12/08/2025

TUESDAY | AUG 12, 2025

Read

iPaper at Malaysian Paper

www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download

app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Malaysian Paper or download

SCAN ME

SCAN ME

Malaysian Paper

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi (centre) lifts the trophy after Palace win the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium. – AFPPIC

Cash not king Glasner takes veiled swipe at Liverpool after Community Shield win

Liverpool players look dejected during the penalty shootout. – REUTERSPIC

O LIVER GLASNER believes Crystal Palace earned themselves a feeling “you can’t buy with any money in the world” after his team fought back to beat big-spending Liverpool on pen alties in the Community Shield at Wembley. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved spot kicks from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, after Mohamed Salah had missed the Reds’ first, as the Eagles added more silverware to their collection, having secured their first major trophy by defeating Manchester City to lift the FA Cup in May. And it was that victory, the Palace boss revealed, that he deliberately kept fresh in his players’ minds on their return to the national stadium, where normal time ended 2-2 thanks to Ismaila Sarr’s second-half equaliser before Northern Ireland international Justin Devenny converted the decisive penalty. “I showed the players a video before we went to Wembley about the happiness of the fans after winning the FA Cup, and this, we call it the emotional reward,” Glasner said. “Standing here in front of the fans, having these emotions, this feeling you can’t buy with any money in the world, so you have to deserve it. And the players deserved it after the FA Cup and the players deserved it today. “Our fans, they are already supporting us from the beginning until the end, even today. When we were down, they were

when Liverpool suffered defeat in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle in May. Liverpool target Alexander Isak was on the scoresheet that day as the Magpies ran out 2-1 winners, and he could yet cross the divide, with Liverpool waiting for a sign to proceed with a second bid after their opening £110 million (RM628m) proposal was knocked back earlier this month. And Van Dijk believes that the Reds need another forward before the summer transfer deadline after selling Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. Slot has welcomed Ekitike and Wirtz to Anfield but with Diaz and Nunez departing for Bayern Munich and Al-Hilal respectively, Van Dijk feels that another attacker, like Isak perhaps, is exactly what the team needs. “Well, we just lost Darwin, He went to Saudi and we lost Lucho, obviously he went to Bayern,” Van Dijk told talkSPORT . “I think there’s always room for an attacker in order to strengthen us so let’s see what the window brings in terms of the balance of the team.” But Slot seemed to disagree, saying: “I think we have more than enough (attacking) options to be good enough to win again. My last concern at the moment is our offensive quality. “It’s more... it’s not a concern, but if I look at the amount of goals we’ve conceded in pre-season, that’s not of our standard.” – The Independent/Express Newspapers

always pushing the team forward. “It’s a great connection, and at the end, we were all rewarded, and this is what then stays forever.” The contest opened with a touching tribute to former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a car crash in Spain on July 3. Liverpool have spent nearly £300 million (RM1.74b) this transfer window – recouping almost £200 million (RM1.16b) – while Palace have so far only splashed around £2 million (RM11.6m) on Croatia defender Borna Sosa, and added goalkeeper Walter Benitez on a free transfer. Four of Arne Slot’s summer signings were handed starts at Wembley, and made their impact felt early on as Florian Wirtz teed up fellow debutant Hugo Ekitike for a fourth minute opener. Jean-Philippe Mateta drew the sides level with a 17th-minute penalty before Liverpool restored their advantage four minutes later through another new addition, Jeremie Frimpong, who looped what looked like an intended cross over Henderson’s fingertips and in. But Sarr, who scored twice in the FA Cup semifinal, finished from an excellent Adam Wharton pass in the 77th minute to draw the sides level and take the match to penalties. “I hate losing and I’ve lost my last two games at Wembley,” said Liverpool skipper Virgil Van Dijk, who was also on the pitch

Mark of champions

- Story on page 29 Sto p

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com