John Aldridge: Why the Community Shield is more than just a friendly and my verdict on Darwin Nunez's Liverpool exit
Champions Liverpool will take on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Wembley today and Aldridge suggests the silverware on offer ensures this fixture is more than just a warm-up match.
'This is a fixture I have very fond memories of playing in,' stated Aldridge.
'I will never get over my penalty miss in the 1988 FA Cup final, with Dave Beasant saving my spot-kick and Wimbledon going on to beat a great Liverpool team I was honoured to be a part of at Wembley.
'So, scoring twice against Wimbledon in what was then called the Charity Shield match a few weeks later was some compensation, and that medal sits as part of my collection. I'm very proud of it.
'People say this match is a pre-season friendly and it is in many ways, but you have to win the league or the FA Cup to take part in it, and that makes it a little more than just a warm-up game.
'There is a trophy to be won and you don't get many chances to lift a trophy at Wembley, so it's well worth going after.
'I always feel Liverpool and Palace fans are similar as they have real passion for their club, and when you hear the noise generated at Selhurst Park by those Eagles fans, it confirms how much the club means to them.'
Aldridge also gave his verdict on Darwin Nunez's exit from Liverpool, after the striker sealed a move to the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.
'Nunez was too hit-and-miss for me,' added the former Ireland striker. 'Liverpool have brought in some big money on players who were not part of manager Arne Slot's plans over the last few weeks and Darwin Nunez was the latest big-name sale.
'Like most Liverpool fans, I defended Nunez for a long time after he arrived at the club, as we all like the passion and drive he had to succeed.
'The problem was, he missed too many big chances in front of goal and if we're being honest, he probably wasn't quite good enough to be Liverpool's lead striker.
'He scored some big goals for the club during his three seasons and you could sense that the fans were desperate for him to succeed.
'In the end, getting £50m back on the investment is a good deal for Liverpool and if Alexander Isak comes in as his replacement, that will be a massive upgrade.'
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