Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will already have one eye on the opening Premier League game of the season against Chelsea in little over two weeks with a starting line-up likely taking shape. Express Sport takes a look at the starting XI Klopp may opt for against Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Goalkeeper: Alisson
There was talk of a new second-choice goalkeeper being signed this summer with Caomhin Kelleher being made available, but no official bid has come in for the Irish shot-stopper. It means the 24-year-old is likely to remain at Anfield as a back-up option this year with Alisson still holding down the No 1 jersey.
Only an injury to the Brazilian will keep him out of the line-up this season, but Klopp will be hoping he avoids that situation.
Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson
Trent Alexander-Arnold has spent the first two pre-season games playing in midfield with Conor Bradley taking his place at right-back. But that appears to be done purposefully by Klopp for Alexander-Arnold just to get more experience in the hybrid role.
He’s set to return to his usual right-back spot at the start of the campaign while Ibrahima Konate appears to be the favoured option to partner Virgil van Dijk to start the campaign. Joel Matip and Joe Gomez will be fighting for their spot, but Konate is winning the race for the time being.
Midfield: Thiago, Jones, Mac Allister
Liverpool’s midfield unit looks set to be completed with the imminent signing of Romeo Lavia as talks are ongoing with Southampton. With Jordan Henderson leaving and Fabinho set to follow him out the door, Lavia looks set to complete Liverpool’s overhaul in midfield.
But his arrival may come too soon for Klopp to throw him in at the deep end. The same might be said for Dominik Szoboszlai as Klopp has proven in the past that he’s willing to hold back new arrivals to see how they bed into the side. Curtis Jones has enjoyed an exceptional summer where he led England to glory in the Under-21 European Championships while Thiago looks set to be fit and ready for the start of the campaign.
Mac Allister may be preferred over Szoboszlai for the Chelsea match largely due to his Premier League experience. Stefan Bajcetic may also be vying for a spot in the side as he steps up his recovery.
Attack: Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Klopp is spoilt for choice in the attacking positions with all five senior players fit and firing in pre-season. The Liverpool boss has given little away with his team selections in the opening two pre-season friendlies, but Diaz appears to be favoured down the left.
Nunez has also found the net three times, but Cody Gakpo may get the nod through the middle after impressing at the end of the last season. Nobody is dislodging Mohamed Salah on the right flank though and the Egyptian will be one of the first names on the teamsheet in two weeks.
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