Liverpool team news v Crystal Palace: Wirtz among 4 official Reds debuts; Gravenberch not involved | OneFootball

For Liverpool, the 2025/26 season begins in earnest this afternoon as the Premier League champions take on Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, with both teams vying to win the first domestic silverware of the new campaign.

While the Reds will want to forget all about their previous visit to Wembley – the insipid Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle in March – the Eagles are back at the site of their greatest ever day, the historic maiden FA Cup final success over Manchester City.

Arne Slot’s side return to northwest London with a host of new signings in tow, including Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, although many Kopites yearn for another centre-back to be brought in due to the worrying lack of depth in that position.

Palace skipper Marc Guehi is reportedly a prime target for Liverpool, so his appearance today adds a compelling subplot to what should be a thoroughly entertaining fixture involving two teams who’ve had plenty to celebrate already in 2025.

(Photos by Warren Little and Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Liverpool starting XI for 2025 Community Shield

Slot has picked a strong starting XI for the Community Shield, with the Dutchman evidently determined to get the Reds’ season off to a winning note and secure silverware at the first opportunity.

Alisson Becker returns in goal after missing recent pre-season games in order to attend to a personal matter in Brazil, having resumed training in midweek. He’s behind a back four consisting of two new full-backs in Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, with a familiar centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai start in midfield, with Wirtz ahead of them in the number 10 role in his first competitive appearance for Liverpool. There’s also an official debut for Ekitike at centre-forward, flanked by Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo on the wings.

Teenage talents Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni are among the substitutes, along with first-team stalwarts like Alexis Mac Allister and Andy Robertson, although Ryan Gravenberch and Kostas Tsimikas are high-profile absentees from the matchday squad

You can view the Liverpool starting XI and substitutes below, via @LFC on X: