Cody Gakpo dropped, maestro returns – Liverpool predicted XI vs Bournemouth
Liverpool star Cody Gakpo could be dropped for the Premier League opener with Bournemouth on Friday evening.
The left-winger struggled in the penalty shootout loss to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley on 10 August.
The Anfield outfit’s attention now turns to the league as they host Andoni Iraola’s side on 15 August, looking to start their title defence with a win.
Conor Bradley is still injured and Ryan Gravenberch is suspended after picking up a red card in the final league game of last season.
However, Joe Gomez has returned to training after three weeks out with an Achilles problem.
Slot to stick with same defence for Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Arne Slot does not have many options to change his team around, with Liverpool in the market for Alexander Isak to solve their forward issues.
In terms of defence, they lack depth at centre back but are trying to resolve that with Marc Guehi and Giovanni Leoni on their shortlist.
For the clash with the Cherries, Slot is expected to stick with the same defence that started the Wembley showcase.
Alisson is expected to retain his place between the sticks after making two crucial saves against the Eagles, per Fotmob.
Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are predicted to keep their spots on either side of the backline, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate maintaining their partnership at centre-back.
- Van Dijk completed the most passes in the contest with Palace (70)
- Konate won 100% of his three aerial duels
Mac Allister returns for Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Alexis Mac Allister was a second-half substitute against Palace, but he is expected to return to the starting line-up on this occasion.
Curtis Jones might keep his starting spot alongside the Argentine after completing 100 per cent of his 53 passes against the FA Cup winners.
Dominik Szoboszlai created three chances and made six passes into the final third, and he is predicted to feature in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz starred on his competitive debut, taking four touches in the opposition box, creating four chances and assisting the opener, but he might feature from the left wing with Gakpo being axed.
- Gakpo had four touches in the opposition box and was dispossessed four times against the Eagles
Mohamed Salah is predicted to start from the right. The Egyptian struggled against Palace, taking just one shot and will be keen to put things right.
Hugo Ekitike is expected to complete the line-up. The Frenchman was brilliant on his competitive bow for the Reds, notching the opener with a superb turning effort.
Slot will be keen for his side to put a marker down on their title rivals, Arsenal and Manchester City and get off to the perfect start, and he has the attacking options to do so.
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