Liverpool fell to a 5-4 defeat on penalties against Man City in the Community Shield, but fans felt there were still a lot of positives to take from the game.
Liverpool 1-1 Man City (4-5 on pens)
Community Shield, Wembley
August 4, 2019
Goals: Matip 77′; Sterling 12′
The Reds’ first sight of silverware this season awaited at Wembley, where Jurgen Klopp fielded his strongest possible side ahead of the league opener on Friday.
Liverpool found themselves behind on the scoreboard early in proceedings through a familiar face in Raheem Sterling, with the Reds struggling to find their rhythm in the first half.
Klopp’s side emerged from the interval the much better side, however, and after both Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah hit the post, Joel Matip was the one to get them back on level terms after nodding home from close range through an expertly worked set-piece.
Despite having a multitude of chances to seal the win in 90 minutes the game was decided by a penalty shootout, with Gini Wijnaldum the only player to see his effort saved to hand City the victory.
Here’s how fans reacted to the result on Twitter, Facebook and on the This Is Anfield forums.
Bobby & Mo were lauded after hitting the ground running…
jesus Bobby it's still preseason
— oh you beauty (@natefc) August 4, 2019
Bobby is a beast!
— Erin Mc (@ErinNYC75) August 4, 2019
Salah and Firmino look the sharpest and have had no pre-season. Rest of them need to get a grip.
— Steven (@UTFR92) August 4, 2019
“Jesus Bobby’s ball control is unreal.”
– Joe Gomez x on the forums.
Salah could already have had a hat trick here at Wembley, but still looks on it. Seems stronger on ball, and confidence is clearly not an issue, if that backheel nutmeg anything to go by…?? #LFC
— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) August 4, 2019
Have a feeling Salah’s gonna have an unreal season this year
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) August 4, 2019
Next time we are lauding the effort of Robbo or Bobby, I’d like a little moment for Mo Salah and his ridiculous rate of availability, to go with his ridiculous ability
— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) August 4, 2019
After a poor first half the Reds responded emphatically in the second…
What an awesome second half performance this has been from Liverpool. Played some excellent stuff.
— Jack Sear (@JackSear) August 4, 2019
That Van Dijk/Matip combo ?
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) August 4, 2019
Best centre-back link up since Lovren and Klavan at Burnley.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) August 4, 2019
“It was coming…def the better team second half.”
– theres always tommorrow on the forums.
Liverpool might still be quite good at football again. More as we get it.
— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) August 4, 2019
Absolutely no less than #LFC deserved. They have dominated this half.
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) August 4, 2019
Although the sight of goal-line clearances from City is becoming too much to bear…
A familiar sight this! pic.twitter.com/sJUlecdL0c
— Jack Lusby (@jacklusby_) August 4, 2019
Had enough of Manchester City and goal line clearances to be honest.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) August 4, 2019
Fed up of Man City and goal line clearances tbh.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) August 4, 2019
I am so sick of city defenders and their goal line clearances
— matt castorina (@mattcastorina) August 4, 2019
I don't like goal lines anymore. End of
— Aditya Rane (@adiji) August 4, 2019
Many felt the Reds should have prevailed in the 90, but optimism remained high…
Shame about the pens but loads of positives and our end sounded great, proving it is possible at Wembley. Salah gonna get 40 this season
— John Gibbons (@johngibbonsblog) August 4, 2019
“Deserved to win but didn’t oh well let them have this ONE. We’ll take the next 6 trophies.”
– MarlboroMan on the forums.
penalties are dumb. Liverpool did okay after 15 minutes and really well after 45. should've scored loads more: two off the line, two off the woodwork, etc. so yeah penalties are dumb and sports are dumb. welcome back, football.
— oh you beauty (@natefc) August 4, 2019
City about as lucky as you can get today. Played well 1st half but on chances was fairly equal. 2nd half they were totally mullered, looked like City vs Watford. But City win on penalties, as most of LFC's penalty takers not on the pitch. Reds laid down big marker with 2nd half
— Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) August 4, 2019
Really dramatic game in the end that saw Liverpool improve significantly in the second half: says a lot about the fitness work Klopp has been overseeing this summer.
Not bothered with the loss, this game just shows how special the title race can be again this season.
— Jack Lusby (@jacklusby_) August 4, 2019
Well that sets up the season nicely, the positives Liverpool absolutely battered City in the second half.
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) August 4, 2019
LFC could and should have won it in that second half. Missed opportunity but quality of play very encouraging.
— Paul Grech (@paul_grech) August 4, 2019
An outstanding second half performance which makes the defeat more difficult to take. We may not be good at penalty shootouts but we are still bloody good at football.
Up the Reds and we go again on Friday! ?
— Jack Gill ???? (@jacklfcgill) August 4, 2019
Bring on Norwich. Proper footie on Friday. Can’t wait.
— Gareth Roberts (@robbohuyton) August 4, 2019
Fan Comments