Liverpool return to action for the 2020/21 season this weekend as they take on FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley.
The Anfield outfit will undoubtedly go into this match as the clear favourites but speaking before the match, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hinted that he could be without a number of his key players on Saturday.
“All the boys which were not involved so far or got slight knocks in pre-season will not be available for tomorrow, but [they are] getting closer, really closer, closer and closer, “Jurgen Klopp told his pre-match press conference.
“So hopefully the majority of them can start training completely normal after the Arsenal game, but this game is now a bit too early for them. Maybe one or two involved in the squad, we have to see.
“That’s it pretty much. Hendo and Joel looking really good, on a good way.
“Ox, early stages but good. Shaq, good. Trent, very close, we have to make a decision about tomorrow. Harry looks good.”
Van Dijk picked up a nasty cut to his head during the friendly against Salzburg and it will be interesting to see if Jurgen Klopp names him in the first XI with Joel Matip also likely to miss out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold did not travel to Austria and we think it will be young Neco Williams who will take the field as the first-choice right-back.
Arsenal will receive a huge boost if these big-name players are missing from the matchday squad on Saturday and this could the perfect chance for Mikel Arteta to pick up yet another trophy within a span of just a couple of weeks.
