Match Previews

country flag Community Shield Round Final
Sat 29 August 2020 16:30
Referee
Andre Marriner
Weather at KO
weather icon Overcast  14oC | Precip: 0% (0 mm) | Wind 6 m/s
Draw Format
PKs
Travel Info Arsenal
1/2 hour coach
Distance
21 KM
Venue
No Fans, Neutral
Travel Info Liverpool
1/2 hour plane
Distance
275 KM

Arsenal

Last updated: Sat 29 August 2020 19:14
In Brief

Yet to be revealed how many, if any, regulars will be used in this game. Only new signing so far experienced Willian. Mustafi and 3 others sidelined.

Looking Back

Arsenal lifted FA Cup less than a month ago and with such short period between seasons it’s no surprise that Gunners opted out of going abroad for training camp. Also as things stand at start of this week more than half of their regulars remain away on their deserved holidays.

Only friendly before this match played on Tuesday with Gunners beating MK Dons 4:1 in game that saw tons of teenagers given the chance. Still likes of Leno, Tierney, Aubameyang and Xhaka were involved.

Looking Ahead

Coach Arteta should have his entire squad back training come Saturday, but this doesn’t mean he will be selecting his best players as team had just 2 training sessions and 1 friendly to prepare for this match. Willian and Lacazette confirmed as non-starters.

New winger Willian could make his debut though, with Nketiah also expected to lead attack as he started vs. MK Dons on Tuesday.

Mustafi and 3 others are still sidelined.

Points of Interest

Very successful in Community Shield appearances, involved in 5 of 19 such games in XXI century and lifted trophy on 4 occasions.

Manager Comments

on what sort of shape his squad are in... "We've had two training sessions so you can imagine that this game comes straight in the middle of our mini pre-season, but as well we haven't had much time to lose a lot of the condition. Obviously it's not an ideal moment to play in this final but the players are motivated. Obviously it's another opportunity to win a trophy and we will go for it."

Liverpool

Last updated: Sat 29 August 2020 19:14
In Brief

Yet to reveal how many, if any, regulars will be involved in this match. Oxlade-Chamberlain, captain Henderson and 4 others set to miss. Alexander-Arnold faces late fitness test. Only new signing so far left-back Tsimikas.

Looking Back

Liverpool managed to go on 14-day training camp in Austria and even played 3 friendlies while there. Last one on Tuesday saw Reds coming from 0:2 down to draw 2:2 vs. Salzburg. Brewster scored both goals late on and he impressed during this training camp with 3 goals and 1 assist.

Klopp trusted 7-8 regulars from the off in each of the friendlies in Austria suggesting that similar number of top players would start this Community Shield match.

Looking Ahead

Coach Klopp saw Oxlade-Chamberlain picking up knee injury in training while in Austria and he is absent now. Also captain Henderson and 4 others missed training camp due to extended holiday or minor niggles and none of them will feature either. Alexander-Arnold stayed back home for family reasons too, but if he proves his fitness he could make at least bench.

The Fab Three started 2 of 3 friendlies suggesting that they will be involved from the off again. Brewster’s strong displays in Austria likely to earn him at least appearance off bench though.

Points of Interest

This only third appearance in Community Shield in last 20 years, last summer lost vs. Man City on penalties, while way back in 2005 beat Chelsea 2:1.

Manager Comments

After 14-day training camp in Austria: “We land on Tuesday night, Wednesday we will be off and then from Thursday onwards it will be pure preparation for Arsenal with two sessions,”

“After Arsenal, a lot of our players will go to the international games, so they have to play there then for their countries, so they now need proper training. The weekend will be tricky, but we will be as ready as possible.”

