Liverpool has confirmed its starting XI to take on AS Monaco at Anfield on Sunday, with Andoni Iraola picking mostly a senior team for the clash.
Luke Chambers #44 of Liverpool celebrates scoring a goal with teammate Trey Nyoni #42 of Liverpool during the first half of a preseason friendly against Leeds United
Liverpool face off with AS Monaco in a preseason friendly(Image: (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images))
Liverpool's penultimate match of the preseason calendar is here, as Andoni Iraola has named his team to take on AS Monaco at Anfield.
The Reds have picked up two wins and one defeat so far in preseason, with the manager having a mixed roster of players to call upon as senior stars return in staggered phases due to the World Cup break.
With many now returning, Iraola has been able to name a strong starting lineup, which kicks off with Alisson Becker making a return to action for his first minutes since last season.
The backline will see Kostas Tsimikas and Jeremie Frimpong on either flank at full-back, while Virgil van Dijk and Ifeanyi Ndukwe make up the remainder of the back four.
The midfield is made up of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Florian Wirtz, a trio that is expected to start most weeks for the Reds this coming season.
In the forward line, Iraola has named Cody Gakpo and Lewis Koumas either side of Alexander Isak, as the stars look to get themselves up to speed for the campaign ahead.
Head coach Andoni Iraola of Liverpool FC reacts during the second half of a preseason friendly against Leeds United
Andoni Iraola will take charge of his first Liverpool match at Anfield in the friendly against Monaco(Image: (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images))
The bench features the likes of Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, and Milos Kerkez, while Victor Munoz could make his debut from the bench for the team. There is no place in the team for Jeremy Jacquet, who is still recovering from injury, while Curtis Jones doesn't feature in the squad at all.
It's the first match for Iraola and his staff at Anfield, offering an opportunity for the home fans to see the new style of play up close and in-person.
Speaking to the Liverpool media team before the clash, the Spaniard revealed the pride he will have in taking to the dugout during the match.
He said: "Sunday is, of course, going to be a very proud day for my staff, and for me, as we take charge of our first home game.
“I have experienced Anfield before from the other side, and that was pretty special (even if the results didn’t go the way I would have liked!) but I know that it will be a completely different feeling as the head coach of Liverpool, and that is something I am really excited for.
“I spoke when I first arrived at the club about emotion, about the connection between the players, the staff and the supporters. That is extremely important and will be even more so going forward.
“We want to give you guys a team you can really identify with and be proud of, and we will be doing everything we can, every day, to make that happen.
“Sunday, therefore, is an important step on that journey. It is a journey I want us to all enjoy together, and which I hope and believe will lead to success and to many happy and memorable moments in the future.”
It's an opportunity for players to build some more fitness and tactical understanding, before next week's final friendly match against Como.
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Tsimikas, Van Dijk, Ndukwe, Frimpong; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo, Isak, Koumas.