Liverpool travel south to Wembley on Sunday to take on Manchester City in the season’s opener, the Community Shield.
We’ve also got to play Chelsea in the Super Cup in around ten days’ time, so there’s lots of silverware up for grabs early that will hopefully set a precedent for the rest of the campaign.
Liverpool’s pre-season has been difficult, with most of our best players absent for almost its entirety due to their commitments at the AFCON or the Copa America.
Sadio Mane, for example, is still holidaying and is a certainty to miss the City clash.
The rest of his team-mates should all be in contention, however.
Alisson will surely start in goal, despite his blunder against Lyon last night. The back-four essentially picks itself, despite the exceptional Joe Gomez waiting in the wings.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson at fullback; with Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip in the middle – the same back-five that won the Champions League.
In midfield, we reckon Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum will get the nod, with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain more offensive options from the bench. Throughout the season, we’d like one of that duo to establish a spot in the central three – but for this tie – the solid, reliable trio seems smart.
Up top, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino should be joined by Divock Origi – although our Brazilian no.11 will likely only have an hour of football in his legs – which will enable Xherdan Shaqiri or Rhian Brewster a role off the bench.
Our team to face City: Alisson; Trent, Robbo, VVD, Matip; Fabinho, Hendo, Gini; Salah, Firmino, Origi