Liverpool get their title defence underway under the lights at Anfield.

Pre-season is over and now it is crunch time for the Reds, with Arne Slot’s side tasked with raising the curtain on the new Premier League season.

They face Bournemouth in their opening game, with many of their new signings expected to be handed their official Anfield debuts, much to the excitement of fans.

Report: Alexander Isak has just made a big personal decision ahead of potentially signing for Liverpool	Liverpool XI vs Bournemouth: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League	Baleba vs Hjulmand: Data reveals ideal candidate for Man United midfield vacancy

Slot may have an idea of what his best XI is but there is always a chance he throws up some surprises, something we think he might do based on the starting lineup we are predicting him to field.

With Liverpool already technically playing a match this season after their defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, that game might be able to suggest how the Reds might line up.

Alisson Becker started in goal that day despite an interrupted pre-season, so he is basically nailed on to start between the sticks on the opening day.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will be the usual centre-back pairing, not just because they are one of the best duos but because Liverpool do not really have any other options.

Jeremie Frimpong impressed against Palace and will likely start due to the slight injury Conor Bradley picked up earlier in the summer, while the first big decision we think Slot will make is to drop Milos Kerkez.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

The Hungarian struggled a bit at Wembley and might be left out just as a precaution, with the more than capable Andy Robertson coming into the team to prove himself once again.

Slot also has a selection problem in the middle of the park too, with it stemming from the fact that Ryan Gravenberch is suspended due to the red card he picked up on the final day of last season.

And, with Alexis Mac Allister also still having his minutes managed due to injury, we think both Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai will start the game instead.

READ MORE: Arne Slot says ‘outstanding’ Liverpool player could start on the bench vs Bournemouth tomorrow

Calls for Endo to start have been made due to Liverpool’s defensive frailties at the back this summer, while as Mac Allister played just 20 minutes against Palace, that suggests he is not ready so the Hungarian might start instead.

Just in front of them will, of course, be record signing Florian Wirtz, with the German not letting the price tag get to him and being ready to hit the ground running.

Rio Ngumoha has excelled in pre-season and will likely make the bench, but starting the game feels a step too far for the 16-year-old.

Instead, it will likely be the same front three that played the Community Shield and what seems to be developing into Slot’s preferred options.

This means Mohamed Salah will start on the right, Cody Gakpo on the left and Hugo Ekitike leading the line for his Premier League debut.