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Liverpool defeats Manchester City to win Community Shield, highlights, Darwin Nunez goal, Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez

Liverpool struck first blood against Manchester City ahead of the new Premier League season as Darwin Nunez made an instant impact for Jurgen Klopp’s men to win the Community Shield 3-1.

In a tale of two big summer signings, Nunez came off the bench to win a penalty and score his first goal since an $AUD109 million move from Benfica, while Erling Haaland had a City debut to forget.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold’s blistering strike gave Liverpool a deserved halftime lead in Leicester.

But it was City’s other new forward who hauled Pep Guardiola’s men back into the game after the break as Julian Alvarez equalised.

Tying down Mohamed Salah to a new three-year deal was Liverpool’s other major piece of summer business and the Egyptian was deadly from the penalty spot after Nunez’s header was handled by Ruben Dias.

The Uruguayan then got his own glory moment by stooping to head home in stoppage time before tearing off his shirt in celebration.

Victory saw Liverpool win the traditional season curtain-raiser for the first time since 2006 and lay down an early marker in what is expected to be another battle between the sides for the Premier League title.

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City held off the Reds to win the Premier League for a fourth time in five years by a point in a thrilling finale to last season.

Guardiola’s men had to come from 2-0 down on the final day of the campaign to beat Aston Villa and were again guilty of a slow start.

Salah was the provider for the opening goal as he laid Thiago Alcantara’s cross field pass back to the edge of the box and Alexander-Arnold smashed in off the post with the aid of a slight deflection off Dias.

City had played just two pre-season friendlies to Liverpool’s four and took half an hour to find their feet.

Haaland was denied by Liverpool stand-in goalkeeper Adrian with his first sight of goal.

However, the Norwegian should have opened his City account moments later as he failed to properly connect with Joao Cancelo’s inviting cross.

Nunez was given his chance to shine on the hour mark, but fluffed his first big chance when Ederson prevailed in a one-on-one.

Darwin Nunez got on the scoresheet with Liverpool's third goal.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez got on the scoresheet with Liverpool’s third goal. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

At the other end, City’s new South American striker also got his career in England off to a flying start.

Alvarez’s arrival at the Etihad has gone under the radar in the hype surrounding Haaland.

But the Argentine, who scored six goals in one Copa Libertadores match in May, is also regarded as one of the world’s most exciting young forwards.

Alvarez was quickest to react to the rebound after Adrian saved Phil Foden’s initial effort and the goal stood after a VAR review for offside.

It needed another the intervention of VAR once more for Liverpool to restore their lead seven minutes from time.

Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot after seeing a replay of Nunez’s header coming back off the arm of Dias.

Salah was deadly as ever from 12 yards as he drilled into the bottom corner despite Ederson going the right way.

Nunez then ended any doubt over the result when he pounced on Andy Robertson’s header across goal.

But City’s miserable day did not end there as Haaland hit the bar with the goal gaping deep in stoppage time to keep the Norwegian superstar waiting to open his account in English football.

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Commonwealth Games cyclists taken to hospital, spectators injured after velodrome crash

Three cyclists have been taken to hospital and spectators have been injured following a horrific crash during a heat of the men’s scratch race at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

England’s Matt Walls and Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock were involved in the crash along with several other riders.

Walls was catapulted over the barriers and into the crowd at the Lee Valley VeloPark. The 24-year-old received treatment for more than 40 minutes before leaving the velodrome in an ambulance.

Spectators were also hurt after Walls and his bike came over the top of the barriers on the high banking at a corner of the track.

Walls was trying to avoid riders who had failed in a crash lower down the banking, but he clipped another wheel and went over the top.

“Three cyclists and two spectators have been treated by the onsite medical team,” a Birmingham 2022 statement read.

“The three cyclists have been taken to hospital. The two spectators did not require hospital treatment.”

England team officials said Walls was to undergo “precautionary checks” in hospital.

The remainder of the morning Commonwealth Games cycling session was canceled and spectators were asked to leave the velodrome.

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