Milner And Keita To Start, Henderson And Wijnaldum On The Bench: Liverpool’s Predicted XI To Face Leeds

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that captain Jordan Henderson along with Xherdan Shaqiri and Kostas Tsimikas are back in training ahead of the season opener against Leeds.

It’s unlikely that the trio will start the game at Anfield, though. Trent Alexander-Arnold did not feature in preseason due to a minor injury but he has played two matches on international duty so he should be fit to start this weekend.

The rest of the backline should be the same as normal, with Alisson in goal, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez at centre-back and Andy Robertson on the left. There could be a case for Joel Matip to be given the nod ahead of Gomez, though, with the 29-year-old having returned to fitness.

In midfield, Henderson has not played since early July due to a knee injury so he may only make the bench, with vice-captain James Milner keeping his place after the Community Shield.

Naby Keita did not travel for international duty, unlike Georginio Wijnaldum, so Klopp may favour the Guinean for the game against Leeds, with Fabinho taking up his customary holding midfield role.

Up front, it should be the usual suspects, with Mo Salah on the right, Sadio Mane starting from the left and Roberto Firmino through the middle.

Liverpool’s Predicted XI To Face Leeds:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson, Keita, Fabinho, Milner, Salah, Firmino, Mane