We have finally arrived to the first of many lineup predictions for this season. Liverpool begins their quest for a Premier League title under Arne Slot on Saturday Aug. 17th against newly promoted Ipswich Town.
There are a host of contenders for starting roles all over the pitch so it will be interesting to see what Slot goes with in this matchup.
The Reds should be comfortable favorites, even away from home, but I also expect them to come out on the front foot to send an early message of their title credentials this season.
So, for the first time this season I took a crack at how I think Liverpool will lineup for the match on Saturday. Let's get into it.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Virgil van Dijk (C), Andy Robertson
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai
Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz
Probable Subs: Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, Conor Bradley
Alisson getting the start is an obvious one here. In defense, Quansah has done more than enough to earn the Opening Day start alongside the skipper. Although he has not been back for long, Alexander-Arnold is too dynamic to leave off the pitch.
However, I don't expect him to play the full 90 and that is where Bradley comes in. Van Dijk is an obvious start as is Robbo.
The midfield could be a host of different names that take part from the beginning. However, Mac Allister is still the most polished option so he starts. Elliott had a sparkling preseason and he looks to have leveled up over the summer and he deserves the start.
Szoboszlai gets the final midfield nod, although it was razor thin. Endo could be a fine option to break up the counterattacks that will surely come from Ipswich, but he has looked a half-step slow in the friendlies.
Gravenberch is a more dynamic option and I would not be opposed to him getting the start, but I think we need to see a little more from him.
Moving up top, Darwin, having just gotten back and not played super well in the behind-closed-doors friendly should come off the bench. Gakpo as well.
Jota has looked very sharp in the leadup to the season opener and he could snag a goal or two in this one. Salah is a no-brainer as well and I expect him to wreak some havoc down the right side.