Liverpool vs Man City LIVE: Community Shield result and final score as Darwin Nunez goal seals win
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City: The Reds win the first trophy of the season as Darwin Nunez’s debut goal sealed the win while Erling Haaland had a day to forget
Liverpool are the winners of the Community Shield for the first time in 16 years after a debut goal from Darwin Nunez wrapped up a 3-1 win over the Premier League champions Manchester City at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
In a contest befitting of Liverpool and Manchester City’s intense rivalry last season, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s teams produced a compelling match as new arrivals Erling Haaland and Nunez made their first competitive outings following big-money moves this summer.
Liverpool were sharp in the opening exchanges with Mohamed Salah threatening on the right wing, but it was Trent Alexander-Arnold who fired them ahead on 21 minutes as the right-back’s shot deflected off Nathan Ake.
Haaland had a couple of chances before the break, the best of which when he stretched for Joao Cancelo’s cross, but it was the other new signing Julian Alvarez who equalised for City after a lengthy VAR review.
Nunez also had chances to open his account but the Uruguay striker was involved in the decisive late penalty, as his header was blocked by Ruben Dias’ outstretched arm. Salah converted to restore Liverpool’s lead before Nunez added a late third to seal it, as Klopp added a Community Shield to his trophy haul at Anfield.
Haaland had an afternoon to forget after a late miss from six yards, as Liverpool gained revenge from two previous defeats in the Community Shield in 2019 and 2020. Follow live reaction from the Community Shield final, below:
Darwin Nunez helps steer Liverpool to Community Shield glory over Manchester City
Jurgen Klopp may have tried to avoid a striking shootout, an immediate comparison between two attacking signings. He delayed Darwin Nunez’s debut, holding him back while Erling Haaland started for Manchester City. Yet the Uruguayan ended his Liverpool FC bow having opened his account, made an explosive impact and won the Community Shield. It was quite a start.
His 40 minutes of menace trumped Haaland’s 90 of impotence, capped by a glaring miss in injury time. He clipped the bar but, with the goal gaping, his 14th touch of the match was his worst.
Report by Richard Jolly at the King Power Stadium:
Darwin Nunez helps steer Liverpool to Community Shield glory over Manchester City
Liverpool 3-1 Man City: Nunez’s late strike secured victory for the Reds as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah also netted
FULL TIME! Liverpool 3-1 Man City
As Liverpool get their medals, Trent Alexander-Arnold is delighted with the win. Some might question how important the Community Shield is but the right back says Liverpool were motivated after previous defeats in 2019 and 2020.
“Our season started today,” he tells ITV. “It was important to get off on the right foot. [On Darwin Nunez] He won the pen, scored the goal. He looks lively. He’s been brought in to score goals. He’s willing to learn and has bonded well with the lads.”
FULL TIME! Liverpool 3-1 Man City
But just as Liverpool fans should not be getting carried away with Nunez, neither should rival fans read too much into Haaland’s debut outing.
And that’s especially when this clip will be doing the rounds on social media until the start of the Premier League next weekend...
FULL TIME! Liverpool 3-1 Man City
This was the moment that sealed it. Even before then, Nunez had linked up well with Liverpool’s attack.
FULL TIME! Liverpool 3-1 Man City
Liverpool win the Community Shield!
The Reds win the trophy for the first time since 2006 after a brilliant match against Manchester City, who had levelled through Julian Alvarez late on.
But it’s Liverpool’s day, and the talk will all be about Darwin Nunez after his late goal. It wasn’t to be for Erling Haaland,
Liverpool 3-1 Man City
90+6 mins: What a miss from Haaland!
Adrian palms the ball out but he blazes over from six yards!
GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Man City (NUNEZ 93’)
Darwin Nunez wraps up the Community Shield for Liverpool on his debut!
It’s a lovely move from Liverpool and is finished off by the striker as he drops to steer Robertson’s cross into the net.
An instinctive finish and he whips off his shirt to celebrate in front of the Liverpool fans!
Liverpool 2-1 Man City
92 mins: Haaland has the ball in the net! But the cross from the left had gone out of play before Foden’s cut-back.
Guardiola paces on the side-lines.
Liverpool 2-1 Man City
90 mins: This isn’t over yet. There will be SEVEN minutes added on!
Liverpool 2-1 Man City
86 mins: Close! Almost a brilliant header from Nunez, who rises in between Haaland and Dias but his glances effort goes wide. Turned a decent cross from Milner into a good chance.
Robertson then blazes over.
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