Liverpool predicted lineup vs Wigan: Coutinho to start first pre-season game

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We’re up against Wigan in our next pre-season fixture, and we’ll once again get to see the team in action ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.

Jurgen Klopp may well look to field a team as close to full strength as possible – at least in one half of the game – and this is how we think we’ll start the game:

GK) Loris Karius

The German shot-stopper looks likely to be our first-choice next season, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens when Simon Mignolet returns.

RB) Jon Flanagan

Flanagan hasn’t looked the same since his injury, but hopefully more game time will help him recapture his form.

LB) Hector Moreno

It’s unclear whether Moreno will be our first choice next season, or whether Klopp will dip his toes into the transfer market again for a new left-back. At the moment the Spaniard is our senior left-back, but Brad Smith could get a start.

CB) Joel Matip

With injuries plaguing us already, Matip seems guaranteed to be our starting centre-back.

CB) Dejan Lovren

Lovren should be the player joining him against Wigan, and this may well be the partnership we see at the start of the season.

DM) Lucas

Lucas is unlikely to be a regular first-team player next season – if he’s even still here – but for the moment he seems a likely candidate to play in midfield.

CM) Marko Grujic

Grujic was hugely impressive against Fleetwood Town in the first half, and it will be great to see more of him against Wigan.

CAM) Roberto Firmino

Firmino was similarly outstanding against Fleetwood, but the pair are yet to play together.

RAM) Sadio Mane

A lot will be expected of Mane after the amount paid by him, so hopefully he gets a good pre-season.

LAM) Philippe Coutinho

We’re yet to see the Brazilian in pre-season, but after a week of training he should be ready to play some part against Wigan.

ST) Danny Ings

Unlikely to be even close to first choice next season, but a good pre-season could certainly give Klopp something to think about.

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We’ll probably see an entirely different team in the second half, but in pre-season it’s usually difficult to tell exactly what the manager is thinking and planning.

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