Liverpool hit first blood against Manchester City ahead of the new Premier League season, when Darwin Nunez immediately impressed Jurgen Klopp’s men and won the Community Shield 3-1. In a tale of two big summer signings, Nunez came off the bench to win a penalty and score his first goal since a 75 million euros ($77 million) transfer from Benfica, while Erling Haaland made a City debut to quickly to forget.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s blistering strike gave Liverpool a deserved lead at half-time in Leicester.
But it was City’s other new striker who dragged Pep Guardiola’s men back into the game after the break when Julian Alvarez equalized.
Binding Mohamed Salah to a new three-year deal was another key part of Liverpool’s summer and the Egyptian was killed from the penalty spot after Nunez’s header was handled by Ruben Dias.
The Uruguayan then got his own moment of glory by ducking to head home in stoppage time before tearing off his shirt to celebrate.
The win saw Liverpool win the traditional season curtain for the first time since 2006 and set an early milestone in what is expected to be another battle between the sides for the Premier League title.
City stopped the Reds from winning the Premier League by a point for the fourth time in five years in a thrilling final last season.
Guardiola’s men had to come from a 2-0 deficit to Aston Villa on the final day of the campaign and were again guilty of a slow start.
Salah scored the opening goal when he put Thiago Alcantara’s crossfield pass back to the edge of the penalty area and Alexander-Arnold drove into the post using a slight deflection from Dias.
City had only played two friendlies against Liverpool’s four in the pre-season and it took half an hour to find their way.
Haaland was denied by Liverpool stand-in goalkeeper Adrian with his first sight of the goal.
However, the Norwegian should have opened his City account moments later as he failed to make good contact with Joao Cancelo’s inviting cross.
Nunez had a chance to shine on the hour, but lost his first big chance when Ederson triumphed in a one-on-one.
On the other hand, City’s new South American striker also got his career off to a flying start in England.
Alvarez’s arrival at the Etihad has remained under the radar in the hype surrounding Haaland.
But the Argentine, who scored six goals in a single Copa Libertadores game in May, is also regarded as one of the world’s most exciting young forwards.
Alvarez was the quickest to react to the rebound after Adrian saved Phil Foden’s first attempt and the goal was held up after a VAR assessment for offside.
Again, the intervention of the VAR was necessary to restore Liverpool’s lead seven minutes before the end.
Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot after a repeat of Nunez’ header coming back from Dias’ arm.
Salah was deadly as ever from 12 yards when he drilled into the bottom corner, despite Ederson heading in the right direction.
Nunez then put an end to any doubts about the result when he jumped an Andy Robertson header over the goal.
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But City’s miserable day didn’t end there as Haaland hit the crossbar with the goal gaping deep into stoppage time to keep the Norwegian superstar waiting to open his account in English football.
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
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