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Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 1
Sep 12, 2020 at 5.30pm UK
Anfield
Leeds logo

Liverpool
4 - 3
Leeds

Salah (4' pen., 33', 88' pen.), van Dijk (20')
Firmino (76')
FT(HT: 3-2)
Harrison (12'), Bamford (30'), Klich (66')

How Liverpool could line up against Leeds United

Sports Mole looks at how Liverpool could line up for the opening match of their Premier League title defence as Leeds United visit Anfield on Saturday.

Liverpool get their Premier League title defence underway on Saturday evening as they welcome newly-promoted Leeds United to Anfield for a champions against champions showdown.

Jurgen Klopp's side were relentless in their charge to a first title in 30 years last season, wrapping up the crown with seven games to spare and ultimately finishing 18 points clear of their closest challengers.

The Reds are also unbeaten at home in the league for more than three years, making it as difficult a start to life back in the top flight for Leeds as possible this weekend.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Liverpool could line up for the opening-day contest.



Possible LIV XI vs. LEE

Out: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Xherdan Shaqiri (muscle), Kostas Tsimikas (coronavirus)
Doubtful: Jordan Henderson (knee)

> Click here for Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Liverpool's main injury concern heading into this opener hangs over the head of their captain Jordan Henderson, who is still struggling with a knee injury carried over from last season.

The midfielder was left out of the recent England squad and has not featured for Liverpool during pre-season, but he will be in contention to feature on Saturday should he pass a late fitness test.

However, the lack of preparation could see him limited to a substitute role at best, with Naby Keita the most likely to replace him in Klopp's strongest XI if that is the case.

Georginio Wijnaldum's place in the team is less certain than it was last season amid speculation over his long-term future, and James Milner will be particularly hopeful of a game in the middle of the park.

The veteran came through the ranks with Leeds, and if he features on Saturday then he would have incredibly played in each of the visitors' last 31 Premier League games despite their 16-year absence from the top flight.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Xherdan Shaqiri are both sidelined through injury, while Liverpool's only summer signing so far Kostas Tsimikas is unavailable after testing positive for coronavirus.

The champions are otherwise at full strength, though, and despite Takumi Minamino's encouraging performances in pre-season it is likely to be the tried-and-tested front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane who start the game.

Salah is something of an opening-day specialist having scored in each of Liverpool's last three Premier League curtain-raisers, and if he finds the back of the net again this weekend then he would join Teddy Sheringham has the only players to have achieved that feat four years on the bounce.

The likes of Wijnaldum, Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all on international duty earlier this week but should start nonetheless.

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