Date: 30th July 2022 at 12:30pm
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Liverpool and Manchester City are set to renew their bitter rivalry on Saturday as they face each other in the Community Shield. 

The season curtain raiser could see a number of players make their debuts for both sides, and here we take a look at the XI that Jurgen Klopp could select to face the Citizens.

Goalkeeper

The FA Cup holders will be without both Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher for the match, meaning Adrian will be handed a rare start. The Spaniard made just one appearance for the Reds last term – against Preston North End in the EFL Cup – and will be unlikely to exceed that tally by much this season.

Defenders

At the back, Trent Alexander-Arnold will most likely start at right-back as Klopp will look to select his strongest side. The Englishman has established himself as one of the world’s best full-backs and could be tasked with dealing with either Jack Grealish or Phil Foden.

Van Dijk will most likely be partnered by Joel Matip

In the middle, Virgil van Dijk will most likely be partnered by Joel Matip. The Cameroonian defender overtook Joe Gomez in the pecking order at Anfield last term and has since established himself as a more than capable partner for Van Dijk, who Klopp will be relying on to combat the threat of Erling Haaland. Ibrahima Konate started against RB Salzburg in a pre-season fixture four days ago and could therefore revert to the bench.

On the left, Andy Robertson is likely to start ahead of Kostas Tsimikas, who is returning from injury.

Midfielders

Klopp faces a tricky decision when it comes to his midfield three, with several options available to him. Fabinho is most likely to start at the base of their midfield, having enjoyed a superb season last year.

In front of him, club captain Jordan Henderson is likely to be given the nod ahead of Naby Keita, while Thiago Alcantara could be deployed in the other central midfield role. The pair were both crucial to Klopp’s side last term and are likely to be once again during the upcoming campaign.

Henderson will likely captain the Reds

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to be out for a while after suffering a hamstring injury, while Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will likely be among the substitutes.

Fabio Carvalho could be given the chance to impress from the bench.

Forwards

Liverpool’s frontline could look quite different this season, with Sadio Mane having departed for Bayern Munich at the start of the window. Mohamed Salah ended speculation about his own future by signing a new long term contract, and the Egyptian will be at the forefront of much of the Reds’ attacking play on Saturday, most likely starting on the right of their front three.

On the opposite side to him, Luis Diaz can expect to start after impressing during his first few months in English football. The Colombian is expected to step up and take the minutes of Mane this term.

Nunez will make his debut in the match

Diogo Jota is injured and will miss the match, meaning Darwin Nunez will likely make his competitive debut for the club. The striker secured a big money move after scoring twice against the Reds last term, and all eyes will be on him and Haaland on the opposite side.

Roberto Firmino, who has been linked with an Anfield exit, will be among the substitutes.

Predicted XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

 
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