Jurgen Klopp has named Divock Origi in his starting lineup as Liverpool take on Borussia Dortmund tonight, on the first stop of their US tour in South Bend.
The Reds arrived in America earlier this week, and have been training in Indiana in preparation for a three-game jaunt that begins against Klopp’s old club.
Dortmund provide a significant step up in competition after Liverpool’s victories over Tranmere and Bradford, and will serve as a closer comparison to the sides on the fixture list in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, injuries and absences ensure Klopp has maintained a youthful edge to his squad in the States, which is reflected on the teamsheet.
Simon Mignolet keeps his place between the sticks, with youngster Dan Atherton and veteran Andy Lonergan among the subs.
Ahead of the Belgian are Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Yasser Larouci.
In midfield, Fabinho starts in the No. 6 role, flanked by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner.
And tasked with providing the goals, at least in the first half, Origi, Ryan Kent and Harry Wilson line up in attack.
Klopp is then set to rotate his XI again at the break, with the likes of Rhian Brewster among the subs.
While the quintet of Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gini Wijnaldum should also get their first minutes of pre-season.
Not in the squad are Adam Lallana and Bobby Duncan, with the duo suffering knocks in training. Lallana is said to have a dead leg, while Duncan has a minor foot injury.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Gomez, Larouci, Fabinho, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilson, Origi, Kent
Substitutes: Atherton, Lonergan, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Henderson, Brewster, Robertson, Lewis, Phillips, Jones, Hoever, Woodburn, Alexander-Arnold.
Fan Comments