PREDICTED LIVERPOOL LINE-UP AGAINST DARMSTADT

Liverpool play their final pre-season friendly of the summer against SV Darmstadt 98 this evening (19.00 BST).

The Reds meet the newly promoted Bundesliga side at Preston North End’s Deepdale as Anfield redevelopment continues. With Liverpool’s 2023–24 Premier League curtain-raiser against Chelsea taking place this Sunday, Jurgen Klopp will certainly hope for plenty of positive aspects from his side against Darmstadt.

So far, the Reds have won games against Leicester City and Karlsruher while drawing 4-4 against Greuther Furth. The last time out, however, the team lost to Bayern Munich 4-3. Klopp wasn’t too disheartened by the loss to the German champions in Singapore, although he will want improvements, particularly defensively.

The final exhibition game before competitive action starts will give Klopp a chance to run the rule over his troops for a final time. The team he selects may hint at the Chelsea trip. With that in mind, here’s the team predicted to face Darmstadt in the matchup.

1. GK - Alisson Becker

The Brazil No. 1 made some fine saves against Bayern and didn’t deserve to concede four times.

2. RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool will have to plug the gap much better when the newly-appointed vice captain roams into midfield, as Bayern exposed it to a greater extent.

3. CB - Ibrahima Konate

More mobile than Joel Matip and better suited to covering Alexander-Arnold.

4. CB - Virgil van Dijk

He netted in his first game as captain, but a clean sheet will be what he’s most focused on.

5. LB - Andy Robertson

Attacking strengths have been slightly diminished in the revised system, but he’ll look to get forward when possible.

6. CM - Curtis Jones

Not particularly suited to the number-six role but may have to do so again as Liverpool push to sign Romeo Lavia

7. CM - Dominik Szoboszlai

He has done well so far in preseason, with his set-pieces and passing catching the eye. A first chance for home fans to see him.

8. CM - Alexis Mac Allister

Shown glimpses so far during pre-season and will only improve. Could be the conduit between the midfield and the attack.

9. RW - Mo Salah

He's only scored once in pre-season so far and he’ll be determined to continue Chelsea's game

10. ST - Cody Gakpo

There is strong competition for the center-forward position, and Gakpo may get a chance to propel himself to the top of the pecking order.

11. LW - Luis Diaz

Been electric in pre-season and may have started against Chelsea.