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Predicted Liverpool XI for the Community Shield Final; Alisson Becker and new signings set to start

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Liverpool are looking to add the first silverware of the season to their trophy cabinet when they face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley.

Arne Slot achieved the ultimate success in his first season at Anfield, claiming the Premier League title at the first time of asking.

Now, Liverpool fans will get the chance to see several new signings in action in the Community Shield at Wembley, with the Reds building from a position of strength ahead of the new season.

Slot could hand a number of his new arrivals their competitive debuts for the club, as star signing Hugo Ekitike is set to replace the transfer-linked Darwin Nunez in Slot’s forward line.

With the traditional curtain-raiser for the new season now approaching, here is how Liverpool could line up for the Community Shield.

Liverpool celebrate their Community Shield win over Manchester City in 2022
Photo by Kieran Galvin/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Predicted Liverpool XI vs Crystal Palace

Liverpool have a relatively clean bill of health ahead of the first competitive fixture of the season. As a result, they are expected to name a strong squad.

Goalkeeper: Speaking after Liverpool’s pre-season game against Athletic Bilbao, via Liverpool.com, Slot confirmed that first-choice keeper Alisson Becker will be available for the game and he will start ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Defence: With both Joe Gomez and Connor Bradley doubtful, Liverpool could field a new-look back four against Palace.

Virgil van Dijk is expected to return to the side after sitting out the Bilbao game. He is likely to partner with Ibrahima Konate at the heart of the defence. With Bradley nursing an injury, Jeremie Frimpong will slot in at full-back, alongside fellow new signing Milos Kerkez.

Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch is available to play, despite his late-season red card, which will rule him out of the Premier League opening weekend. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominic Szoboszlai are fighting it out for a place alongside him in midfield.

Front Four: Liverpool fans can look forward to the mouth-watering prospect of seeing their new and improved forward line in action at Wembley.

New arrival Florian Wirtz will line up behind club record signing Hugo Ekitike, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo on the wings.

An image depicting the predicted Liverpool line-up for the Community Shield
Liverpool Community Shield vs Crystal Palace

Cody Gakpo excited for early Wembley trip

Speaking to the club website, star forward Cody Gakpo expressed his excitement at the opportunity to claim early silverware in the new season.

According to Gakpo, the Community Shield is the perfect chance to build momentum for the new season. He said: “It’s going to be an important game for us to start the season well, and that’s what we’re here for. We’re going to give it our best shot. Hopefully, we come back with the Community Shield.

“I think if we can play a good game and [produce] a good performance and get the trophy back home, then we have good momentum for the rest of the beginning of the season. To begin well is always very important.”