Sport

Liverpool defeat Man City to land 16th community shield title

Liverpool defeated Premier League champions Manchester City 3-1 in the Community Shield which was decided at the King Power stadium on Saturday.

It is Liverpool’s first Community Shield title since 2006 and their 16th in the history of the tie.

While for City it is now back-to-back defeats after they lost last year’s tie 1-0 to Leicester City.

Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez sealed the win for the Reds.

New signing Julian Alvarez got City’s goal to make it 1-1.

Liverpool went close on three minutes through Salah who jinked past Joao Cancelo but saw his shot hit the side-netting.

Kevin De Bruyne had City’s first effort on goal as he picked the ball in a dangerous position and unleashed a left-footed strike that deflected into the side netting.

In the 19th minute Salah’s quick thinking from a throw-in set Jordan Henderson away down the right but his cross towards Luiz Diaz was palmed away by Ederson.

Liverpool took the lead on 21 minutes thanks to Alexander-Arnold finished off Salah’s assist, which took a slight deflection off Nathan Ake, hit the post before rolling into the back of the net.

On 32 minutes Riyad Mahrez latched on to a long ball over the top from Ake, but Liverpool keeper Adrian got a strong right hand on his effort before the flag was raised for offside.

City came out with more purpose in the second half and were almost rewarded through Mahrez but his tame shot, after cutting back to his left foot inside the box was punched away by Adrian.

Substitute Nunez could have doubled Liverpool’s lead on 64 minutes after he was played through on goal by Henderson but Ederson raced out of his area to stop his effort.

In the 70th minute City equalized thanks to Julian Alvarez who pounced on a rebound after Phil Foden’s initial strike from De Bruyne’s cross was saved by Adrian.

The goal was initially ruled out for offside but the decision was overturned after consultation with VAR.

With 15 minutes left Bernardo Silva dribbled his way into the Liverpool box only to see his strike land on the roof of the net.

On 83 minutes Salah put Liverpool 2-1 up from the penalty spot after VAR adjudged Ruben Diaz to have stopped Nunez header with his hand.

just three minutes after Salah’s goal Nunez had a good chance to seal the won but his header from James Milner’s cross went just off target.

In the 94th minute Nunez got Liverpool’s third as he nodded past Ederson from range off Andy Robertson’s header back inside the dangerous area.

And in the 97th minute Erling Haaland failed to reduce the deficit as he saw his effort from close range hit the bar after Adrian stopped Foden’s strike.

Idoko Dennis

Idoko Dennis is a creative videographer/drone pilot and sport writer. He heads the sport desk and deputizes the head of Idoma TV

Recent Posts

Soaring rice prices threaten Christmas celebrations for Nigerian families

Rice, a staple for Christmas celebrations in Nigeria, has become a luxury this year. Soaring…

21 hours ago

Panic as Stage collapses during Odumodublvck’s performance at Lagos concert

Panic erupted on Saturday at a concert in Lagos when the stage collapsed during Odumodublvck’s…

22 hours ago

2025 Budget: FG allocates ₦6.36bn for renovation of Tinubu, Shettima’s official quarters

The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated ₦6,364,181,224 billion for the refurbishment and rehabilitation of…

22 hours ago

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 22nd December 2024

The black market dollar to naira exchange rate for today, 22nd December 2024, can be…

22 hours ago

NNPC debunks shutdown rumors, confirms fuel loading at Port Harcourt Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has refuted claims that the 60,000 barrels per…

22 hours ago

‘We have to find a way’ – Guardiola laments after defeat to Aston Villa

Manchester City finds itself in unprecedented turmoil, with relegation-level form showing little sign of improvement.…

23 hours ago