(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Liverpool will begin their Premier League title defence with a tricky home game against the newly-promoted side Leeds United on Saturday.
The Reds have been handed tough opening few games, and will hope to begin on a winning note against Leeds, who will play their first top-flight fixture after 16 long years.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side play an exciting brand of football, and will test Jürgen Klopp’s side, who have had a few defensive issues in pre-season.
The Reds have not lost at Anfield since April 2017, and will look to keep that unbeaten run going this season as well.
Liverpool Team News
The Reds were without Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson during pre-season, but both might be available for the clash against Leeds United.
While Alexander-Arnold featured for England in the recent international break, Henderson has returned to training, and could get some playing time against Leeds United.
New summer signing Kostas Tsimikas tested positive for coronavirus, and will not be available, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up a knee injury in pre-season, and is on the treatment table too.
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker missed several games last season, and although Adrian did okay in the Brazilian’s absence, the fans will hope that the former can stay fit for the whole season. He should start in goal.
Defence
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez featured regularly in pre-season, and should start as the two centre-backs for Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold got some good minutes for England, and he could start come Saturday as well.
Andy Robertson will have some competition from Tsimikas this season, but the Scotland international will be the only option at left-back for the opener. He should make the Liverpool lineup.
The two full-backs played a key role last season, and if they can stay fit again, expect them to rack up the assists.
Midfield
With Henderson unavailable to start, Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum are the automatic selections owing to their tenacity, and ability to hold the ball. Fabinho should feature in the deeper midfield role, while Wijnaldum could play the number 8 role, and make the occasional forward forays.
Takumi Minamino had a good pre-season in an attacking midfield role, but we expect Naby Keita to make the Liverpool lineup.
Leeds play an expansive game and will leave gaps behind to exploit, and that’s where Keita’s passing ability could come into the picture. The former Leipzig star had a good end to the 2019-20 season, and will hope to stay fit and kick on this season.
Attack
No real surprises here as Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah will again look to score the goals and show why they are rated as the best attacking trio in world football.
Firmino managed just one goal at Anfield last season, and he will look to change that this season.
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