spot. The team’s organisation late in the second half created the platform for Sarr’s equaliser, and the squad’s composure in the shootout underlined their mental strength.
Tactical takeaway: The match was a valuable test for Liverpool’s summer recruits — they showed flashes but will need consistency across a full Premier League season. Palace proved that cup-winning cohesion can translate into one-off competitive success, even against heavyweights.
Player spotlight — Ekitiké, Frimpong, Mateta, Sarr, Henderson
- Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool): Scored on debut and looked composed in the box — a promising start for a high-profile signing. Expect Liverpool to build attacking patterns that maximize his movement.
- Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool): A dynamic outlet on the right, his early goal displayed pace and directness. Frimpong’s rampaging runs will be a tactical feature for Slot going forward.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace): Clinical from the spot; Mateta’s penalty under pressure helped Palace salvage parity.
- Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace): His equaliser showed Palace’s ability to finish chances late and demonstrated why he was vital to Palace’s cup success.
- Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace): Match-deciding in the shootout with key saves that swung the result in Palace’s favour.
Where to watch — TV & streaming details (global)
- United States: The Community Shield streamed exclusively on ESPN+ (coverage and pre/post match programming included). If you’re in the US, subscribe to ESPN+ to stream live.
- United Kingdom: TNT Sports / discovery+ held coverage this year (the Shield moved off free-to-air in the UK). Check TNT Sports channels or discovery+ streaming for live access. (SI)
- Other markets: DAZN and local broadcasters carry the fixture in various territories — check local listings or the FA/club websites for regional rights. Highlights and extended coverage were available on club channels and major sports outlets post-match.
Quick viewing note: ESPN listed the kick-off at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 BST) for the US broadcast window; check local listings for times in your timezone.
CRYSTAL PALACE ARE THE 2025 COMMUNITY SHIELD WINNERS ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/dXhwOVGbSZ
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 10, 2025
What the result means — short & medium term
For Liverpool: Losing on penalties in a one-off match isn’t catastrophic — the Community Shield is both silverware and a high-profile friendly — but the defeat raises questions about defensive solidity and finishing under pressure. New signings scored and impressed; the focus now shifts to integrating them consistently for Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
For Crystal Palace: The victory is huge. Palace add the Community Shield to their FA Cup, claiming two major trophies in a small window and signaling a new era of competitiveness and cup pedigree. The win builds momentum and belief ahead of Palace’s league campaign.
What is the Community Shield (brief explainer)
The FA Community Shield is England’s traditional season opener played at Wembley between the Premier League champion and FA Cup winner. It has roots as a charitable match (formerly the Charity Shield) and serves as both a trophy and a competitive warm-up. While some managers treat it as an extended friendly, the modern Shield often features strong lineups and is a legitimate early litmus test for the season ahead. Proceeds historically support community causes.
Reaction & headlines
Broadcasters and pundits split reaction between praise for Liverpool’s attacking verve (and the immediate impact of summer recruits) and admiration for Palace’s grit and composure. The Jota tribute became a central talking point off the field; on the field, Palace’s penalty-taking and Henderson’s saves received top billing. Social media carried a mixture of celebration for Palace and cautious optimism for Liverpool supporters given the preseason nature of the contest.