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Liverpool returns for its first pre-season friendly of the summer this weekend when it takes on Preston North End tomorrow. And Arne Slot could use plenty of different players.
The Reds boss only brought his side back together earlier this week, and it is set to be an emotional occasion given that this will be the first time Liverpool takes to the field since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. Plans are in place to commemorate the number 20, whose jersey has been retired, before kick-off.
In terms of the game itself, there could be a number of new faces involved. Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Milos Kerkez have all linked up with their teammates, as has young goalkeeper Armin Pecsi.
They could all play a part in the game, offering fans a first glimpse of what they can do. And it will be a little wait until Liverpool supporters can see them again, given that the next friendly isn't until the end of the month in Hong Kong.
Mamardashvili and Alisson Becker could share minutes in goal. And there are plenty of options across the rest of the Liverpool defense for Slot to choose from.
At right-back, Frimpong and Conor Bradley should get a chance. In the center, with Jarell Quansah having been sold, there is only Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez remaining, but there are also three options at left-back: Kerkez, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas. Young center-back Amara Nallo could come into the reckoning to plug the gap.
In midfield, there has been no sales just yet. That means that Harvey Elliott could be involved, alongside the likes of Tyler Morton and James McConnell. Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones should all be available, in addition to Wataru Endo and young talent Trey Nyoni.
Stefan Bajcetic was injured at the end of the season and underwent surgery. Though it isn't known exactly where he is up to with his recovery, the Spaniard might not feature much this summer, which is a blow to his hopes of re-establishing himself.
In attack, Wirtz will be joined by Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa. Each of them could play a part, with Rio Ngumoha also hoping to get some minutes.
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It won't just be new faces on the pitch for Liverpool. Slot has a new assistant coach in Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who has arrived to replace John Heitinga after his move to Ajax.
Van Bronckhorst knows what it takes to become a top player at an elite club. He made over 100 league appearances for Barcelona, while playing over 40 Premier League games for Arsenal from 2001 to 2004.
Now 50, he earned 106 caps for the Netherlands between 1996 and 2010. He also played for Feyenoord and was also its head coach from 2015 to 2019.
After taking on Preston, Liverpool doesn't play again until it faces AC Milan in a fortnight. It will also take on Yokohama Marinos and Athletic Club in pre-season before facing Crystal Palace at Wembley in the Community Shield.
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