Liverpool is set to play its final friendly fixture of the season against Darmstadt later today. Jürgen Klopp could give a hint as to his thinking before Chelsea.
Liverpool squad vs. Darmstadt predicted as Jürgen Klopp teases Chelsea and Luis Daz begins
Liverpool plays SV Darmstadt 98 of the German Bundesliga for the last time during preseason today. As Anfield’s reconstruction continues, the game will be played at Preston North End’s Deepdale stadium.
With only six days until the start of the new season against Chelsea, Jürgen Klopp is likely to use primarily veteran players who will be featured when the season begins, rather than offering minutes to youthful stars. Klopp’s starting XI could reveal his choices for next weekend’s trip to the city. Liverpool squad vs. Darmstadt predicted
There are still some major holes in Klopp’s squad to be filled in the transfer market with the pursuit of Southampton midfielder Roméo Lavia ongoing but the players already at Liverpool are the ones most likely to play against Chelsea on the opening day.
Even if Lavia arrived today, the 19-year-old is unlikely to be involved at Stamford Bridge on such short notice. That means Curtis Jones will likely start at number six again today, with an eye toward starting him there next Sunday.
Alisson Becker is expected to start between the posts, with Caoimhn Kelleher and some of the other keepers sharing minutes throughout the summer. With the new season just around the corner, the Brazilian might as well keep himself prepared and in rhythm.
Jol Matip started ahead of Ibrahima Konaté at center-back in the previous friendly, but the Frenchman is expected to pair Virgil van Dijk when the season begins and thus should play today.
In midfield, it will be intriguing to see if Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai are paired together again, as they were against Bayern Munich. That seems most likely.
