Liverpool have won the first piece of silverware of the 2022/23 season, defeating Manchester City 3-1 in the FA Community Shield at the King Power Stadium.

In a matchup pitting the two finest teams in England, Trent Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring for Liverpool, firing past Ederson.

City were on level terms through Julian Alvarez, who finished from close range, but late goals from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez gave the Reds their first Community Shield since 2006.

Story of the match

Jurgen Klopp opted for Roberto Firmino over Nunez, who bagged four against Red Bull Leipzig in a front three that included Salah and Diaz. Jordan Henderson made his 450th appearance in a Liverpool shirt.

Adrian started in goal in place of Alisson as Joel Matip partnered Virgil van Dijk in defense. 
 

Liverpool were quick to test the City defense after just two minutes as Adrian tried to find Joel Matip, but he was chased down by Haaland and Jack Grealish.

Salah was asking early questions of the Citizens defense, the link-up play presenting him with an early opportunity that he could only find the side netting with.

The reigning Premier League champions had their first sight of goal on eight minutes when Kevin de Bruyne picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Liverpool box, a block from behind by Virgil van Dijk causing the Belgian's shot to go wide.

Liverpool's full-backs were also proving to be danger men as a deep ball was crossed by Alexander-Arnold where Andrew Robertson was waiting at the back post, but his subsequent effort from a tight angle was nowhere near.

Ederson was called into action with 20 minutes gone, a quick throw-in by Salah finding Jordan Henderson, his cross finding Luis Diaz, the Colombian watching the City goalkeeper push the shot away with a diving stop.

A minute later, Liverpool opened the scoring. Salah passed to Alexander-Arnold, his shot finding the inside of the post and past Ederson.

Rahid Mahrez was next to try his luck, forcing Adrian into action with his shot, but the flag went up for offsides.

Haaland was eager to make an impact on his City debut and he fought off Robertson to get off a shot while off-balance that Adrian stopped. Moments later, he had an even better look, but couldn't hit the target.

The Citizens were growing in attack and Joao Cancelo was able to beat Henderson and Alexander-Arnold where he found space to cross for Haaland, van Dijk making another critical clearance.

Five minutes from halftime, Mahrez found space to shoot with his left foot, but it was directed straight at Adrian, who made the simplest of saves.

Half-time: Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City

A key for City in the second half was to find a way to get more touches for Haaland as he only had eight in the opening 45 minutes, fewer than any other player.

Two minutes after halftime, the lively Mahrez nearly put the Citizens on equal footing, but he mis-hit his close-range shot, allowing Adrian to get his body in the way.

De Bruyne and Cancelo would combine down the left to force a corner that the Belgian sent in deep, but it came to nothing. 

Alexander-Arnold moved up from his usual left-back spot to play as a free-roaming midfielder, giving the Reds an extra playmaker in the middle of the park.

City made a double change in the 58th minute, Phil Foden and Alvarez coming on for Grealish and the excellent Mahrez.

A minute later, Liverpool introduced Nunez for Roberto Firmino, a substitution that would prove to be key.

Foden and Alvarez put immediate pressure on the Liverpool goal, Adrian kicking the ball out of play to give City a throw-in.

On 65 minutes, the lead was almost doubled, Henderson's through-ball finding Nunez and he broke free, his attempted chip over Ederson saved by the Brazilian with his chin.

The Citizens would level after a VAR review. After a penalty shot was waved away, Adrian saved Foden's attempt, but Alvarez was on hand to fire home the rebound.

James Milner and Elliott were brought on for Alexander-Arnold and Henderson a minute after the equalizer.

Liverpool would see a VAR review lead to the eventual winner. Salah's lovely cross to Nunez saw the head into the hand of Dias, and after referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot, the Uruguyan beat Ederson into the bottom corner.

Keita came on for Thiago in what was the Reds' fourth substitution. 

With two minutes left on the clock, Robertson decided to have a go, firing well over the bar when a pass to Salah would have been the better play.

After Diaz was replaced by Carvalho, marking Liverpool's final change, Foden back-heeled for Haaland at the other end, the chance seemingly converted, but the ball wound up out of play. 

Nunez would round out the scoring deep in extra-time, Robertson's header finding him and his diving header made it 3-1.

With the last kick of the contest, Haaland missed a sitter, typifing his debut and City's day as Liverpool ran out deserved winners to lay down a marker ahead of the new Premier League season.

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Man of the match: Mohamed Salah

With a new contract sorted, the Egyptian showed why he was re-upped with the Reds, playing a part in all three goals.

He was a danger in his usual attacking role, created for others often, highlighted by his late cross that eventually saw Nunez score Liverpool's third.

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