Why are Liverpool playing Athletic Club twice, which players could feature?
Liverpool return to Anfield to take on Athletic Club as the Reds continue their pre-season preparations.
Arne Slot’s side were recently in Asia on their pre-season tour, which consisted of games against AC Milan and Yokohama FM.
Liverpool’s next friendly against the La Liga outfit is somewhat unconventional, with two fixtures being played back to back on Monday (4 August).
Supporters will have access to both games with the purchase of their ticket, with the first game kicking off at 5pm, followed by a second fixture at 8pm.
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike both expected to feature
Liverpool have organised the two 90-minute games as a chance for Slot to get a look at pretty much every member of his squad in a game scenario, rather than having to make multiple substitutions.
The fact that there are two games will allow Slot to hand out meaningful minutes to the entire first team squad, with marquee signings like Wirtz and Ekitike expected to feature at Anfield for the first time.
It is unclear whether one of the sides Slot chooses will be considerably stronger than the other.
Given that the Community Shield fixture at Wembley against Crystal Palace is scheduled to take place on August 10, it would make sense for Slot to continue integrating his new signings alongside their new teammates.
- Liverpool’s defence: Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong would benefit from playing alongside the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Allison and Ibrahima Konate.
- The new frontline will gain valuable experience: It will be interesting to see how Mohamed Salah, Wirtz, and Ekitike all gel together in the same side and how they work as a potential front three.
The Reds did a similar thing last summer, taking on both Sevilla and Las Palmas on the same day.
With last season’s pre-season preparations evidently working as Liverpool won the Premier League, those in L4 will hope it yields the same success for the upcoming campaign.
Final opportunities for players to fight for their Liverpool future
With the entire first-team squad expected to feature at various stages, it is the last opportunity for players who were on the fringes of Slot’s squad last season to prove their worth before the new campaign.
If Harvey Elliott, for example, wants to stay in Merseyside and fight for his place in the Liverpool team, he must make a good impression against Athletic Club.
Other players like Cody Gakpo also go into the game with a point to prove, with the Dutchman aiming to force his way into the starting XI on the left wing.
However, with a blockbuster signing who can play in this position already in Wirtz, it is up to Gakpo to force Slot into having to having to shoehorn the German into his midfield instead.
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