FA Cup winners Crystal Palace upset Premier League champions Liverpool in English season opening Group Protect.
Crystal Palace twice got here from behind to stun a new-look Liverpool and win the FA Group Protect for the primary time on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Wembley.
New signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scored for the Premier League champions, however Palace responded by means of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr earlier than successful an error-strewn shootout 3-2 on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah blazed over from the spot, whereas Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott had been denied by an impressed Dean Henderson as Palace constructed on successful their first ever main trophy by beating Manchester Metropolis in Could’s FA Cup ultimate.
The normal curtain-raiser to the English soccer season was given further significance after a summer time marked by tragedy for Liverpool.
Ahead Diogo Jota was killed in a automotive accident alongside his brother Andre Silva.
Reds legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish laid wreaths on the facet of the pitch earlier than kickoff, whereas the Liverpool finish was awash with banners and flags paying tribute to the Portuguese worldwide.
A minute’s silence, nonetheless, needed to be reduce quick attributable to disturbances within the crowd.
Jota’s loss of life has dampened the joy over Liverpool’s switch spending spree to construct on a squad that romped to a record-equalling twentieth league title final season.
All 4 of their new signings at a price of 260 million kilos ($350m) – Ekitike, Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez – began.
Ekitike’s position this season might depend upon whether or not Liverpool are profitable of their pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
However the Frenchman – signed from Eintracht Frankfurt final month for an preliminary 69 million kilos ($93m) – made his case to be Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot’s most well-liked quantity 9, no hurt in any respect.
Wirtz additionally bagged his first help for the Reds when Ekitike spun onto the German’s cross and fired into the far nook in simply the fourth minute.
Palace had been making their first-ever look within the fixture, however the Eagles once more confirmed their capability to match one of many Premier League’s giants over 90 minutes.
Mateta missed a wonderful probability to degree when he didn’t beat Alisson Becker one-on-one.
However from the rebound Sarr charged into the field and was tripped by an out-of-sorts Virgil van Dijk.
Mateta coolly despatched Alisson the improper means from the penalty spot to equalise.
Liverpool’s gamers had been sporting a “Ceaselessly 20” emblem, referencing Jota’s now-retired shirt quantity, that they are going to put on all season.
The Liverpool followers had risen to chant Jota’s identify as the sport entered the twentieth minute when their facet retook the lead.
Frimpong’s chipped cross caught out Henderson and flew into the far nook.
Ekitike wasted an excellent probability for his second early within the second half from one other Wirtz cross, as this time he fired over.
Nonetheless, Slot’s new-look facet are nonetheless to search out the precise stability between assault and defence, as has been evidenced throughout pre-season.
Palace had been a relentless risk with balls in behind the Reds defence and levelled once more 13 minutes from time.
Sarr sped onto Adam Wharton’s by means of ball and calmly slotted previous Alisson for his fourth purpose in seven video games towards Liverpool.
Liverpool additionally survived a VAR evaluate for a penalty towards Mac Allister for handball earlier than the match went to a shootout with out further time.
Teen Justin Devenny was the unlikely hero as he blasted the successful spot kick excessive previous Alisson, exhibiting Salah, Mac Allister and Elliott how it’s completed.
