Liverpool Starting XI vs Crystal Palace: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: How will Arne Slot Setup for the FA Community Shield Final?

Football is finally back this weekend and so are the champions of England. Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield final at Wembley Stadium as Arne Slot eyes his second trophy since his arrival on Merseyside.

It has been a chaotic summer on and off the pitch for the Reds. The likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have all come through the door, whilst familiar faces like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Jarell Quansah have all left.

The tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva transcended the sport and there will be an emotional tribute to the Liverpool forward on Sunday.

With that being said, let’s take a look at what we think will be Liverpool’s first ‘competitive’ lineup of the season…

A New-Look Defensive Line

After arriving from Valencia for £29m this summer, Giorgi Mamardashvili was expected to offer depth and competition to Alisson Becker. However, with the Brazilian only returning to training on Thursday, the Georgian keeper will get the nod on this occasion.

Another two new faces will take the full-back spots. Jeremie Frimpong will likely start at right-back as Conor Bradley continues to struggle for fitness. £40m signing Milos Kerkez has made the left-back role his own and will keep Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas out of the side.

Photo: IMAGO

The world-class duo of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will provide some familiarity to Liverpool’s back line as the only two fit senior centre-back options. Joe Gomez remains unavailable for this one, with Wataru Endo the potential replacement at the back if needed.

Verdict: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez

Familiar Faces in Midfield

After an incredible breakthrouhg season last year, Ryan Gravenberch will keep his role at the base of Liverpool’s midfield. Alexis Mac Allister is still building his minutes back up after two months out, so Dominik Szoboszlai will drop deeper to play alongside the Dutchman.

Record-breaking signing Florian Wirtz will feature as the most advanced midfielder. The new number seven was an absolute joy to watch in Liverpool’s final pre-season game against Athletic Bilbao on Monday.

Photo: IMAGO

Curtis Jones will join Mac Allister on the bench for this one and both will be eyeing minutes at some point in the game.

Verdict: Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz

Slot’s New Number Nine

The chase for Alexander Isak has dominated the headlines recently, but that can finally be paused for at least 90 minutes. Instead, we get to watch the brilliant Hugo Ekitike start up-front for the Reds.

Ekitike will be joined by the usual suspects on the flanks. Mohamed Salah off the right-wing and Cody Gakpo on the opposite side to complete the front line.

Verdict: Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo

Starting XI: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo

Bench: Alisson, Stephenson, Endo, Robertson, Tsimikas, Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott, Ngumoha