Liverpool will conclude their pre-season schedule on Monday with a unique double-header against Spanish side Athletic Club at Anfield. Manager Arne Slot is expected to field two completely different starting lineups for the two separate 90-minute matches as he finalises his preparations for the new season.
The fixtures will provide the first opportunity for the Anfield crowd to see the club’s host of new summer signings in action on home soil. Stars like Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong are all set to feature prominently across the two games.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club—Match 1 (5 p.m. BST): The first match could see a mix of established names and exciting new faces. Blockbuster signing Hugo Ekitike is expected to lead the line, getting his first taste of Anfield action. Fellow newcomers Milos Kerkez at left-back and potentially Freddie Woodman in goal could also start.
- Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Woodman; Bradley, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Elliott, Ngumoha; Ekitiké.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club—Match 2 (8 p.m. BST): The second game will likely feature the rest of the senior squad members who did not start the first match. Florian Wirtz, who scored his first goal for the club against Yokohama F. Marinos, is predicted to start in an attacking midfield role. Other new signings like goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and right-back Jeremie Frimpong are also expected to make their home debuts.
- Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konaté, Tsimikas, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo; Doak, Wirtz, Gakpo; Núñez.
Intriguingly, both Ibrahima Konaté and Darwin Núñez, whose futures at the club remain uncertain, are predicted to start in the second match. These friendlies are Arne Slot’s final chance to assess his new-look squad before the FA Community Shield against Crystal Palace.