Liverpool play their final friendly fixture before the new campaign gets underway in earnest next weekend.
The Premier League champions take on L eague One side Blackpool at Anfield, looking to put their FA Community Shield defeat on penalties behind them.
Jurgen Klopp is without a number of players who are away on international duty but some could return from injury, and our writers have picked their line ups for the game below:
Opportunity to experiment
Chris Beesley: After last weekend’s Community Shield, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a last chance to look at his options ahead of starting the defence of the Premier League title, although the Reds boss will be without some of his stars on international duty.
While he’ll no doubt have one eye on the clash against newly-promoted Leeds United at Anfield, the visit of Blackpool is still an opportunity to experiment and blood some of Liverpool’s promising youngsters.
Klopp will be hoping that left-back is no longer a problem position for the Reds in the season ahead but with Andy Robertson and new boy Kostas Tsimikas both on international duty – and the latter reported to have now picked up an illness – there might well have to be a square peg in a round hole against the Seasiders.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Hoever, Milner, Matip, Koumetio; Fabinho, Keita, Jones; Elliott, Origi, Minamino.
Minamino to show impact
Peter Harris: The last moment of preparation before the new Premier League season is a chance for experimentation.
Jurgen Klopp needs to figure out what his plan B will be this term, particularly if no major transfers are to be made before the October 6 deadline.
With a handful of Reds unavailable due to international duty, there's a chance for young defenders like Billy Koumetio to really show what he could offer, maybe a Dejan Lovren replacement is already in the ranks?
How should Liverpool lineup vs Blackpool? Let us know in the comments below
Beside him, Matip makes a welcome return as he is in need for some minutes while James Milner can provide experience deputising at leftback once more.
The regular front three in Salah, Mane and Firmino are all available but the Reds boss knows what they offer. He needs to see how a trio of Minamino, Origi and even Shaqiri can bring to the table if they are really to make an impact in the upcoming campaign.
If Minamino makes as much of an impact as he did against Arsenal, he could give Klopp a selection dilemma by the time Leeds United turn up at Anfield.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson, Hoever, Koumetio, Matip, Milner, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Minamino, Origi, Shaqiri
Koumetio's opportunity
Mark Wakefield: Today’s friendly against Blackpool will be Klopp’s final opportunity to cast an eye over his players in match action before next weeks’ Premier League opener.
The Reds boss will be without a number of key players who are away on international duty, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez, Gini Wijnaldum and Neco Williams all away from Melwood.
This gives Klopp the chance to look at some of his more fringe players in the Anfield surroundings.
Young centre-back Billy Koumetio could be given an opportunity from the start after impressing out in Austria.
Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip and Divock Origi have all returned to training following respective injuries, and could play a part against Blackpool this afternoon.
That being said, in the case of Origi, with the league opener against Leeds only a week away, Klopp may feel going with his tried and trusted front three may be the way to go, at least from the start.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Hoever, Koumetio, Matip, Milner, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Firmino, Mane
*Do you play Fantasy Premier League? Do you back yourself to use your chips in the right gameweeks, and nail your captain every single time? Now is your chance to prove it – and win some prizes in the process.
