Liverpool returns for its first pre-season friendly of the summer today with Arne Slot's side taking on Preston North End at Deepdale. Before the game, tributes will be made to Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.
You’ll Never Walk Alone will be played ahead of kick-off in remembrance of the pair, who were tragically killed in a car crash earlier this month. There will be a minute's silence, both sets of players will wear black armbands, and a commemorative matchday programme has also been produced.
In the first step back to something closer to normality after such a difficult period for everyone involved at Liverpool, the Reds decided to go ahead with the match. Though it will be tough, the players felt that it was the best approach.
Stefan Bajcetic is injured at the moment while Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton both played for England U21s this summer and could have more time off as a result of that. But everyone else is back and available to feature.
Slot is likely to use lots of players here — and selecting a starting XI would be pointless as a result — with most potentially playing 45 minutes to get some rhythm back in their legs.
However, we should get the first glimpse of Florian Wirtz in a Liverpool shirt. It will be interesting to see where he plays — he could operate as a number 10 or a false nine, and played both roles at Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Fellow new signings Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili are also likely to be involved. Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman, two more goalkeepers, might also take part.
If Slot were to pick two starting XIs, it could look something like this:
Alisson; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Diaz.
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Nallo, Robertson/Tsimikas; Endo, Nyoni; Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Jones; Nunez.
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That excludes Elliott and Morton, but also the likes of Ben Doak, who could be sold this summer amid interest from various clubs. Even at this point in pre-season, Slot has plenty of options to choose from.
At center-back is where he lacks some depth. Young talent Amara Nallo is the likeliest to step up alongside Van Dijk, Konate and Gomez, with Jarell Quansah having moved to Germany.
Whoever plays, the game will be taking place in difficult circumstances. And in any case, friendlies are not the most instructive in terms of the level Liverpool will reach in the coming months.
Slot and his players will make the most of the chance to get some minutes in their legs. There might be some hints — like where Wirtz might play — but nothing too much should be read into whatever happens beyond that.