English Premier League
How Liverpool community shield victory over Man City could create more problems for Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool overcame Man city to secure their first title of the season, but that could cost the Reds as they set off in pursuit of more trophies this season
Liverpool won the Community Shield against Manchester City this weekend, giving their new season the best possible start.
The Reds came away with the trophy thanks to goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and summer acquisition Darwin Nunez, giving them a significant boost before the start of the 2022–23 Premier League season next weekend.
Additionally, it has been stated that it might provide the Merseysiders with a significant psychological boost going into the new season because it is believed that the Reds and City would once again be competing for major awards.
While success and the accompanying trophy cannot be overlooked, the Reds’ victory against their closest rivals may cause them some anxiety going into the upcoming campaign.
City manager Pep Guardiola now has a far better idea of what he has to concentrate on over the coming week to make his team ready before they begin their Premier League title defence.
He has already confirmed as much in his post-match press conference at the King Power Stadium. The Spaniard said: “We have to improve. The timing is not much what we have to do, especially the fact we need this month training and games to get our tempo and we will do it.”
City has a history of doing precisely that and grandly winning the Premier League championship. In the 2011–12 season, they lost to their arch rivals Manchester United by a score of 3-2.
Watch: WATCH FULL HIGHLIGHTS: LIVERPOOL 3-1 MAN CITY GOALS AND HIGHLIGHTS
That joy was only a hint of what was to come as they managed to eke past the Red Devils on the final day of the season, with Sergio Aguero winning the Cup with everything but the final kick.
Only last season did City use the same trick again. At Wembley, facing off against reigning FA Cup champions Leicester City, ex-Citizen Kelechi Iheanacho emerged as the villain by scoring a dramatic late winner to let Guardiola’s team down.
They responded in the greatest way they could, finishing the year with 93 points and winning their sixth Premier League title on the final day.
Although the Reds have won the first encounter between the two teams this season, Liverpool may throw worried glances in the direction of the Etihad Stadium as Guardiola prepares how he will end up on top.
In other news, (Video) Watch: Darwin Nunez Hulk-like celebration after scoring against Man City