Liverpool and Crystal Palace Set for Wembley Showdown in 2025 Community Shield

It is a curious tradition, the Community Shield. Half curtain-raiser, half ceremonial flourish, it’s the moment when football’s narrative resumes—not quite with a bang, but certainly with a sense of theatre. On Sunday, Liverpool and Crystal Palace will meet at Wembley, not just to contest silverware, but to hint at what lies ahead in the season to come.

This isn’t a fixture built on old rivalries or familiar patterns. Crystal Palace, the FA Cup holders, are appearing in the Community Shield for the very first time. Liverpool, in contrast, know this ground and this occasion well—this will be their 25th appearance in the event. They’ve won it 16 times, including that 3-1 triumph over Manchester City in 2022.

Kick-off Time, Broadcast Info and How to Follow

The match kicks off at 3pm BST and will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK. Fans overseas should check their regional broadcasters.

For those closer to the club’s heartbeat, Matchday Live begins at 2pm via LFCTV and All Red Video, providing build-up, audio commentary, and post-match analysis straight from Wembley. The Match Centre on Liverpool’s official site goes live from 12pm BST with updates, photos, and reaction.

Substitutes, Officials and Penalties

There’ll be no extra-time at Wembley—if things remain level after 90 minutes, it goes straight to penalties. Both teams may name nine substitutes, with a maximum of six permitted to play.

Chris Kavanagh takes charge of the game, assisted by James Mainwaring and Wade Smith. VAR duties fall to Paul Tierney, with Nick Hopton assisting.

More Than a Friendly

Though often dismissed as a glorified friendly, the Community Shield remains a compelling fixture in its own right. For Crystal Palace, it is uncharted ground. For Liverpool, it is a familiar setting, steeped in expectation. That blend of novelty and nostalgia gives Sunday’s encounter a quiet intrigue—before the real storm of the Premier League begins.