Marc Guehi gets Liverpool audition and 3 more things to look out for in Community Shield

The 2025/26 season officially begins on Sunday for Liverpool as Arne Slot's side goes in search of the first piece of silverware in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.

The traditional curtain-raiser of course pits the Premier League champions against the FA Cup winners at Wembley, with the Reds looking to send an early message to their rivals ahead of the start of their title defense.

Palace will provide a stern test, with Oliver Glasner's side proving to be a force on its way to a first major trophy last season, but after a big summer in the transfer market, and with some major deals potentially still around the corner, Liverpool will be aiming to show it's ready for more success this season.

Liverpool.com has picked out four things to keep an eye out for during Sunday's game at Wembley, including a potential transfer audition.

Liverpool's best team

The Community Shield isn't by any means a yardstick for how the rest of the new season will pan out, but it is the first competitive game of the campaign, and as such, it's a first opportunity to find out just what a coach might see as his best team.

We've already had a slight glimpse of that, with the XI that lined up for the second game against Athletic Club on Monday likely to be close to Slot's preferred team, perhaps with one or two adjustments.

For starters, expect Virgil van Dijk to return in defense after his bout of illness, and Alisson Becker is likely to be back after returning to Brazil before the end of the tour of Asia.

There are also one or two questions to answer in midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch available on Sunday, but not for Friday's Premier League opener against Bournemouth. That, and Alexis Mac Allister's fitness, will no doubt come into the Liverpool boss' thinking as he gives his clearest indication yet of what to expect this season.

All eyes on Guehi

Alexander Isak might be dominating the headlines, but Liverpool also needs to find a new center-back, and there might be one auditioning for a spot in Slot's side on Sunday.

Marc Guehi has been linked with a move to Anfield for some time now, and he is the most prominent name when it comes to potential new defenders for the Reds. Whether a move will be made before the window closes this summer though remains to be seen.

With just a year remaining on his contract, there will be a temptation from Liverpool to wait until next summer in order to get him for free. The Reds are definitely in need of another option at the back right now though, and you can guarantee there will be plenty of eyes on Guehi on Sunday.

If he can keep the likes of Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz quiet, perhaps Liverpool will decide it can't wait a year for his services.

Ekitike's chance

One man who will hope Guehi doesn't catch the eye too much will be Hugo Ekitike.

As the Isak saga continues, it might be easy to forget that Liverpool has already gone big on a new striker this summer, and after an encouraging first appearance at Anfield, now is his chance to really show what he can do.

With Darwin Nunez's exit now confirmed, Ekitike is undoubtedly the No.1 striker for Liverpool right now, and what a way it would be to announce yourself to your new surroundings with a goal at Wembley.

Wirtz out to prove a point

Anyone who has seen Florian Wirtz in action this summer will have been quietly impressed by Liverpool's new record signing. While he hasn't quite blown anyone away yet, there have been signs that the Reds have their hands on something special.

Of course, that isn't enough in the world of modern fandom for rival supporters, who have taken every chance possible so far to belittle his performances, and already suggest Liverpool has wasted its money.

Those that have actually watched him will know that he has offered a lot more than the stats might suggest, but there is maybe no better stage to answer his critics than on his competitive debut at Wembley to help his new club to a first piece of silverware of the season.

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