Liverpool edge closer to the new season

A close look at Liverpool after their Community Shield showing and the mix of youth and new signings shaping the season.

Ngumoha praises Ekitike after Liverpool debut goal

Liverpool opened their 2025/26 season with the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley. The match finished 2-2 in normal time and went to penalties. Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring after a smart link up with Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong added a second with a sharp finish from a tight angle. Palace hit back through Ismaila Sarr after Virgil van Dijk was penalised for a foul, and Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a late penalty to keep the game level.

Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool’s rising teenager, publicly congratulated Ekitike on Instagram after the game, becoming one of a handful of teammates to acknowledge the debut. Ekitike is one of four senior attackers at Anfield following the exits of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, with Federico Chiesa’s future still unresolved and Ngumoha still only 16. Liverpool begin the Premier League season by hosting Bournemouth on Friday, before trips to Newcastle United and a home clash with Arsenal.

The result offers a window into how Liverpool plan to balance youth development with new signings. Ekitike’s early goal shows the club can push pace and creativity up front even as the squad reshapes after summer departures. Ngumoha’s public show of support signals a culture of forward momentum and team camaraderie, which can matter in a season expected to test squad depth. The mix of young promise and veteran signings will likely shape rotation choices early, with Chiesa’s status adding another layer of decision making for the coaching staff.

On the field, the forward line looks crowded but flexible. If injuries or form tilt, players like Ngumoha could gain more minutes as Liverpool seek to maintain intensity across fixtures while integrating new signings into a coherent attacking plan.

Highlights

The season will reveal how well the balance between youth promise and first-team experience holds under pressure.