No sooner have Liverpool’s preparations for the season started in earnest than they will come to an end.
These were the curtailed, curtailed summer plans for each Premier League team given the quick turnaround of campaigns after the coronavirus shutdown earlier in the year.
Jürgen Klopp’s team will play the second and last test match of a short warm-up against Red Bull Salzburg in Austria on Tuesday afternoon (kick-off at 3 p.m.).
It’s one last chance for the Reds boss to consider his options ahead of Saturday’s FA Community Shield clash against Arsenal at Wembley, though even that will be more like a glorified friendly than ever for a number of reasons.
Stuttgart’s routine 3-0 sacking at the weekend offered some clues as to what to expect for the traditional curtain up. Liverpool’s starting line-up is as strong as possible given the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson, although the latter attended training camp along with Joel Matip, another who returned from injury.
Sign up for the Liverpool ECHO Daily Liverpool newsletter HERE
Liverpool used 23 players against Stuttgart, with Klopp putting up a completely different team in the second half.
However, the Reds boss is now preparing for the Arsenal clash, Liverpool’s last game before promotion to Leeds United at home on the weekend of September 12th.
“We’re going to give some players a few more minutes to get closer to the 90s, but I said we couldn’t do less now because we’re playing the game on Saturday. We have to prepare for a full season, “Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.
“After Arsenal a lot of our players will go to the international games so they have to play for their countries there, so now they need proper training. The weekend will be difficult, but we will be as ready as possible. “
A pre-season that had already been tested was made more difficult by an international break immediately after the Community Shield, although only European countries are involved.
And the lack of friendly matches means Rhian Brewster, Marko Grujic and Nat Phillips – all on loan from last season – have little time to impress their parent club in a game situation before the season starts. However, with the transfer window open until October, the Reds are in no rush to make decisions about their respective futures.
Xherdan Shaqiri, Loris Karius and Divock Origi played the game against Stuttgart with minor problems and are unlikely to be risked against Salzburg, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returned to Melwood after a knee problem.
“(There is) really nothing new,” said Klopp when asked about injury reports on Monday. “Ki-Jana (Hoever) rolled her ankle a little here but I was told he was involved in parts this morning and will be there.” The whole session this afternoon, so we should have the same squad as the Stuttgart game. “
There will be a welcome change for Liverpool as Salzburg have received permission to allow 1,250 home fans in as part of a process.
The Reds have not played in front of fans since the Champions League last 16 against Atletico Madrid on March 11th in Anfield.
Liverpool will return to Merseyside right after the game with Wednesday off before detailed preparations for Arsenal begin on Thursday.
* What do you think of Liverpool’s fixtures? Let us know in our poll HERE
.
