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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle & Paul Gorst & Hannah Pinnock & Charlotte Coates

Liverpool line-ups as Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez decisions made for RB Leipzig

Paul Gorst - Less fringe players get a run-out

The big question this week is whether Jurgen Klopp decides to trim the number of players used during the friendlies significantly. So far, the Liverpool boss has largely opted to field three teams in each match, but with the Austria leg of the tour signalling a step up in fitness work, might we see less of the fringe players getting a run-out?

I think that might be part of the thinking so my team is going to reflect that. No Alisson Becker so I expect Adrian to start behind a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nat Phillips, Virgil van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas. Andy Robertson, Ibou Konate and Joel Matip can wait for the second half. Joe Gomez can deputise at right-back.

In midfield, I’m going with Jordan Henderson, Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott with Luis Diaz, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah up top. Darwin Nunez, Fabinho, Thiago and the rest of them to come at some stage.

My team: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Phillips, Tsimikas; Henderson, Carvalho, Elliott; Salah, Firmino, Diaz.

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Ian Doyle - First-half team the stronger one

The Red Bull tour begins for Liverpool in Leipzig this evening. And I think, at least for now, Jurgen Klopp will continue by giving his players 45 minutes maximum.

With another three warm-up games after this - and, yes, the Community Shield is more a friendly than ever this season - there's plenty of time to ramp up the game time before the Premier League season starts.

For me, the first-half team should be the stronger one. That means Adrian in goal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Andy Robertson on the other flank and, in a slight change, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.

In midfield, Fabinho can be in the holding role, with Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott completing the engine room. Up top, it's Darwin Nunez central, with Mohamed Salah right and Luis Diaz left.

The second half can start with Harvey Davies in goal. Isaac Mabaya is at right-back, with Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate the centre-backs and Kostas Tsimikas on the left.

Midfield is Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones and Naby Keita, with James Milner being given a rest. And in attack, Roberto Firmino is central, with Fabio Carvalho left and the returning Kaide Gordon on the right.

My first-half team (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Elliott; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.

My second-half team (4-3-3): Davies; Mabaya, Matip, Konate, Tsimikas; Henderson, Keita, Jones; Gordon, Firmino, Carvalho.

Hannah Pinnock - Time to see a Gomez-Konate partnership

With Alisson still nursing an injury, I expect Adrian to keep his place in the starting line-up. James Milner's versatility could see him utilised at right-back again, with Kostas Tsimikas on the opposite flank.

Jurgen Klopp has plenty of defensive options available, but I think it's time to see a Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate partnership. In midfield, Jordan Henderson started both games on the pre-season tour and I feel that will continue.

With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also picking up an injury against Crystal Palace, we might see some more experience in the centre of the field in Naby Keita. I expect Curtis Jones will also be in there.

Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino also started both games in the far east so they'll be called into action once again. This time, I think Harvey Elliott may be given a go on the right-hand side.

My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Milner, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas; Henderson, Keita, Jones; Diaz, Firmino, Elliott.

Charlotte Coates - Carvalho, Nunez and Salah up top

This will be Liverpool's third friendly of pre-season and we may see more of a settled team from Jurgen Klopp this time round as the start of the Premier League nears.

New boys Fabio Carvalho and Darwin Nunez will be hoping to get some more minutes under their belts as they look to show Liverpool fans why they should be excited about the new arrivals.

In goal will be Adrian as Alisson Becker is still absent after picking up an abdominal injury in training when out in Singapore. Trent Alexander-Arnold will start at right-back - and Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence. Greek international Kostas Tsimikas will be left-back.

The midfield three will consist of Harvey Elliott, Fabinho and former Leipzig star Naby Keita.

Fans will get another glimpse of the exciting Carvalho as he will start on the left of the front three with Nunez in the centre. Mohamed Salah will be named on the right of the forward trio.

My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Elliott, Keita; Salah, Nunez, Carvalho.

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