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But while Alisson Becker has returned to Merseyside because of a 'personal matter' and Luis Diaz is closing in on a move to Bayern Munich, the Dutchman's hand should be a little stronger in Tokyo.

Hugo Ekitike could be handed a Liverpool debut after completing his £69m move from Eintracht Frankfurt last week, while Alexis Mac Allister is back in team training after missing the end of last season through injury.

As the Reds continue their pre-season preparations, our writers take a look at how Liverpool could line up against the Japanese outfit...



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It's about time Arne Slot at least edged a little nearer to the team that is likely to start the Premier League season.

So I'd be going super strong with a side that can be changed completely at half-time.

The lack of centre-backs means Wataru Endo can mark his return to Japan by playing in the position alongside Virgil van Dijk, while the rest of the defence can be made up of new signings Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal and full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

Florian Wirtz can continue in the number 10 role, and Hugo Ekitike can have his first outing by leading the line.

Rio Ngumoha deserves another go on the left flank.

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If Darwin Nunez is available - and he should be after taking part in training - he can begin the second half up front with the rest of the changes largely obvious, Andy Robertson fitting in at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate.

My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Endo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Ekitike.

I'd throw Hugo Ekitike straight into the starting XI against Yokohama.

Let's see what Liverpool's new striker is all about, with Florian Wirtz supplying the goods from his favoured number 10 position.

Wataru Endo gets a start in his native Japan, but it comes at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk with the Reds hopefully a little more solid defensively than they were against AC Milan.

With Alisson Becker no longer in Asia, Giorgi Mamardashvili starts in goal.

And Rio Ngumoha continues on the left-wing as he is given another chance to impress from the start.

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My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Endo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Nyoni, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Ekitike