Jurgen Klopp is set to field three Reds for the first time this pre-season when Liverpool take on Hertha Berlin in Saturday’s friendly.
One notable inclusion in the 22-man squad is left-back Andrew Robertson, who looks set to make his first appearance for the club since signing from Hull City.
Sadio Mane will also be involved after returning to training having recovered from his knee injury, while Emre Can will finally be back in action following his extended summer break.
Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “There are a lot of interesting things to see. I was a player too and I used to look at the line-up, ‘Am I involved from the beginning? If not, do I come on in the second half?’”
“I told the boys before the game, if you think the wrong things after I made a decision in pre-season, I can’t change it but I haven’t made my line-up for Watford now, so why are you making it?”
“When I give a line-up for pre-season, [players] must use the opportunity and play as good football as you can. We will hopefully have a few difficult choices to make in the next season and we can only get the benefit from it if they all stay confident.”
The Reds are unbeaten in pre-season so far, starting their summer preparations with a win against Tranmere, followed by a draw against Wigan and wins over Crystal Palace and Leicester in the Asia Trophy.
Klopp’s main focus, however, will undoubtedly be on experimentation as he strives to determine his strongest system and where he can fit in key players.
Uncertainty over Liverpool’s first choice central midfield trio gives Can in particular a battle on his hands as he looks to pick up where he left off last season and retain his place as a main influence in Klopp’s setup.
One man who won’t be involved in Berlin is striker Danny Ings, who has only recently started training alongside his teammates again as he continues to recover from a long-term knee injury.
For fans, it could be the first chance to see both the club’s latest summer signing in action and also Mane playing with recent arrival Mohamed Salah.
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