Palace face Liverpool in Community Shield

Analysing Crystal Palace's likely starting XI for the Community Shield against Liverpool and the implications of Eberechi Eze's transfer links.

Palace name predicted XI for Community Shield with Eze in focus

Crystal Palace head to Wembley hoping to carry momentum from their FA Cup final win into the Community Shield against Liverpool. The predicted starting XI includes Dean Henderson in goal, a back three of Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix, and Chris Richards, with Tyreek Mitchell at left wing-back and Daniel Munoz on the right. Adam Wharton partners Daichi Kamada in midfield, while Mateta leads the line with Eberechi Eze supporting him on the left and Ismaila Sarr on the right. Eddie Nketiah is unavailable due to a pre-season injury, adding a note of caution for Palace's attackers.

Oliver Glasner has made clear he will not treat the Shield as a mere warm-up and wants to turn Cup success into sustained improvement for the new season. The lineup hints at a compact defensive unit with width from the wing-backs and an attack built around Mateta with Eze providing creativity. Eze's possible departure this summer adds uncertainty to Palace's selection and planning as they prepare for a busy start to the campaign.

Palace's preferred shape suggests a flexible 3-4-3 with wing-backs offering balance and pace. The real test will be whether Eze stays or moves, because the attack still leans on his spark and Kamada's creativity to unlock compact Premier League defenses. The match at Wembley is as much about signaling intent as it is about lifting a trophy. If the Shield win translates to momentum for the league, Glasner will have proved a broader point about a club in transition. If not, the questions about squad depth and long-term strategy will deepen ahead of a crowded schedule.

Highlights

The season will test Palace's balance between ambition and uncertainty.