Liverpool Set to Face Athletic Club Twice on Monday at Anfield
Liverpool will host Athletic Club for two friendly matches on Monday evening, with Arne Slot’s side returning to Anfield.
However, goalkeeper Alisson is unlikely to feature, having missed the recent match against Yokohama Marinos due to undisclosed personal reasons. He has returned to Brazil, and his availability for Monday remains doubtful.
Back in England, Federico Chiesa could make his return after sitting out the Asia tour with a muscle injury. Joe Gomez, however, is still recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in training last month.
Slot may opt for a stronger lineup in at least one of the games, as these fixtures serve as the final preparation before facing Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley.
Conor Bradley seems to have locked down the right-back position, starting alongside Van Dijk, Konate, and Kerkez in the previous outing—likely Slot’s preferred back four.
New signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz are expected to play, along with Mohamed Salah on the right wing.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister featured in the Yokohama match after a minor fitness issue and could start again. Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo, Andy Robertson, and young talents Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni will also be vying for game time.
Potential Starting XIs:
- First XI: Woodman; Frimpong, Endo, Tsimikas, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch, Ngumoha; Elliott, Nunez, Ngumoha
- Second XI: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike
Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, and Tyler Morton are facing uncertain futures at the club.
