Premier League champions Liverpool meet FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Liverpool who stormed the league in last years campaign have further strengthened their squad, adding high profile names which have cost them top dollar.
Oliver Glasner has not had the same stroke of fortune. Crystal Palace have struggled to bring players through the door, only signing 2 players this window for a combined £2 million.
Palace are also on the brink of losing star man and FA cup final match winner Eberechi Eze this summer, with Arsenal circling the Englishman like sharks.
Liverpool beat Sundays opponents in both meetings last season on their way to their second ever Premier League title.
They have enjoyed a positive pre season in the lead up to this match, recently beating Athletic Bilbao not once but twice on the same day.
New signings Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez all left their stamp on the match.
Palace’s pre-season has consisted of three victories and one loss. Eze and Mateta have heavily impressed, contributing to the majority of the goals.
Glasner has voiced his ‘excitement’ for Sunday’s occasion and expressed how he will use it to “show how we want to play.”
Glasner’s eyes are firmly on the prize after he stated, “when you play a final you always want to win it.”
However, Glasner has raised his concerns for the upcoming season amid a “passive transfer window” so far. The German has called for quality to be added to a light squad.
Arne Slot is looking to start off the new season how he left the last, and that is with a trophy in between his hands.
Slot said that his side are “relishing the challenge”, however, he is aware of the difficulty standing in his way.
Liverpool’s predicted team
Allison, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike, Salah.
Crystal Palace’s predicted team
Henderson, Munoz, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Doucoure, Eze, Sarr, Mateta
I see Palace being a tough test for Slot’s Liverpool. I expect them to be physical and compete.
However, I think that Liverpool will just pip them to the Community Shield trophy and run out as winners with a score of 2-1.
Written by Max Pollen
INMR FOOTBALL 
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