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Florian Wirtz takes the corner kick during the MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE World Challenge 2025 presented by The Nippon Foundation match between Yokohama F•Marinos and Liverpool at Nissan Stadium on July 30, 2025(Image: Kaz Photography/Getty Images)

Liverpool play their final friendly matches of the summer this afternoon when the Reds entertain Athletic Club in two games at Anfield.

The double-header will mark the final warm-up games for Arne Slot's side before they face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday.

The first meeting between the two sides kicks off at 5pm at Anfield, before a second match gets underway at 8pm.



Slot will likely split his resources for the two games to allow his players to get as many minutes as possible as they step up their preparations for the new season.

And with new signings Florian Wirtz, Huge Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili all still settling it, all eyes will be on Anfield to see how the defending Premier League champions look ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

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But how should Liverpool line-up for the two games?

He can be with the 5pm side, purely because he's suspended for the Premier League opener against AFC Bournemouth, and is partnered by Trey Nyoni.

Harvey Elliott starts at number 10, flanked by Ben Doak and Rio Ngumoha, with Darwin Nunez leading the line.

Meanwhile, it's a stronger side at 8pm with Alisson in goal and an unchanged back four from the side that started against Yokohama.

Curtis Jones partners Dominik Szoboszlai, with Alexis Mac Allister limited to substitute duty as he steps up his return from injury.

Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo are on the flanks with Florian Wirtz at number 10, and Hugo Ekitike upfront.

My 5pm team (4-2-3-1:) Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Endo, Gomez/Tsimikas, Robertson; Gravenberch, Nyoni; Doak, Elliott, Ngumoha; Nunez.

My 8pm team (4-2-3-1:) Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

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Against AC Milan, the Reds showed some real class going forward but were exposed time and again on the break by the Italian giants.

Then in the game against Yokohama, Liverpool struggled to assert their authority in the early goings before finally turning the screw late in the match.

It's why in these two games I'd like to see Arne Slot pick two sides that offer an opportunity to what may be his first choice XI, before a strong second string can stake their claim to break into that team in the other game.

The likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike feature in the 'stronger' line-up, for me.

With Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez lining up in the second side.

Full-back and attack are two areas in which Slot has options to change things, so it'll be intriguing what he picks for his side.

My 5pm team (4-2-3-1:) Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Endo, Gomez/Tsimikas, Kerkez; Jones, Nyoni; Doak, Elliott, Ngumoha; Nunez.

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My 8pm team (4-2-3-1:) Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.