Key events
Liverpool v Crystal Palace, then. A Community Shield which represents a battle between the summer haves versus the have-nots?
Because while runaway Premier League winners Liverpool have been chasing Alexander Isak, as well as snapping up Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike this summer, the Eagles haven’t been doing very much at all. That’s unless you count the signings of backup keeper Walter Benítez and left-back Borna Sosa as something.
The job Oliver Glasner did to inspire Palace to FA Cup glory last season shouldn’t be underestimated. But after a tough summer disrupted by the uncertainty over which European competition they’ll play in this season, it seems unlikely that they’ll replicate that triumph this term. Just holding on to Eberechi Eze looks to be a struggle and Palace are huge underdogs today, that’s for sure.
I’ll run you through the Guardian’s Community Shield preview reading offerings in my next post.
Away from yesterday’s action, Eddie Howe has admitted Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle is out of his hands amid ongoing interest from Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s side will take to the field at Wembley today with the shadow of the Isak saga still lurking, despite the fact a raft of new summer signings will be on show against Crystal Palace.
On Isak, Howe said: “That’s a decision that I won’t make, that will be for other people to make.”
Newcastle have rejected a Liverpool £110m offer for Isak, who has three years remaining on his contract, but his situation remains shrouded in uncertainty as the Magpies’ Premier League opener at Aston Villa approaches.
Let’s start with that Rangers reaction …
Russell Martin has told frustrated Grs fans there is “no quick fix” after his side dropped another two points with a 1-1 home draw against Dundee – which was secured via a James Tavernier penalty in added time.
Martin said: “Every club I have been at, it’s a bit of pain and when you get through that pain, it’s so worth it. I don’t think I expected anything less coming here, it’s not going to be a quick fix. This club has not had success for a long, long time. I’ve been asked about the supporters’ reaction and I just don’t have a problem because I understand it.”
Read more via the link below.
Preamble
I guess we’re now officially back? The Championship season is under way, we’ve already had a couple of weeks of the EFL and today’s Community Shield between Liverpool and Crystal Palace will confirm that we are, indeed, so back.
Bristol City’s drubbing of Sheffield United and Southampton’s late surge to stun Wrexham were the highlights of the second tier stuff yesterday, with attention now turning the other (far more) beleaguered Steel City club. Sheffield Wednesday travel to recently-relegated Leicester later, just glad they have a fixture to play and a team to play it.
There’s also Scottish Premiership action today and we’ll have some reaction to Rangers’ second successive league draw under new boss Russell Martin. Celtic go to Aberdeen in the Sunday lunchtime kickoff.
As always on these Matchday Live blogs, we encourage you to get in touch with your thoughts, previews and predictions plus we’ll have some insight from our team of intrepid reporters bringing you the latest from Football Land, now that we’ve landed once more.
