Liverpool will begin their 2023-24 Premier League campaign with a Sunday trip to Stamford Bridge to face Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.
Finishing in the top four will be the bare minimum for the Reds this season after a disappointing campaign last time out.
Jurgen Klopp has overseen a midfield overhaul this summer, with experienced campaigners such as James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho departing Anfield. He has managed to add Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to his squad and remains optimistic about a few more new signings before the transfer window slams shut.
Following an entertaining pre-season campaign, Klopp’s Liverpool will be hoping for a winning start to their new campaign.
Liverpool Team News
Thiago Alcantara is unlikely to feature while he recovers from hip surgery last May. Stefan Bajcetic is also a doubt after missing the entirety of pre-season as he is eased back to full fitness.
Tomorrow…
Our @premierleague campaign begins ✊🔴 pic.twitter.com/JEh6CQc4Im
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 12, 2023
Predicted Liverpool Lineup vs Chelsea (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker is Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, and he should keep his place in the Liverpool lineup against Chelsea come Sunday.
Defence
Jurgen Klopp is likely to opt for a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson—the same defence that started in the final pre-season game against Darmstadt earlier this week.
Van Dijk and Konate will team up in central defence, with Alexander-Arnold and Robertson offering energy and intensity to Liverpool’s play from the right-back and left-back positions in the Liverpool lineup.
Midfield
With Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain gone, Liverpool now have a couple of fresh faces in the middle of the park.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are those and the duo will walk straight into Klopp’s first XI against Chelsea, having impressed in the pre-season.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup vs Chelsea
Mac Allister will take up the deeper role in midfield, hoping to dictate the tempo of play with his excellent passing and reading of the game. Szoboszlai will add a layer of creativity to Liverpool’s midfield.
The Hugarian’s addition to the Liverpool lineup will aid Klopp’s 3 box 3 formation. Although there are defensive deficiencies in his game, his ability to find a pass and carry the ball makes him a good fit.
Joe Gomez and Harvey Elliot will have to be content with spots on the bench.
Attack
Cody Gakpo had an impressive pre-season, making him a certainty to start in Liverpool’s season opener against Chelsea. The Dutchman will operate centrally as a No.9, flanked by Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz. If the trio of Salah, Gakpo and Diaz click together, they can cause mayhem at Stamford Bridge.
In Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, Klopp will have two potent offensive weapons to bring off the bench when required.
