Many Liverpool players are still away on holiday following international duty, or in the case of Joe Allen and Emre Can – still involved in summer competition – but Jurgen Klopp still has a raft of exciting options ahead of our first friendly of pre-season.
The Reds take on Tranmere at 7pm Friday, and the occasion will likely be the first opportunity for fans to check out the new signings in action.
As a result, we’ve picked our ideal XI from the available players, and have gone with a mixture of new, young and old.
Between the sticks, we want to see Loris Karius in action, and surely will considering Simon Mignolet isn’t back yet following his time on the bench for Belgium at the Euros.
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Alberto Moreno wasn’t picked for Spain so can start at left-back, with Jon Flanagan over on the right. In central defence, a fallout with Croatia’s manager meant Dejan Lovren stayed at home – meaning he’s ready to start alongside new signing Joel Matip for the first time. If Mamadou Sakho receives a lengthy ban, this could be our first-choice partnership at centre-back this season.
In the midfield double pivot we’ve chosen two talented youngsters in Cameron Brannagan and Pedro Chirivella. The latter can sit and control tempo, while the Englishman can surge forward and start attacks from deep.
It’s the front four which really excites us, though. We want returning loanee Lazar Markovic on the left, £30m Sadio Mane on the right, and Roberto Firmino behind Danny Ings up top.
That’s pace, skill and finishing. The likes of Lucas, Joe Gomez and Allan Rodriguez will hopefully play from the bench.
What d’you make of this prospective XI, Reds?
