The most important thing about the Community Shield is to just play in it.
Over 40 years after Bob Paisley’s joke, understanding the great man’s logic is not difficult.
Participating in the traditional curtain up for the season simply means that the previous campaign has been successful as a FA Cup or League winner.
Twelve months ago, however, the Reds were only there as a plus-one.
Because of Manchester City’s dominance, they’ve soaked all three trophies en route to a historic triple under Pep Guardiola.
Jürgen Klopp and his team were of course European champions at Wembley, but only thanks to their second place in the Premier League.
This time it is clearly different.
Liverpool will be on the field against Arsenal on Saturday night as the undisputed dominant force of English football.
In a season for the ages, they won their first title in 30 years when they finally ended their campaign 18 points ahead of the top.
City had seen Klopp’s relentless reds forcibly tore their title out of their hands.
Now, for the first time since 1990, Liverpool will take part in the Community Shield as champions of England.
And while there won’t be a 2-1 loss to the Gunners in their 2-1 loss in the Emirates last month, a good show from Liverpool could set the tone for the following season.
All eyes will be on the Reds and any slight stumbling will be perceived as a weakness before the new season in some quarters.
Make no mistake, Liverpool will be the team everyone is after and Arsenal themselves, carried by a thrilling end to last season under Mikel Arteta, will want their own pop at Wembley.
With Arsenal’s rejuvenation seemingly gaining traction, they will see themselves as one of the many contenders for Liverpool’s throne right now.
“We have a target on our back and they’re going to want to throw us off the front,” James Milner recently admitted.
And with the wind in the sails with the wind in the sails with the arrival of Willian and an upcoming new contract for star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, they will appreciate their chances of an early strike on Saturday night.
The chance for an extra piece of silver is waiting for Klopp’s Reds in the capital.
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It will never be considered the most prestigious award, but lifting trophies is a habit that Liverpool have become accustomed to over the last year.
Getting another one to collect before the new season will do no harm at all as the champions prepare to defend their crown next month.
After winning the Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup and Premier League since June 2019, Jordan Henderson is quite adept at the now famous “Hendo Shuffle”.
Another performance by the same template will bring a world of good to the Liverpool captain as he keeps getting fit in time for the new season. Even if he’s not involved with Arteta’s men.
Klopp’s record against Arsenal is impressive at Anfield. Since taking office in October 2015, the manager has met the North Londoners ten times, won six times and drawn three times. That single defeat came in July after the Reds had already bagged the title.
Liverpool have looted 32 goals behind their opponents on Saturday in the process and the Reds will be determined to show they haven’t lost a step since a 3-1 win at Newcastle a month ago ended their history with 99 points Has.
With Liverpool largely inactive in the transfer market so far, aside from the arrival of £ 11.75m Kostas Tsimikas, the Reds’ rivals can only hope that their own recruitment can significantly close the gap at the end of the season on the Premier League table.
It’s probably why Liverpool may have to perform to show why they are champions when the whistle blows at Wembley today.
“It’s not a test match, it’s not a friendly, it’s a real game – at least against Arsenal,” said Klopp. “So, just try it right, give it all you have and try to win.”
The most important thing about the Community Shield is to play in it. But Liverpool are there to win.
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