Ian Doyle - Harvey Elliott deserves a go
Another day, another friendly nearer the start of the season for Liverpool.
It's Salzburg this time, who should be in better physical shape than the Reds and offer a decent test.
Not long, either, to the Community Shield against Manchester City on Saturday. And that means Jurgen Klopp is likely to go strong with his starting line-up, especially given many will play the full 90 minutes at the weekend.
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There are, however, some injury niggles, so it'll be interesting to see who is available. In goal, I'd go with Adrian. At right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson on the other side of the defence, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the central positions.
Midfield sees Fabinho alongside Thiago Alcantara and, for me, Harvey Elliott deserves a go. Up top, Mohamed Salah is on the right, Darwin Nunez down the middle and Fabio Carvalho on the left, purely to see how he fares in a strong team.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Elliott; Salah, Nunez, Carvalho.
Paul Gorst - I’m expecting a strong side this evening
The pre-season schedule rolls on for Liverpool and I’m expecting a strong side this evening like the one against RB Leipzig last week.
No Alisson Becker, of course, so Adrian will once again start in goal behind a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
In midfield, I’m picking Harvey Elliott on the right of the three next to Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara with Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Naby Keita all to get minutes in the second period. Up top, Darwin Nunez can lead the line with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah on the left and right, respectively.
My team: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Tom Cavilla - Mabaya and Milner handed starts
As Liverpool approach the end of their pre-season tour, Jurgen Klopp will hope RB Salzburg can provide another valuable test for his players.
The Reds have two matches remaining before the new Premier League season gets under way and may view this fixture as a chance to gauge just how prepared the Reds are for another relentless campaign. With the Community Shield taking place in just three days’ time however, a more cautious approach may be taken with the squad selection.
Klopp has already confirmed this match will come too soon for Alisson Becker, meaning Adrian is likely to be given the nod between the sticks. Changes could be in order across the backline, providing an opportunity for Academy prospect Isaac Mabaya to impress from the off.
James Milner would be an ideal candidate for a place in midfield alongside Fabio Carvalho and Naby Keita, with Fabinho and Thiago dropping down to the bench. Stefan Bajcetic is another option to feature from the start, having made a positive impression in Liverpool’s last outing.
Darwin Nunez can be called upon from the bench once again, enabling Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino to lead the attack.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian, Mabaya, Matip, Gomez, Tsimikas; Milner, Carvalho, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Diaz.
Theo Squires - Elliott can start in midfield
Another friendly, another impossible job trying to predict Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI. Though, with a week and a half to go until the start of the Premier League season, maybe we’re edging closer to seeing a strongest Liverpool side or maybe even some 90-minute outings?
Having said that, I still expect Klopp to try out a couple of things against Red Bull Salzburg before taking on Man City at the weekend.After his four-goal haul against RB Leipzig, Darwin Nunez can come in to start and let’s unleash him alongside Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz for the first time.
If all goes well, that should be the Reds’ first choice front three this season. Joe Gomez can partner Virgil van Dijk, alongside the rest of the starting back four. Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott can start in midfield and reunite that right-sided triumvirate with Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
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