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Sport | Football

German playmaker is one of several summer signings in line for a competitive debut at Wembley

Florian Wirtz is expected to start for Liverpool against Crystal Palace

London Standard

Tashan Deniran-Alleyne1 minute ago

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Florian Wirtz is set to make his competitive debut for Liverpool in this weekend’s Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace.

The Reds smashed their transfer record, splashing out £116million, earlier in the summer to bring the German playmaker to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen and he’s enjoyed an impressive pre-season.

Scoring in the 3-1 win over Yokohama FM during Liverpool’s tour of Asia, Wirtz’s chances of starting in his favoured role behind the striker have increased with Arne Slot confirming Alexis Mac Allister is unlikely to start.

“He will be in the squad,” Slot said in the pre-match press conference.

“He was out for two months I think, or longer because we didn’t play him in the last four games of the season.

“He trained with us since a week now, played 30 minutes, 45 minutes.

“So that’s not a situation where you would start a player [and] play him for 90 minutes.

Starting is possible but definitely not for 90 minutes.”

In Mac Allister’s absence, Dominik Szoboszlai could start alongside Ryan Gravenberch at the base of Liverpool’s midfield, thus allowing Wirtz to roam and create goalscoring opportunities for the forwards.

Fellow summer signings Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike are in contention to start, but Milos Kerkez may have to settle for a place on the bench with Andy Robertson still the senior man at left-back.

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Youngster Rio Ngumoha has caught the eye in pre-season, but Cody Gakpo’s brace against Athletic Club is likely to see him complete the front three alongside Ekitike and Mohamed Salah.

Alisson Becker and captain Virgil van Dijk missed the friendly double-header on Monday, but both players took part in full training on Thursday so should be available for selection.

Joe Gomez is not yet ready to return from injury, though he should be back with the team “very soon”.

Conor Bradley is also set to sit this one out with a minor knock.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Injured: Gomez, Bradley

Time and date: 3pm BST on Sunday August 10, 2025

How to watch: TNT Sports

Venue: Wembley Stadium

MORE ABOUT

Florian Wirtz

community shield

Alexis Mac Allister

Arne Slot

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