CHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, July 7, 2018: Liverpool's goalkeeper Loris Karius during a preseason friendly match between Chester FC and Liverpool FC at the Deva Stadium. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

Confirmed Liverpool lineup vs. Blackburn: Karius starts in Reds’ domestic closer

Jurgen Klopp has named his starting XI as Liverpool face Blackburn in their fourth pre-season match of the summer on Thursday evening.

The Reds have already beaten Chester and Tranmere, and drawn with Bury, with this match at Ewood Park completing the first leg of Klopp’s summer plans.

These four games against north-west opposition have heavily featured young players and those returning from loan spells, with tonight no exception.

First-team names have gradually returned though, after extended summer holidays thanks to international involvement.

Gini Wijnaldum and Danny Ings are both missing through injury, however, while Danny Ward is missing from the squad list as he is on the verge of a move to Leicester City.

Loris Karius, therefore, keeps his place, ahead of Alisson‘s world-record move to Liverpool.

Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan and Alberto Moreno make up the back four, with James Milner and Ben Woodburn likely to line up in midfield.

Sheyi Ojo and Divock Origi can be expected to flank Adam Lallana in support of Dominic Solanke in attack.

CHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, July 7, 2018: Liverpool's Pedro Chirivella and Ryan Kent sign autographs before a preseason friendly match between Chester FC and Liverpool FC at the Deva Stadium. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

Both Pedro Chirivella and Ryan Kent are omitted along with Ward, with the young pair likely to seal loan moves in the coming days.

This ensures a rare sighting of Lazar Markovic, who is included in the matchday squad for the first time this pre-season.

Liverpool first-half XI: Karius; Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Moreno; Milner, Woodburn; Ojo, Lallana, Origi; Solanke

Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Phillips, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Keita, Jones, Markovic, Camacho, Sturridge

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