Crystal Palace Triumph Liverpool on Penalties to Claim First Community Shield

Crystal Palace stunned Premier League champions, Liverpool to lift the Community Shield for the first time in their history, winning 3–2 on penalties after a dramatic 2–2 draw at Wembley.

Liverpool’s high-profile summer signings made an immediate impact, with Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong each finding the net. But Palace twice fought back, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr striking to level the game before Dean Henderson’s heroics in the shootout sealed the win.

The penalty contest proved costly for Liverpool as Mohamed Salah fired over the bar, while Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott were both denied by Henderson. Palace, still riding high from their historic FA Cup triumph over Manchester City in May, held their nerve to secure back-to-back major silverware.

The match carried emotional weight for Liverpool after the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota in a car accident alongside his brother, Andre Silva, earlier this summer. Before kick-off, club legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish laid wreaths at the side of the pitch, with Anfield fans filling their end with banners and flags in tribute to the Portuguese striker.

A planned minute’s silence was cut short following disturbances in the crowd.

Liverpool’s £260 million spending spree — bringing in Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez — was on full display, with all four new signings starting.

Yet despite flashes of brilliance,Arne Slot’s side failed to break down a resilient Palace outfit in the decisive moments.

For Palace, the victory marks another chapter in what is rapidly becoming the most successful era in the club’s history, with manager Oliver Glasner’s men now holders of both the FA Cup and the Community Shield.