(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Match

Mac Allister axed, four debuts - Liverpool predicted XI vs Crystal Palace

Declan Carr
Declan Carr

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at Sports Mole and VAVEL; Masters graduate from Liverpool John Moores University. FOCUS Breaking news, long-form analysis, and club-level insight across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Declan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the depth behind the headlines — from breaking news to analytical deep-dives — to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Liverpool gets their season underway against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Premier League champions face the FA Cup winners (10 August) in the FA Community Shield to kick off the new campaign.

Arne Slot's side have added several new players, and the Dutchman could hand out four debuts in his starting line-up for the contest.

However, Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are expected to miss the Wembley showcase through injury.

Joe Gomez
Gomez has been injury prone in the last few seasons. (Credit: Imago)

Slot to hand out four debuts in Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

Alisson is predicted to return after missing the double header against Athletic Bilbao (4 August) due to personal reasons.

Jeremie Frimpong is expected to feature on the right flank with Bradley out, while Milos Kerkez might get the nod on the left side of defence in a double debut.

Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk forged a formidable partnership last season, and that is expected to continue this season.

  • Liverpool conceded just 41 goals in the league with Van Dijk and Konate playing a huge part in that
Liverpool predicted XI v Crystal Palace.
Liverpool predicted XI v Crystal Palace.

Mac Allister axed due to fitness concerns

Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are predicted to start at the base of midfielder, as Alexis Mac Allister has only featured for 82 minutes in pre-season.

The Argentine midfielder was arguably the best in the top-flight last season, but he missed the majority of the Reds' preparation with an injury that he suffered at the back end of the last campaign.

Florian Wirtz might be handed his debut in the number 10 role, the German can also feature from the left wing but given the form of Cody Gakpo, the Dutchman is predicted to retain his spot.

  • Gakpo notched four goals and an assist in pre-season

Mohamed Salah is expected to start from the right side, the Egyptian will be looking to start off his campaign with a bang after a phenomenal campaign last time out.

  • Salah notched 29 goals and 18 assists in the league last season in a remarkable campaign

Hugo Ekitike is the only proper number nine at Slot's disposal, with Darwin Nunez set for a move to Saudi Arabia.

The Anfield outfit are trying to bring in Alexander Isak, but they have not made progress on that transfer, so the Frenchman leads the line on his debut.

If the Reds can get a positive result in the curtain-raiser, then sign the Newcastle star, it should put the rest of the league on notice, that Slot's side means business.

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Alexis Mac Allister
Arne Slot
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