Liverpool’s Premier League opening day XI is now clear after Sunday’s behind closed doors friendly with Como
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Sunday was always going to give fans a big clue into how Andoni Iraola sees his current Liverpool squad.The Reds are playing twice against Como, with the first match taking place behind closed doors at the AXA Training Centre.With a full Anfield expected for the second game of the day, kicking off at 6pm, the first XI was likely to be a second-string XI, and that is exactly what happened, with Iraola’s choices betraying how he feels about his Liverpool players and their standing ahead of next weekend’s Premier League opener with Newcastle United. Are you happy with FSG’s decision to sell 30% of Liverpool?
Santiago/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista No real surprises in Iraola’s best XILooking through the team who played Como at the AXA on Sunday, and the only player who has a genuine chance of being in Iraola’s best XI is Alexis Mac Allister.Otherwise, the team was made up of a mix of young players like Luke Chambers, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni and fringe senior stars such as Wataru Endo and Kostas Tsimikas.Mac Allister’s involvement could be put down to the fact he only returned to training on Monday, but even he had been around all summer, it feels probable that he would drop out of the best Liverpool XI.Instead, Iraola will likely stick with Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai as a midfield two, with Florian Wirtz sitting ahead of them.READ MORE: How Bradley Barcola actually compares against Cody Gakpo since he joined LiverpoolPhoto by Jack Thomas/Getty ImagesAlexander Isak will obviously be the No. 9, while, judging by last week’s friendly and Sunday’s early selection, Cody Gakpo will be on the left and Rio Ngumoha on the right.The defence more or less picks itself, with the only real question being that of who will partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.Ronald Araujo is probably the favourite for now, although there is hope that Jeremy Jacquet will be involved later on at Anfield.
If he is, the Frenchman could take the spot.Jeremie Frimpong will be at right-back, Milos Kerkez on the left and Alisson Becker in goal, with none of that trio involved in Sunday’s first friendly.Many fans could possibly have picked this XI before a ball was kicked anywhere against Como, but Iraola’s choices have made it abundantly clear who will be in his thinking – and, crucially, who will not be – against Newcastle. Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox