Liverpool beat Athletic Bilbao twice on Monday and Arne Slot could make a number of changes for the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on Sunday as transfer talks ramp up
10:47, 06 Aug 2025
Arne Slot
Arne Slot faces tough decisions before the Community Shield(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool continued their pre-season preparations with two wins in their friendly matches against Athletic Bilbao on Monday evening, but manager Arne Slot has a headache heading into the weekend.
A largely reserve team featuring teen sensation Rio Ngumoha cruised to a 4-1 victory in the first match, while a goal from Mohamed Salah and a brace from Cody Gakpo secured a tighter 3-2 win for a more seasoned Reds squad in the second game.
Slot's side will wrap up their pre-season schedule this Sunday with the traditional season opener, the Community Shield at Wembley, where the Premier League champions will face off against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
But the Dutchman has a number of crucial selection decisions to make, amid the ongoing talk of Alexander Isak's potential arrival and Al-Hilal's move for Darwin Nunez.
Alisson Becker hasn't been seen since the friendly loss to AC Milan in Hong Kong due to personal reasons back in Brazil, leaving Giorgi Mamardashvili stepping in between the posts. However, Slot has confirmed Alisson will be back for Wembley and is expected to reclaim his spot.
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao at Anfield
Darwin Nunez is reportedly close to leaving Liverpool(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
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The rest of the defence isn't as straightforward. With Joe Gomez's availability yet unknown for the weekend, Virgil van Dijk - absent on Monday due to illness - and Ibrahima Konate are likely to be the only senior centre-backs fit to play.
Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endo and young talent Trey Nyoni have all filled in out of position at the heart of the defence during pre-season, with Endo being the most probable choice if Slot decides not to overload Van Dijk or Konate.
Robertson and Tsimikas are vying for the left-back position, though new recruit Milos Kerkez is tipped to be the top choice.
With Conor Bradley's fitness in question, Jeremie Frimpong is likely to take up the right-back spot. Academy ace Luca Stephenson and Dominik Szoboszlai have both played the role during pre-season.
Jeremie Frimpong runs with the ball against AC Milan
Jeremie Frimpong has already impressed with Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The midfield continues to be a fiercely competitive area of the Liverpool squad. Alexis Mac Allister was a regular last season as part of the double pivot but has only just come back from a lengthy injury lay-off, so he might have to settle for a role off the bench.
Ryan Gravenberch has been Mac Allister's usual partner but his suspension from the Premier League opener against Bournemouth next Friday could force Slot to change his plans.
Curtis Jones and notably Szoboszlai have both shone this summer and can play in the holding midfield role, with Endo another possibility.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz could introduce himself to English football fans in the Community Shield(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Both Jones and Szoboszlai are also contenders for the No.10 role where Florian Wirtz is the front-runner. Harvey Elliott kicked off as an attacking midfielder in the first friendly against Bilbao but the 22-year-old is the subject of talks between Liverpool and RB Leipzig.
Liverpool's first-choice attack seems set, with Salah on the right, Gakpo on the left and new signing Hugo Ekitike leading the line.
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For the time being, Nunez and Federico Chiesa are both contenders for the number nine spot, while Ekitike and young sensation Ngumoha can also take up positions on the left wing. Frimpong and Ben Doak are potential alternatives for Salah on the right flank.