Liverpool vs Man City – Community Shield: Live Score, Team News & Updates

On that thrilling proof, we’re set for another epic title run – and one that could have a different outcome in May.

Manchester City, champions in four of the last five years, have not lacked class at King Power, but even their magicians have been unequivocally crushed by Jurgen Klopp’s trophy machines.

It was the third piece of silverware raised by Liverpool in 2022 and completed their manager’s collection of domestic awards.

Yes, the Community Shield is just a seasonal curtain raiser, but the intensity and quality shown suggest the Merseysiders will start running, starting at Fulham next weekend.

After all the hype surrounding the two glamorous new strikers, the competition between them wasn’t even close.

City golden boy Erling Haaland was started by Pep Guardiola and tested Virgil van Dijk in the first half before disappearing. In the end, he looked puzzled and somehow hit the crossbar from five yards when he should have scored easily.

In contrast, £85million Darwin Nunez was first benched by Klopp but ended up becoming the hero.

He terrorized City with his looks when he arrived after 58 minutes. He won a penalty, perhaps deserved another, and was brilliantly foiled by Ederson before sealing Liverpool’s victory with a bowed header.

As Leicester Stadium’s ‘Kop End’ was engulfed in red smoke during a full-time celebration, team-mate Andy Robertson joked: ‘Not bad considering what people have said about him’, – a reference to those who don’t see Nunez as a replacement for Sadio Mane.

City won’t panic, but the other 20 Premier League clubs should. These two teams finished 18 points ahead of the others last season and the gap does not seem close to closing.

Liverpool were sharper in the first half, which befits the fact that they have played four pre-season games compared to City’s two.

The only goal in the first 45 minutes was a beauty. Thiago and Luis Diaz fed Mo Salah whose tap on Trent Alexander-Arnold at the edge of the box prompted the defender to hit a rising first shot over Nathan Ake, Ederson and into the corner.

At the other end, Haaland had a few snorts but was denied by a block from Virgil van Dijk and a parry from Adrian, playing his first game in the Liverpool goal for nine months.

City were better after the break but panicked once Nunez replaced Roberto Firmino. Ederson stopped his first one-on-one by hitting Nunez, on the second occasion he made a big save.

Phil Foden was more efficient than the player he replaced, Jack Grealish. And it was his quick thinking that led to a first equalizer for City’s other debutant, Julian Alvarez, after 70 minutes.

Adrian parried Foden’s volley but as he tried to get both hands on the loose ball, Foden grabbed onto Alvarez for a Sergio Aguero-like finish.

At first the goal was not given for offside, but a lengthy VAR check decided everyone was legal when Kevin De Bruyne initially crossed for Foden.

The technology returned, this time to help Liverpool, 13 minutes later. City skipper Ruben Dias had his arm outstretched when Nunez’s head hit. Referee Craig Pawson ruled it accidental, but was persuaded to go to the monitor and changed his mind.

Mo Salah, who looked much better than last season, hid the penalty with nonchalant ease.

With Liverpool 2-1 ahead, the added-time final was all about the centre-forwards.

Nunez, who had suffered a knock on the ankle from Nathan Ake, showed he was made of tough things by continuing to run his errands, and got his reward when Robertson’s header through goal fell on his own forehead.

The game was over but Haaland’s misfortune was not. Foden set up the Norwegian for mere consolation and he inflated his lines.

Guardiola said he wasn’t bothered. “Next time he will put it in the net, so what’s the problem,” the City boss shrugged.

“I’m not worried he will score. He fought hard today and made some good moves. It’s a good way to see the reality of English football. He is mentally strong.

Klopp admitted that scoring in a major game so quickly in his Liverpool career will help Nunez.

“You know strikers are a special species. Everyone needs positives and I think Darwin’s face when he scored shows how happy he was. I think he would have been fine without scoring because he had already won us a penalty but that was the icing on the cake.

“It’s a joke how quickly everyone is judged in this world, but that’s the way it is.”

Worried about the competition, Klopp believes there is more to come from his players. “Neither team was 100 per cent in terms of usual fitness, but we were closer to full fitness than at this point in previous years.

“I think the match was a good watch. Darwin had an impact and the things we can improve on, I’m delighted.

With all the glamorous newcomers taking center stage, Salah was a timely reminder that he himself remains a hot property.

Knocked out late last season in the Champions League final, the Egyptian king looked fresh and energetic after signing a new long-term contract.

He tormented City left-back Joao Cancelo at times, twisting him inside out into a single attack before hitting the side netting.

Guardiola has left £45m England midfielder Kalvin Phillips on the bench, suggesting he has a long way to go if he is to take Rodri’s starting spot.

The crafty Klopp has been smart to launch Roberto Firmino up front with the Brazilian having Juventus among his suitors if he feels he won’t be playing enough football this season.

Follow Sportsmail’s live blog for the Community Shield clash between Liverpool and Manchester City at the King Power Stadium.