Wirtz starts as new signing watches on – Liverpool predicted XI v Preston
Liverpool return to action this weekend against Preston North End.
The Reds were crowned as Premier League champions last season and will be looking to retain their crown under Arne Slot.
However, their preparations for pre-season have been devastated by the tragic death of Diogo Jota last Thursday (3 July).
There were questions over whether the game on 13 July would go ahead given the circumstances, but Slot’s side will fulfil the fixture.
Wirtz to make Liverpool debut v Preston
Giorgi Mamardashvili has been brought in to compete with Alisson for a first-team berth, but the Brazilian is expected to get the nod against the Championship side.
Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong will fight it out for the starting role at right-back, but the Dutchman is predicted to start on this occasion.
Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk might retain their places at centre-back despite Joe Gomez being back in contention after injury ruled him out towards the back end of last season.
Milos Kerkez could start over Andy Robertson after signing for £40million from Bournemouth earlier this summer.
At the base of midfield, Wataru Endo is predicted to partner Alexis Mac Allister, with Ryan Gravenberch rested after his exertion last time out.
Florian Wirtz, who was signed for an initial £100m from Bayer Leverkusen, is expected to get the nod in the number 10 role, with Dominik Szoboszlai having to settle for a place on the bench.
Luis Diaz has been linked with a Liverpool exit, but he might feature from the left flank with Mohamed Salah starting on the opposite side.
Finally, Darwin Nunez is predicted to lead the line and potentially put himself in the shop window with interested teams watching on.
Liverpool face a difficult pre-season
It will be a strange pre-season for the Anfield side, as the players and staff cope with the loss of one of their colleagues.
People deal with grief differently, so it is difficult to know how it will affect the squad. It could motivate them even further to go and retain their title, or it could impact them negatively; we do not know yet.
One thing is for sure: Jota will never be forgotten; he will be Liverpool’s number 20 forever, and the season will be about remembering him.
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