Liverpool predicted XI v Huddersfield: Mane, Grujic to start, wonderkids on the bench

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Liverpool take on Huddersfield this evening in the final friendly on home shores before we head out for the pre-season Tour of America, where much more high profile friendlies await.

The aim of the four friendlies in England has been for them to get progressively more difficult, and now Jurgen Klopp takes on his best friend David Wagner, who manages Huddersfield in the Championship.

We’ve beaten Fleetwood, Tranmere and Wigan so far, but this will likely be our sternest test and the starting lineup should reflect as much.

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Loris Karius is a certainty to continue in goal. He hasn’t conceded yet, but did have a sticky moment against Wigan. He’ll be keen to make amends. Jon Flanagan should continue at right-back, while Alberto Moreno – who had a minor back problem at the weekend – should be fit to play.

At centre-back we think Joel Matip will be allowed a rest having limped off versus Wigan, enabling Tiago Ilori a start alongside Dejan Lovren.

In central midfield, Marko Grujic, ill at the weekend, is in line for a return, with fans desperate to check out the young Serbian at close quarters again. We can see him starting alongside Kevin Stewart, with Lucas and Cameron Brannagan coming on in the second-half.

The front four need as many games as possible together, and although Ovie Ejaria and Ben Woodburn have been exceptional so far, we can see them coming on in the second-half instead. This would allow Sadio Mane, Coutinho and Roberto Firmino to start in attacking midfield – as they potentially will in Klopp’s strongest lineups next season.

Danny Ings has two pre-season goals so far and is the obvious choice to play from the off here.

If Klopp decides to select more of a mixed XI, expect Connor Randall and Ejaria to start, allowing some experience to come off the bench.

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