Liverpool face a unique challenge as they prepare to play two matches in one day, welcoming Sevilla and Las Palmas to Anfield for friendlies. This double-header not only provides an opportunity for the team to gain valuable minutes on the pitch before the start of the Premier League season but also allows new head coach Arne Slot to familiarize himself with his new surroundings.
Predicting the team lineups for these matches is a difficult task, especially considering the tight schedule and the presence of a new coach. However, it is safe to assume that players won’t be involved in both matches, given the time gap between the two games. One player who may not feature in the predicted lineups is Andy Robertson, who has recently returned to full training and is more likely to be used as a substitute.
Additionally, eight players who dropped away from first-team training this week due to the return of Liverpool’s best-performing internationals are unlikely to start. Players like Amara Nallo, Owen Beck, James McConnell, Luca Stephenson, Trey Nyoni, and Kaide Gordon are expected to be used as substitutes. Furthermore, Fabio Carvalho, who has just agreed to join Brentford, is highly unlikely to be involved.
In the first match against Sevilla, Liverpool could line up with a defense that performed well in the USA, with Harvey Elliott as the most attacking midfielder. Ben Doak, who usually favors the right side, could play on the left to maintain fitness ahead of an impending loan move. The lineup could be as follows: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van den Berg, Tsimikas; Jones, Szobozslai, Elliott; Salah, Jota, Doak.
The second match against Las Palmas could feature a lineup mainly composed of players who haven’t had as much time to learn from Slot. There may be a conundrum regarding who plays on the left wing between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, with the latter impressing in that position during Euro 2024. However, there should be room for rotation during the game, allowing both players time in their natural positions. The lineup could be as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Nunez, Diaz.
Alternatively, Slot may choose to mix things up and immediately integrate players like Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister. In this scenario, Caoimhin Kelleher would make way for Alisson, and Sepp van den Berg would take his place on the bench. The lineup against Sevilla could be as follows: Alisson; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott; Salah, Jota, Gakpo.
In the match against Las Palmas, it seems likely that Wataru Endo, who may not be one of Slot’s favored midfielders this season, would have a chance to play. Surrounded by quality players, Endo would have an opportunity to prove his adaptability to Slot’s holding midfield role. The alternative lineup against Las Palmas could be as follows: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van den Berg, Gomez; Endo, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Diaz, Nunez, Doak.
While these friendlies are primarily played for fitness reasons, they also provide insights into how the team is evolving under new management. Whether the starting lineup is mismatched or familiar, it is the specific elements of the performance that matter the most, rather than the overall result. These matches serve as crucial preparation for Liverpool as they gear up for the upcoming Premier League season.