The Premier League champions are aiming to lay down a very early marker when they face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Yet of course, there will be an air of distinct sadness to Sunday, as will be the case for every Liverpool game for the foreseeable future. The Community Shield will act as the club’s first competitive game since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in July.

English top-flight football returns this weekend with the Community Shield – the annual domestic curtain-raiser that pits last season’s Premier League champions Liverpool against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Wembley.