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

Liverpool Predicted XI vs Leeds: Wirtz, Isak and Gravenberch in Focus

Pre-season can be a scruffy business, full of changed teams, heavy legs and half-finished ideas. Even so, there are times when it offers a proper glimpse of what may be coming. Liverpool’s meeting with Leeds at Soldier Field feels like one of those nights.

Andoni Iraola has already overseen wins against Sunderland and Wrexham, but this game carries a bit more weight. The reason is simple enough. Some of the bigger names are finally back in the mix. Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are all available after returning from World Cup duty, and that changes the look of things straight away.

Photo: IMAGO

Iraola Options Begin to Open

The squad has been stretched by summer commitments and injuries, so Iraola has had little choice but to shuffle the pack. Giorgi Mamardashvili and Harvey Elliot have been the only two to start both friendlies so far, which tells its own story about where fitness levels stand.

There is more help on the way. Jeremy Jacquet, the £60m signing whose move was confirmed long ago before being completed in June, is back in contention after injury and could even start. Victor Munoz remains away after Spain’s World Cup success, while Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister are still on extended breaks.

Defence and Midfield Taking Shape

Joe Gomez is unavailable after suffering an injury against Sunderland, and there is concern that it may affect the start of the Premier League campaign. Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni also remain sidelined.

Jeremie Frimpong looks ready to return at right-back, with Milos Kerkez expected to start on the left. In the middle, Jacquet may be partnered by one of the young centre-backs, with Ifeanyi Ndukwe appearing the likeliest option. In midfield, Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai would give Liverpool greater control and a bit more punch.

Wirtz and Isak Add Proper Edge

Further forward, this is where it gets interesting. Wirtz brings imagination and sharpness between the lines, while Rio Ngumoha has earned another opportunity after his goal against Wrexham. Alexander Isak could lead the line, looking to build momentum after a testing first campaign.

Predicted Liverpool XI vs Leeds, 4-2-3-1: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Jacquet, Ndukwe, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Abe; Isak.

Kick-off is 9pm BST on Sunday, August 2, in Chicago. Pre-season may not tell the full story, but this one should reveal a fair bit more than the first two outings.