Liverpool and Crystal Palace will meet at Wembley on Sunday for the Community Shield and a number of new big-money signings could feature for the Premier League champions
Liverpool have strengthened significantly since lifting the Premier League trophy back in May and some of Arne Slot’s new recruits could make their first competitive appearances at Wembley on Sunday.
The Reds will meet last season’s FA Cup winners, Crystal Palace, at the home of football in the season’s curtain raiser. And after spending just shy of £300million so far in the transfer window – with more signings expected before the deadline – Liverpool have plenty of options for the big match.
Florian Wirtz is the summer’s biggest capture, joining in a British record transfer worth £116m including add-ons, and is likely to start.
Hugo Ekitike is likely to lead the line with Darwin Nunez poised to complete a move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal, while Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez could also feature.
Ahead of the game, Mirror Football predicts how Liverpool could line up ahead of a chance to clinch more silverware…
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Giorgi Mamardashvili signed for Liverpool last summer before spending one final season with Valencia. The Georgia international is now through the door but Alisson remains the Reds’ undisputed No 1 and should start here.
Ahead of the Brazilian, there is scope for new faces from the off. Jeremie Frimpong is expected to compete with Conor Bradley for the right-back spot following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid. On the opposite flank, Milos Kerkez should get the nod at left-back with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate completing the back four.
Ryan Gravenberch is suspended for Liverpool’s Premier League opener with Alexis Mac Allister only just coming back from injury. That could lead to Slot playing Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield ahead of the new league campaign.
Further forward, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo are likely to start in the wide attacking positions. Florian Wirtz is a lock for the No 10 spot and all eyes will be on the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man, who will no doubt be just as keen to make a strong early impression.
Hugo Ekitike should lead the line with Darwin Nunez expected to depart Anfield in the coming days. His position could alter, though, as the season goes on if Liverpool are successful in their pursuit of Alexander Isak.
Liverpool predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
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