NewsArne Slot: Community Shield is the ideal game to complete our preparations
Arne Slot views Sunday's FA Community Shield as the 'ideal' way for Liverpool to wrap up their preparations for 2025-26.
The Reds meet Emirates FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Wembley in the annual spectacle to mark the beginning of the new footballing season.
An outing at the national stadium is a well-earned reward for Slot's side after lifting the Premier League title and always an occasion to be relished.
The head coach said: "As someone who has followed English football all my life, I know how special a game at Wembley is.
"I had my first taste of this place as a head coach last season, and I am really looking forward to being back out there with my team.
"For us, this is the ideal game to complete our preparations for the new season. As a head coach, you want three things at this time of year: to get some good work in on the training ground, competitive and challenging games and to steer clear of injuries.
"We know, of course, what we achieved last season, and it is important from our point of view that we maintain the standards we set during the past 12 months."
Oliver Glasner's Palace stand in Liverpool's way of getting their hands on this particular trophy for the 17th time.
The Eagles defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final three months ago to seal an historic first major honour and set up this weekend's showdown.
"They are a team which always makes it difficult," Slot said. "They have good players, a very good coach with a clear idea of how to play, and to achieve what they achieved last season, winning the Emirates FA Cup here against Manchester City, was really impressive. They deserve a lot of credit for that."