Liverpool will take part in their final pre-season fixture on Monday evening as Jurgen Klopp’s side prepare to face German opposition for the fourth time this summer.
The Reds kicked off their schedule with a 4-2 win over Karlsruher before scoring a further four goals against Greuther Fürth five days later in a 4-4 draw. Leicester City were then comfortably dispatched, though Bayern Munich found a way to beat Liverpool on Wednesday after rallying from two goals down.
A final test awaits the Reds at Deepdale, the home of Preston North End, as Darmstadt make the trip to England ahead of a DFB-Pokal fixture on August 14. For both teams, this represents a final opportunity to assess the areas in which they need to improve before gearing up for another gruelling campaign.
After suffering a 4-3 loss to Bayern earlier this week, should Liverpool boss Klopp consider changing up his side or give the same players another opportunity against Darmstadt
It makes sense for only one man to be starting between the sticks for the Reds, and that would be Alisson Becker. Caoimhin Kelleher was handed chances against Karlsruher and Leicester, though is unlikely to earn a place in the team as Liverpool step up their preparations for facing Chelsea in their Premier League opener on August 13.
The same applies in defence, where Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson appear likely to retain their places, joined by Ibrahima Konate. Alexander-Arnold will, of course, be given the license to move into advanced areas as part of this system, with his team-mates at the back needing to be alert in case of attacking advances from Darmstadt.
Curtis Jones was trialled as a No.6 against Bayern, an experiment that did not exactly go to plan, though there are not many other options for Klopp to turn to in this position after the exits of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. Supporters will be hopeful Romeo Lavia may have been signed by the time Monday’s game comes around. However, this will only prove possible if the Reds are prepared to up meet Southampton’s £50m asking price.
Elsewhere in midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai is set for another start but Alexis Mac Allister may not be risked after picking up a knock on Wednesday. Harvey Elliott and Bobby Clark will benefit as a result of this and are the two main contenders for the final slot in this area of the pitch.
Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago are expected to be back in team training ahead of Monday’s showdown, ensuring the Spanish duo are also in contention. Starts for both individuals may be considered unlikely, however, with an appearance from the bench a more likely outcome.
Blessed with options in attack, Klopp’s selection in the final third could provide a hint as to who he is leaning towards as his go-to front three for Premier League fixtures. Cody Gakpo would be desperately unlucky to be dropped after his well-taken goal on Wednesday, though Diogo Jota could be scarified in place of Luis Diaz to join Mohamed Salah in the starting XI.
Possible Liverpool XI to face Darmstadt: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Jones, Elliott, Diaz, Gakpo, Salah.
Leave a Reply