4-3-3: Predicted Liverpool XI v Arsenal, academy graduate could start

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Fewer than five weeks since Liverpool’s last Premier League game of the 2019/20, they are back in action in the Community Shield this Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp’s champions will face FA Cup winners at a deserted Wembley in the traditional curtain-raiser.

The match comes along earlier in the pre-season schedule this year because of the international break next week.

That poses selection dilemmas in terms of balancing the desire to win the game – and another trophy – with the need to get minutes into the legs of certain players.

Alisson looks set to start between the sticks, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez likely to make up the central defensive pairing in front of him.

Trent Alexander-Arnold should start at right back, but Klopp has a choice to make between Andy Robertson and new-boy Kostas Tsimikas on the other side.

Robertson will undoubtedly be the first choice this season, but Klopp may decide to use the match to give the Greek defender another chance to get used to his style of play.

In midfield, Jordan Henderson will miss out with the injury he picked up at the end of last season, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t fit to face his old club.

That likely means Fabinho will anchor midfield, with Naby Keita given a chance to impress in the centre of the park too.

It’s a choice between youth and experience to round off the midfield.

Gini Wijnaldum could play, but there’s uncertainty over his contract, so perhaps academy graduate Curtis Jones will get the nod.

It looks set to be a big season for Jones and Klopp will want to see him start as he means to go on, although James Milner is another option.

In attack, the trio of Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino has started both matches, so Rhian Brewster will likely need to settle for a spot on the bench.