Liverpool look forward to the English Super Cup with determination and endless sadness

Just 75 days after Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy in a packed Anfield stands, the new season is very close. The 2025-2026 campaign of the defending champions will officially start at home against Bournemouth on August 15.

However, this weekend will be a clear test for the journey to defend the title, when they face Crystal Palace in theFA Community Shield match.

This is a tradition that is over a hundred years old, with the only match between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup champions taking place right before each season.

There has long been controversy over whether the English Super Cup deserves to be considered a major title. However, this match still offers the opportunity for the teams to sharpen their sharpness in a top-notch competitive environment, in front of nearly 90,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium.

Liverpool have won 16 times, while this will be the first time Crystal Palace have participated in this prestigious match. But will the 90 minutes at Wembley really reveal a lot about Liverpool's readiness for the new season?

Not participating in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has brought Liverpool a special summer. Coach Arne Slot and his students had the opportunity to enjoy a long break before entering the preparation stage for the new campaign.

On the pitch, the defending champions' pre-season went quite smoothly. They have won 5 out of 6 matches, scoring a total of 20 goals and conceding 9. The Kop's only defeat came in a friendly match against Serie A representative - AC Milan.

Slot's team successfully concluded their Asian tour, attracting a large audience in both Hong Kong (China) and Japan. Almost the entire squad had valuable minutes of play in the double friendly match against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield last Tuesday.

Liverpool have shown impressive play, with clear bright spots from the flexible possession style Slot has built. The defense still has details to improve, but despite significant changes in personnel compared to the championship squad last season, The Kop still maintain a clear identity.

Of course, off the pitch, Arne Slot and his students have faced an unpredictable challenge: the death of striker Diogo Jota in a car accident last month. Jota is not only an important star of Liverpool, but also a member loved by the whole team.

Throughout the summer, many memorial activities have been held and will almost certainly continue in the new season. The Reds have also taken measures to ensure all staff, from players to the backroom team, receive the necessary mental support to overcome this pain.

"If we want to laugh, laugh, if we want to cry, cry. If the players want to practice, just practice. If not, that's okay. But be yourself. Don't try to change what you say," Arne Slot told LFCTV last month.

Liverpool have handled this incident with caution and sensitivity, but the impact of Jota's departure will certainly leave a mark on the team's mind for a long time.