“All the boys which were not involved so far or got slight knocks in pre-season will not be available for tomorrow, but [they are] getting closer,"

Doubtful (chance of availability)
  • ---
Rested
  • ---
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Transfer in
  • Willian (mid) Chelsea; Pablo Mari (def) Flamengo – loan made permanent; Cedric Soares (def) Southampton – loan made permanent; William Saliba (def) Saint-Etienne – end of loan; Mohamed Elneny (mid) Besiktas – end of loan; Henrikh Mkhitaryan (mid) Roma – end of loan;
Transfer out
  • Dani Ceballos (r) (mid) Real Madrid – end of loan;
Transfer in
  • Konstantinos Tsimikas (def) Olympiacos; Loris Karius (gk) Besiktas – end of loan; Marko Grujic (mid) Hertha Berlin – end of loan; Harry Wilson (mid) Bournemouth – end of loan; Sheyi Ojo (mid) Rangers – end of loan; Ben Woodburn (mid) Oxford United – end of loan; Ovie Ejaria (mid) Reading – end of loan; Taiwo Awoniyi (att) Mainz 05 – end of loan;
Transfer out
  • Dejan Lovren (sp) (def) Zenit; Adam Lallana (sp) (mid) Brighton; Andy Lonergan (gk) released; Nathaniel Clyne (def) released;
Transfer in
  • Willian (mid) Chelsea; Pablo Mari (def) Flamengo – loan made permanent; Cedric Soares (def) Southampton – loan made permanent; William Saliba (def) Saint-Etienne – end of loan; Mohamed Elneny (mid) Besiktas – end of loan; Henrikh Mkhitaryan (mid) Roma – end of loan;
Transfer out
  • Dani Ceballos (r) (mid) Real Madrid – end of loan;

Liverpool

Last updated: Sat 29 August 2020 19:14
In Brief

Yet to reveal how many, if any, regulars will be involved in this match. Oxlade-Chamberlain, captain Henderson and 4 others set to miss. Alexander-Arnold faces late fitness test. Only new signing so far left-back Tsimikas.

Looking Back

Liverpool managed to go on 14-day training camp in Austria and even played 3 friendlies while there. Last one on Tuesday saw Reds coming from 0:2 down to draw 2:2 vs. Salzburg. Brewster scored both goals late on and he impressed during this training camp with 3 goals and 1 assist.

Klopp trusted 7-8 regulars from the off in each of the friendlies in Austria suggesting that similar number of top players would start this Community Shield match.

Looking Ahead

Coach Klopp saw Oxlade-Chamberlain picking up knee injury in training while in Austria and he is absent now. Also captain Henderson and 4 others missed training camp due to extended holiday or minor niggles and none of them will feature either. Alexander-Arnold stayed back home for family reasons too, but if he proves his fitness he could make at least bench.

The Fab Three started 2 of 3 friendlies suggesting that they will be involved from the off again. Brewster’s strong displays in Austria likely to earn him at least appearance off bench though.

Points of Interest

This only third appearance in Community Shield in last 20 years, last summer lost vs. Man City on penalties, while way back in 2005 beat Chelsea 2:1.

Manager Comments

After 14-day training camp in Austria: “We land on Tuesday night, Wednesday we will be off and then from Thursday onwards it will be pure preparation for Arsenal with two sessions,”

“After Arsenal, a lot of our players will go to the international games, so they have to play there then for their countries, so they now need proper training. The weekend will be tricky, but we will be as ready as possible.”

“All the boys which were not involved so far or got slight knocks in pre-season will not be available for tomorrow, but [they are] getting closer,"

Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Transfer in
  • Konstantinos Tsimikas (def) Olympiacos; Loris Karius (gk) Besiktas – end of loan; Marko Grujic (mid) Hertha Berlin – end of loan; Harry Wilson (mid) Bournemouth – end of loan; Sheyi Ojo (mid) Rangers – end of loan; Ben Woodburn (mid) Oxford United – end of loan; Ovie Ejaria (mid) Reading – end of loan; Taiwo Awoniyi (att) Mainz 05 – end of loan;
Transfer out
  • Dejan Lovren (sp) (def) Zenit; Adam Lallana (sp) (mid) Brighton; Andy Lonergan (gk) released; Nathaniel Clyne (def) released;

Key

Key players
Regular players
Support players
75% - Chance of availability
Artificial Pitch
Universal Player Grid
Squad Confirmed
Played in Cup fixture
New Information

Team Strength*

Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Just Adequate
Poor
*Based on Available Players
Game Score
Round Final
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1
(5 : 4 AP)