Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is nowhere to be seen for Sunday's Community Shield showdown with Crystal Palace at Wembley.
The Netherlands international would have been expected to act as part of the Reds' double pivot against the Eagles, but as his partner is reportedly due to give birth, he has been left out of the squad.
Arne Slot has also opted to avoid risking Alexis Mac Allister from the first whistle following his recent fitness problems, so Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones should operate as the Premier League champions' midfield pairing.
With Szoboszlai and Jones pairing up at the base of the engine room, new signing Florian Wirtz looks set to feature in the number 10 position, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo either side of the Reds' record signing.
As expected, Hugo Ekitike starts up front following Darwin Nunez's £46m transfer to Al-Hilal, while Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are also in from the first whistle.
The two full-backs will operate as part of a four-man rearguard also comprising Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk - who has recovered from an illness - while Alisson Becker has returned to act as the last line of defence following a personal matter.
Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike start for Liverpool in Community Shield as Gravenberch misses out
Florian Wirtz for Liverpool on August 4, 2025
Liverpool are without a single recognised centre-back or striker on the bench, where Wataru Endo represents an emergency defensive option, while 16-year-old phenom Rio Ngumoha and 18-year-old Trey Nyoni are also among the reserves.
Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott are also involved despite links with a move away, but Kostas Tsimikas has been left out of the squad amid speculation surrounding his own future.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have gone with the exact same starting XI from their FA Cup final win over Manchester City, as Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr support Jean-Philippe Mateta in attack.
Liverpool-linked centre-back Marc Guehi starts in defence as expected, while the highly-rated Adam Wharton will operate alongside Daichi Kamada in the centre of the park.
New signing Borna Sosa must make do with a place on the bench, as Tyrick Mitchell has reprised his usual role at left wing-back, with Daniel Munoz on the opposite flank following his admission that he would be open to a move away from the club in the current transfer window.
Liverpool are aiming to win the Community Shield for the 17th time on Sunday - including shared triumphs - but they could also suffer an unwanted slice of club history at Wembley.
Liverpool starting lineup: Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Doak, Ngumoha
Crystal Palace starting lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta
Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Edouard, Sosa, Devenny, Cardines
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