Liverpool

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "We faced a good team. They made it difficult for us last season and they did today. We were able to create more than we usually do against teams that it low. But if you are conceding two goals it is too much, especially if you take penalties like we did."

On new signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike: "These are players we have brought in for quite a lot of money but so they know how to handle the pressure. Both of them played a good game."

On the penalties: "If the other team misses two out of five penalties, you expect to win and we did not. Mo Salah normally scores, Alexis Mac Allister normally scores and Harvey Elliott normally scores."

On the transfer window: "After two years of no change, we brought a lot of money in and then I think it is a good moment to get new energy in. We have lost four starters and players that have played a lot for us. Some wanted to leave, like Trent.

"As a result of that, we have to bring players in and that is what we did. We have to make sure we are ready for Bournemouth and then after that we have Newcastle away and Arsenal - I don't need to tell you how good those two teams are."

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• Liverpool have finished as Community Shield runners up for a ninth time, with only Manchester United doing so more often (10).

• Three of Liverpool's last four appearances in the Community Shield have gone to penalties, with the Reds losing all three shootouts (2019, 2020, 2025).

• Curtis Jones completed all 53 of his passes today - the best 100% completion rate of any player on record (since 2004-05) in a Community Shield final and the best for a Liverpool player in any competition since Jones himself against Southampton in November 2024 (58/58).

Crystal Palace have won the Community Shield on penalties after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Wembley.

Reds new boy Hugo Ekitike gave Liverpool the lead early on before Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk bought down Ismaila Sarr.

Arne Slot's side then retook the lead when Jeremie Frimpong's looped cross evaded Dean Henderson and found the far corner.

Sarr equalised again for the Eagles late in the second half to set up the penalty shootout from which Oliver Glasner's team emerged victorious.

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Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist at Wembley Stadium

Oliver Glasner has named a five-man defence for Crystal Palace's first competitive game of the season.

It is the same system used for their most recent friendly, a 1-0 loss to Augsburg on 1 August. Captain Marc Guehi - subject of transfer speculation as he enters the last year of his contract - is one of three centre backs.

Palace have several injury issues, with Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure among those set to miss the start of the season.

Palace XI: Henderson; Munoz, Richards Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell; Wharton, Kamada; Eze, Sarr, Mateta.

Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Edouard, Sosa, Devenny, Cardines.

Four of Liverpool's summer signings, including record acquistion Florian Wirtz, make their first competitive starts for the club today.

Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez form a new look pair of full backs, while it appears Hugo Ekitike will lead the line as the central striker.

Alisson keeps his place in goal, with Giorgi Mamardashvili among the subs.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Doak, Nguhoma.

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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If Darwin Nunez had a composure and calmness under stress to match his physical ability, we would be talking about the best striker on the planet. And I mean that.

He is ferociously quick and powerful, but works hard off the ball too. It is no wonder Jurgen Klopp was so desperate to sign him. But despite getting in great positions again and again, Nunez just could not finish.

His shooting when Liverpool were at 0-0 or one goal down was largely abysmal, except for the bizarre occurrences when he would score 90-minute winners - the most away from home of any player in Premier League history.

Nunez wore his heart on his sleeve and his fragility was endearing. You could tell when it was not going well for him - it was written all over his face. But you could also see how desperately he wanted it.

In the end, this probably held him back. And yet, he still chased lost causes, closed things down and occasionally did brilliant things.

His emotional vulnerability led fans to love him, especially those who go to Anfield - not the ones on the internet whose teasing also affected his confidence.

The sale is the right move as Liverpool will bank £46m for a player who Arne Slot refused to start at the end of last season.

If Liverpool can use the money recouped for Nunez on Alexander Isak - a massive upgrade - every supporter will be delighted.

If somehow we do not buy a forward, we will look very light up top, but I fully trust Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes to get a deal for Isak done.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

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Darwin Nunez's three-year spell at Liverpool has come to an end with the striker signing for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal on a permanent deal.

The 26-year-old joined the Reds in June 2022 from Portuguese side Benfica for an initial fee of £64m but departs for Saudi Arabia for a fee worth £46.3m.

Nunez joined the Reds made 143 appearances and scored 40 goals for the Reds, winning the Carabao Cup in 2024 and Premier League last season.

A Liverpool statement read: "Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future."

More over here

You have been sharing your stories and photos about why you love Liverpool.

Here is a final selection of your submissions, but do make sure you scroll down this page to see all the best responses from throughout the week:

Mick: Back in 1972, at seven years old, I was trying to pick a football kit for my action man.

I looked down the list; Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester... Oh wait, Liverpool. I like liver I like swimming. I want that one. Haven't looked back since. Although not so keen on liver any more...

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Joe Gomez "has a minor injury" and will not be available, but Slot expects him to be back soon.

