Team news
Liverpool (4-3-3) Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Origi.
Substitutes: Mignolet, Lovren, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Shaqiri, Matip.
Manchester City (4-1-2-3) Bravo; Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Zinchenko; Rodri; De Bruyne, D Silva; B Silva, Sterling, Sane.
Substitutes: Ederson, Gundogan, Jesus, Aguero, Angelino, Foden, E Garcia.
Preamble
Hello. The Premier League is the richest and most popular league in the world. But there’s one thing money can’t buy: hate. English football has not had a classic rivalry since Arsenal and Manchester United’s mutual enmity fizzled out in 2005. And although we’re unlikely to see a decade-long feud like that again, there is a real chance that, for the next few years, Liverpool and Manchester City could provide the kind of rivalry that elevates sport to the highest possible level.
The signs are good. They are the champions of Europe and England respectively, and arguably the two best teams in the world. They have already taken part in an extraordinary title race, not to mention an immense, intense Champions League quarter-final, and are likely to form their own mini-league again this season. Today they meet in the Community Shield, the match all journalists are contractually obliged to describe as the curtain-raiser for a new season. And although the game means nothing, it might tell us something about the relationship between the sides.
When their rivalry was at its peak, Arsenal and United usually turned this match into a pre-season unfriendly. Football has changed since Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira compared testosterone levels, and the burgeoning rivalry between City and Liverpool has been defined as much as anything by mutual respect. But things might be about to get a little saltier.
There was some needle in City’s vital league win at the Etihad in January, and there have been a few words in the build-up to this game. Anfield will not want for atmosphere when City visit in November. And if it all kicks off today, we’ll know something special is brewing.
Kick off is at 3pm.
Updated