The 2025 Community Shield will be remembered as a fiercely contested match, where Crystal Palace stunned Liverpool in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regular time. Despite Liverpool’s strong start, including an early goal from Hugo Ekitiké, Mohamed Salah’s performance was lackluster and fell short of expectations.
Liverpool appeared dominant in possession and shots on goal, but their collective effort was not enough to overcome the resilience and determination of the Eagles. Salah, although starting, struggled to make an impact on the defense. His offensive contribution was limited, culminating in a yellow card at the 87th minute and a missed penalty in the shootout that ultimately contributed to Liverpool’s defeat.
This match raises questions about Salah’s current form. Despite his illustrious past at Liverpool, he seems less decisive in key moments. On the other hand, Crystal Palace can celebrate a historic triumph, led by a combative squad and goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who was the hero in the penalty shootout.
For Liverpool, this Community Shield loss is a warning ahead of the season. They will need to regain offensive efficiency and stronger leadership from key players like Mohamed Salah to compete for new titles.
