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Arne Slot has named a stronger starting XI for the second of the two matches against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield today. In the first game, Liverpool won 4-1 with goals from Rio Ngumoha, Darwin Nunez, Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott.
Alisson Becker is not back available yet after leaving the Asia tour early due to a personal matter. As a result, Giorgi Mamardashvili, a summer arrival from Valencia, is between the sticks.
In defense, Conor Bradley is injured, so Jeremie Frimpong is at right-back, and Milos Kerkez is on the left. Virgil van Dijk is ill, so Wataru Endo starts, with Ibrahima Konate completing the back four, lining up in the middle as the senior center-back.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch is joined by Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian announced that he had become a father earlier this week, but was involved here.
Mohamed Salah is on the right-hand side, with Florian Wirtz as the number and Cody Gakpo off the left. Hugo Ekitike starts up front; like the rest of the summer arrivals, this will be his first appearance at Anfield.
An hour or so after the first game with Athletic Bilbao finishes, two different starting XIs will take to the field. Several young Liverpool stars should get the chance to impress then.
"Of course, we know that this will also be an emotional occasion, being the first time that we have played at home since we lost Diogo," Slot writes in today's matchday program.
"I know that you will want to pay your tributes before, during and after the games, and I know that we will hear his song ringing out throughout the evening.
"It has been a tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo’s family, his wife, his children and friends.
"We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward. We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.
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"Diogo’s passing has had a big impact on us all, but what has been so important has been the love and care shown from the football world, and in particular of course the Liverpool FC community.
"At Anfield, at the AXA Training Centre, at Preston North End and on our recent tour of Hong Kong and Japan, we really felt what Diogo meant to everyone, and how together our fans are.
"I want to mention the strength and the courage of my players here, too. They have found themselves in one of the toughest positions imaginable.
"But the way they have come together and the way they have conducted themselves, on and off the pitch, is a credit to them and to this football club. We really couldn’t have asked more of the boys, and I am extremely proud of them all."
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