Liverpool’s first starting lineup of the new Premier League season against Bournemouth largely picks itself, but will Alexis Mac Allister play?
The Reds’ title defence is almost upon us, with Arne Slot expected to hand league debuts to Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
The Reds were beaten by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield last weekend, but how different will their XI be at home to Bournemouth on Friday night?
Here’s how we think Liverpool could line up.
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Here’s what Slot revealed in his press conference and who will miss out:
Liverpool’s XI vs. Bournemouth
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Bradley and Gravenberch the only regulars missing, Slot doesn’t have many selection headaches.
Neither featured against Palace at Wembley, so there is every chance that Liverpool’s starting lineup will be unchanged.
That would mean a start for new full-back pair Frimpong and Kerkez, with the latter preferred to Andy Robertson at left-back.
Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai were used in a double pivot without Gravenberch available, and they may continue there at Anfield.
The attacking quartet picks itself, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo taking up wide roles, Wirtz as No. 10 and Ekitike leading the line.
Here are Slot’s likely decisions:
Liverpool’s XI unchanged from Community Shield
Kerkez over Robertson at left-back – a sign of things to come?
Jones and Szoboszlai in a double pivot; Ekitike to lead the line
This is how Liverpool would line up:
Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
The only possible question mark lingering in Slot’s mind is whether to start Mac Allister in place of Jones.
The Argentine is one of Liverpool’s most important players, when fit, but he only returned from injury late last month.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see Mac Allister start, but Slot may err on the side of caution, using Jones instead, due to his superior match fitness.
Some may be tempted to go with the experience to Robertson at left-back, but it is already clear who the first-choice is out of him and Kerkez.
Federico Chiesa doesn’t merit a start over Salah and Gakpo, so a place on the bench is the best he can hope for, alongside 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha.
A second-half cameo from the teenager could make for great viewing!
Here’s how Liverpool’s alternate team would look:
Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
After a long pre-season and a glorified friendly at Wembley, the serious business starts now!
Liverpool have looked strong during the summer, but not perfect, and they will need to be more solid defensively against a dangerous Bournemouth side.
But barring the Mac Allister dilemma in midfield, the vast majority of Reds fans would pick 10 of the same 11 players at Anfield.
Slot will have harder teams to select as the season goes on, but this one is largely easy to predict.