Liverpool drew first blood against Manchester City ahead of the new Premier League season as Darwin Nunez made an instant impact for Jurgen Klopp’s men to win the Community Shield 3-1.
In a tale of two big summer signings, Núñez came off the bench to win a penalty and score his first goal since a A$109m move from Benfica, while Erling Haaland made his debut in City to forget.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal gave Liverpool a deserved half-time lead at Leicester.
But it was City’s other new striker who brought Pep Guardiola’s men back into the game after the break when Julian Alvarez equalised.
Tying down Mohamed Salah to a new three-year deal was the other big piece of Liverpool’s summer deal and the Egyptian was deadly from the penalty spot after Nunez’s header was handled by Rubén Dias.
The Uruguayan then got his own moment of glory by stooping to head home in stoppage time before taking off his shirt in celebration.
With the win, Liverpool won the traditional season curtain-raiser for the first time since 2006 and put an early marker in what is expected to be another battle between the teams for the Premier League title.
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City held off the Reds to win the Premier League for the fourth time in five years by a point in a thrilling finale last season.
Guardiola’s men had to come from 2-0 down on the last day of the campaign to beat Aston Villa and were once again guilty of a slow start.
Salah was the provider of the first goal when he placed Thiago Alcantara’s cross on the edge of the box and Alexander-Arnold crashed the post with the help of a slight deflection from Dias.
City had played just two pre-season friendlies against Liverpool’s four and took half an hour to find their feet.
Haaland was denied by substitute Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian with his first sight of goal.
However, the Norwegian should have opened his City account moments later as he failed to connect properly with Joao Cancelo’s cross.
Núñez had his chance to shine on the hour mark, but blew his first big chance when Ederson prevailed in a one-on-one.
Darwin Núñez got on the scoreboard with Liverpool’s third goal. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
At the other end, City’s new South American striker also started his career in England.
Alvarez’s arrival at the Etihad has flown under the radar in the hype surrounding Haaland.
But the Argentine, who scored six goals in a Copa Libertadores match in May, is also regarded as one of the world’s most exciting young strikers.
Alvarez reacted quicker to the rebound after Adrian saved Phil Foden’s initial effort and the goal stood after a VAR review for offside.
It took another VAR intervention once again for Liverpool to regain their lead with seven minutes remaining.
Referee Craig Pawson called the spot after seeing a replay of Nunez’s header coming back off Dias’ arm.
Salah was as deadly as ever from 12 yards when he drilled into the bottom corner despite Ederson going the right way.
Núñez ended any doubt about the result when he pounced on Andy Robertson’s header across goal.
But City’s miserable day didn’t end there as Haaland hit the crossbar with an open goal in stoppage time to keep the Norwegian superstar alive as he waited to open his account in English football.