Manchester City Seal Another Trophy In Epic Battle Against Liverpool

Manchester City thump Liverpool to the Community shield and it was the narrowest of margins, via a penalty shootout in fact.

Call it a phoney war if you’d like but the Community shield just showed that Manchester City and Liverpool are in for another epic duel this season.

Only one point separated them in the league last term and there was nothing between them at the end of the ninety minutes until the dice rolled in City’s favour in the penalty shootout.

The Citizens took the lead in the early minutes of the game through Raheem Sterling and threatened to widen the gap but the Reds reeled in until Joel Matip’s header took them level.

However, between those two goals, there were a lot to please and worry each of the managers.

Both Sterling and Salah hit the upright while it took some marvelous clearance from Kyle Walker to ensure that the game proceeded to penalties.

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Manchester City as usual pressed Liverpool and when pegged back tried to gain in fast on the Reds defence through the pace of Raheem Sterling who mildly put was wasteful in front of goal.

Liverpool on the other hand tried pushing for goal but were limited to using Salah’s flank as against Mane’s who was absent for the game and replaced by Origi.

Salah continuously marauded through the defence, giving Zinchenko a lot to worry about but lacked the finesse to tuck it into goal.

With the pressure on Liverpool, Klopp made a series of changes including replacing right-back Alexander-Arnold with Joel Matip.

The latter eventually registered on the scoresheet when Van Dijk sent an inch perfect pass his way.

Liverpool took a freekick which landed in the box but some tussle for the ball left the ball in position for Van Dijk to make a cross that would eventually level things up.

Both sides searched for a goal but Liverpool had the fairest of chances yet couldn’t make any of it.

The game proceeded to penalties and Wijnaldum had his spot kick saved by Claudio Bravo before Gabriel Jesus sealed things up for Manchester City.

Another trophy for the Citizens and Pep Guardiola.

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