• Alexis Mac Allister is fit enough to start the game but not play a full 90 minutes.

• On the ongoing tributes to Diogo Jota and how it has impacted them: "The tragedy impacted but it impacted his wife, children and parents more. The tributes that have been done since were all very emotional and impressive."

• He said it is "nice to start the season with the chance to win something" but "unfortunately we face a very good Crystal Palace that have been very difficult to win against".

• On opponents Palace: "They have kept their team together so they can probably hit the ground running. A team that performed really well at the end of last season. A good challenge for us to start the season with."

• Slot said they aren't drawing too much on experience from the Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle but "on Sunday, one goal is worth a lot".

• On Darwin Nunez agreeing a deal with Al-Hilal: "Darwin might leave, indeed, but things aren't signed yet. You will need to wait a few days before that's completely done. There is a chance he is going to leave."

• He said they are "always looking at other options in the market" but he is "very happy with the squad" that he already has.

• In response to reinforcing their attacking options further: "We already have a lot of attacking power in our team. Coady Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekiitke, Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong."

• He said Frimpong was brought in because he "can play as a right full-back and as a right winger," which was important because Salah will miss up to six games during the Africa Cup of Nations.

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• Liverpool have only won the Community Shield outright on one of the past six occasions they have played in the match as league champions, beating Wimbledon 2-1 in 1988.

• The FA Cup winners have beaten the league champions to the trophy in seven of the past nine Community Shield meetings.

• Crystal Palace are competing in their first Community Shield, and none of the past four such teams have won the trophy, with two of those losing to Liverpool (Southampton in 1976 and Wimbledon in 1988).

• The Eagles have also won just one of their past 16 games against the Reds (D3 L12), picking up a 1-0 victory at Anfield in the Premier League in April 2024.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak will not play for the club in pre-season games against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid this weekend amid uncertainty about his future and interest from Liverpool. (Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos about why you fell in love with Liverpool.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Sol: It started as an anti-Manchester United! Growing up just outside Manchester, all my friends were passionate about Manchester United. I just didn't want to follow the crowd. My mate mentioned Liverpool and I was away... passion and red for life.

Being of Indian background, my dad didn't follow football (more cricket) but an old English lady next door introduced me to football and became my second mum - my soccer mum!

Loud Saturday nights in front of Match of the Day followed (RIP Jimmy Hill), downing Pontefract cakes with dandelion and burdock and I didn't look back!

Send us your pictures and stories here

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Liverpool have had plenty of representation in this year's Ballon d'Or nominations.

They made the shortlist for men's club of the year alongside fellow Premier League side Chelsea, European champions Paris St-Germain, Botafogo and Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister made the 30-man Ballon d'Or nominations list with newcomer Florian Wirtz also included for his contributions at Bayer Leverkusen last campaign.

Goalkeeper Alisson is in contention for the Yashin award, handed out to the season's best goalkeeper while head coach Arne Slot has been nominated for the coach of the year award.

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We asked you whether selling Darwin Nunez is a risk on Liverpool's behalf if it ends up leaving them short on attacking numbers for the new season.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: No risk. He's a liability and we're better off being one player short than having him in the squad.

Paul: I wish Darwin well. I had hoped he would stay and take his chance when opportunity allowed. He seemed more relaxed and sharp in the friendlies. It might come back and bite us if the new faces don't hit the ground running. We just have to trust the process of recruitment.

Gary: Yes, it is a risk as we very sadly lost Diogo Jota and now we're selling Nunez, who has been great in pre-season. I'd have given him a chance. The pressure to sign Alexander Isak is now on.

Harpreet: There is definitely a risk in letting Nunez go without a replacement ready to come in. I assume the club are confident of getting the Isak deal over the line, but FSG has shown it has no issues going into a season with a lack of depth in certain areas. The lack of depth at centre-back this close to the start of the season is another worrying issue.

Thom: Unfortunately, Nunez didn't live up to expectations. However, with the tragic loss of Jota and an influx of new talent, I felt Nunez was needed this term. He provides something different, an explosion of pace, chaos and an understanding of the club and league. Someone like that is needed while others settle in.

Ricky: I don't think selling Nunez is a risk for the club but I don't think it's the best move for the player football-wise. Good luck to him, though. Things just didn't work out as expected.

• Find and follow your club on BBC Sport

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Are Liverpool taking a risk by selling Darwin Nunez to Saudi Pro League Al-Hilal this summer?

Hugo Ekitike, who arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt, may need time to settle into the English top flight and there remains uncertainty around whether Alexander Isak can be brought in from Newcastle.

Arne Slot's Reds will again be competing on all four fronts this campaign and attempting to defend their Premier League title, so is it a concern that Nunez is leaving if there are to be no new additions?

Despite the attacking signings already made this summer, could Liverpool be left light in numbers up front?

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