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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

The Liverpool team that could start the first pre-season match

Liverpool's fans will be forgiven for still celebrating the Reds' Champions League success, but it's less than a month until Jurgen Klopp's players are back in action.

The Reds begin the first of their 10 games before the start of the new Premier League season against Tranmere on July 11, with the European champions visiting Prenton Park for an evening kick-off.

With Liverpool set to pack participation in the Community Shield and Super Cup into their usual pre-season schedule, Klopp and his squad face a busy few weeks.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp before kick-off against Tranmere during a pre-season friendly at Prenton Park (James Maloney)

The Reds as Klopp gets set to put his players through their paces alongside right-hand men Andreas Kornmayer and Pep Lijnders.

However, not everyone will be pushing through the hard yards at Melwood next month, with specially-tailored training programmes designed to give the players who need - and deserve - some extra time off a chance to recuperate.

So who could Liverpool be fielding when they make the short trip through the Mersey tunnel on July 11?

Goalkeeper

Simon Mignolet of Liverpool lifting the Champions League trophy (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Alisson Becker's participation at the Copa America with Brazil will give Simon Mignolet the chance for a rare return to first-team action.

The Belgian shot-stopper hasn't featured for the Reds since January and provided he remains at the club, he will start at Prenton Park.

However, the former Sunderland man is likely to be the subject of interest from elsewhere this summer, which could hand an opportunity to young Irishman Caoimhin Kelleher.

Academy coaches have high hopes for Kelleher and he was unofficially viewed as third choice last year, while Polish keeper Kamil Grabara was sent out on loan.

Defence

Lovren and Matip target Harry Kane (Getty)

July will see the Liverpool return of Nathaniel Clyne and the right-back could be back in the Reds' defence when they kick off against Micky Mellon's side.

As mentioned, with Klopp keen to offer his key man ample rest, 20-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be given a breather after his considerable exertions over the last 12 months.

Clyne's future remains uncertain at the club, but he could play a part at Prenton Park alongside a possible centre-back pairing of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.

Neither player has any international commitments post-season, so should be in line to feature. Talented young Dutch defender Ki-Jana Hoever might also play a part.

Nathaniel Clyne of Bournemouth in action on his debut during the FA Cup third round match against Brighton (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The 17-year-old made his first-team debut at Wolves in the FA Cup in January and Academy insiders have huge hopes for the Amsterdam-born centre-back.

Left-back remains a bit of mystery at present. Andy Robertson is another who could be afforded an extra rest after his remarkable campaign.

The Scotland captain was involved for his nation last week, too, but the Reds have something of a issue on the left side of their defence.

Alberto Moreno will officially leave the club at the end of the month, so perhaps it is a chance for Adam Lewis to step up?

The technically gifted Lewis doesn't turn 20 until November, but has already caught the eye by progressing through the ranks of the club's Kirkby Academy.

Ki-Jana Hoever during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at Molineux on January 7, 2019 (Photo by Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images)

The 19-year-old Lewis has also trained with the first team and was part of the squad that travelled to Marbella for the warm-weather training camp earlier this year.

The versatile defender is yet to make a senior appearance for the Reds, but given Klopp's willingness to trust in youth, a chance may be forthcoming for the teenager at some point next season.

Midfield

The midfield make-up at Prenton Park might be a little more familiar. Fabinho is not involved at the Copa America and James Milner's international career is firmly behind him.

The evergreen Milner was the bleep-test champion at Melwood last year, but at the age of 33, could he be set for further time off ahead of another energy-sapping season?

Liverpool's Alex Oxlade Chamberlain films We Are The Champions chants on team bus

Marko Grujic could make his now annual cameo during pre-season, despite a range of inquiries about his availability, while Adam Lallana will surely play a part, injury permitting.

One player who will be desperate to make up for lost time is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Fit again, the former Arsenal star will be eager to put down an early marker to his manager after a serious, long-term knee injury ruined his campaign last time out. Expect him to start and, probably, be Liverpool's sharpest player.

Forwards

Divock Origi with the European Cup (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

No Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino for this one and Daniel Sturridge will have left the club by July 11.

Divock Origi, despite a season that was littered with iconic moments, was used only sparingly by Klopp, so expect the Belgian frontman to start in Wirral.

Rhian Brewster is also likely to kick-start what Liverpool hope will be a brilliant career. The young striker would have made his first-team bow by now had it not been a serious leg injury that kept him sidelined for over a year.

The club have polished a gem and nurtured Brewster's rare talent to the brink of the first team with the European champions.

He will get the chance to stake a claim against the recently-promoted Tranmere.

As the ECHO revealed last week, Harry Wilson will be given the pre-season schedule to prove he belongs long term at Anfield.

A successful loan spell with Derby has made Klopp decide to take a closer look at the former Under-23 captain and he will play a part against Mellon's League Two side.

Others

Curtis Jones of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood (John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

As is customary with pre-season friendlies, the changes will be rung throughout, handing game-time to players such as Curtis Jones, Rafa Camacho, Ben Woodburn and Ryan Kent.

Youngster such as Rhys Williams, Bobby Adekanye and George Johnston might also get the call as Klopp bulks up the numbers.

Predicted XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Lewis; Milner, Fabinho, Lallana; Wilson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Origi.

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