Community Shield 2019: How Liverpool could line up against Manchester City

Manchester City and Liverpool were the best teams in the Premier League last season, with City winning the league by just a solitary point. Keeping that in mind, it is almost poetic that these two sides start the season of competitive games against each other - Liverpool take on City in the FA Community Shield final on the 4th of August.

Liverpool have had a long pre-season, with mixed results. City, on the other hand, have had a short pre-season with good results, barring the loss to Wolves in the final of the Premier League Asia trophy.

With City having lifted both the League title and the FA Cup, the runners-up of the league take up the role of the opposition.

Yokohama F.Marinos v Manchester City - Preseason Friendly

This match may not be the most competitive of the season, but it gives the clubs a good opportunity to test the players in a more hotly contested battle than pre-season fixtures.

There are absentees on both sides, with Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez both being absent after playing the Africa Cup of Nations final last month.

Let's take a look at how the Reds could line up against City, keeping in mind the preparations for the upcoming season. The formation will be Klopp's favoured 4-3-3.

Goalkeeper - Alisson Becker

Alisson Becker has returned fit and ready to start from Copa America jubilation, and Klopp would be keen on giving the new No. 1 jersey "owner" a start between the sticks. Alisson set an unbelievable record by winning the Golden Glove in the Premier League, Champions League and the Copa America back-to-back.

Simon Mignolet has been decent in pre-season barring the one mistake against Sporting Lisbon. However, with Mignolet realistically being the second choice keeper, it would be better to start Alisson in preparation for the game against Norwich.

Defenders - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez

Liverpool's matches versus Napoli and Sporting Lisbon allowed Klopp to play arguably his first choice backline - the one that started the Champions League final. However, this backline has looked shaky in the two matches, leaking in five goals.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk almost untouchable, Klopp could give Gomez a try alongside Van Dijk. The Gomez-Van Dijk partnership looked unbreakable at the beginning of the 2018-19 season until Gomez was ruled out with injury. Although Joel Matip performed exceedingly well in his absence, this match could be a good opportunity to give the old partnership another go.

The partnership of Alexander-Arnold and Robertson is arguably one of the best in the world at the moment, and they are obvious starters. That is especially true since Nathaniel Clyne is out with injury and Liverpool have no like-for-like replacement for Robertson.

Midfield - Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Fabinho absolutely nailed down the holding midfielder spot with some excellent performances last season. Now with Jordan Henderson playing a more attacking role, Klopp should hand a start to the Brazilian.

Klopp has hinted that Adam Lallana might play a more defensive role this season. But with the former Saints man not having had enough minutes in that position, Fabinho should get the nod.

Georginio Wijnaldum has been quite impressive in pre-season, in a wide attacking role. He has scored goals and has been instrumental in putting the team on the front foot. That makes him the likely stater, although in a more familiar midfield role.

Wijnaldum was one of the heroes of the comeback against Barcelona and has continued that form through the pre-season. He should be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Amid the plethora of midfield options that Klopp has at his disposal, the one that he himself and the fans would want to see play a competitive game is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Ox has looked good in pre-season after a long injury lay-off; his pace and directness will give a different option to the Liverpool midfield.

With Fabinho holding the fort at one end and Wijnaldum playing the box-to-box role, Oxlade-Chamberlain could be the attacking force. That will also give Klopp the time to asses his match fitness and readiness.

Attack - Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi

Divock Origi proved his mettle last season and wrote himself into Liverpool folklore with his goals against Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur. He has also been quite impressive in pre-season, and a start against City would help him solidify his position as Liverpool's second choice forward behind Roberto Firmino.

However, with Firmino fit and raring to start against City, Origi might have to start on the left wing - where he has played a few times for the Reds.

Liverpool have looked a bit off in attack without them

Klopp has already stated that Mohamed Salah and Firmino would be starting against City, and the duo would be raring to go after respective national duties and good rest. Although the likes of Rhian Brewster and Harry Wilson have done well in pre-season, matches against tougher opponents have posed a greater challenge to the attack of Liverpool.

Therefore, against City, Salah and Firmino would be a better option. Further, Klopp could always bring on the likes of Brewster and Xherdan Shaqiri to protect the Brazilian and the Egyptian in case he needs to.

The XI: Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi.

Edited by Musab Abid