Liverpool face a defensive crisis as they prepare for their second pre-season friendly against Wrexham in New York City, with only one fit senior centre-back available.
The Reds beat Sunderland in their first outing last week, but lost Joe Gomez to injury within ten minutes. With Ibrahima Konate having left the club and Giovanni Leoni still recovering from an ACL rupture, Virgil van Dijk is the only fit senior centre-back, but he is still undergoing fitness work on Merseyside. Summer signing Jeremy Jacquet was not deemed match fit against Sunderland and is not expected to feature.
Youthful Centre-Back Pairing Expected
Against Wrexham, Liverpool are likely to field a youthful centre-back pairing of Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who is not eligible for competitive first-team matches. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are expected to start as full-backs.
Dominik Szoboszlai could replace Curtis Jones in midfield after impressing against Sunderland, starting alongside James McConnell. Harvey Elliott, who provided an assist in the previous game, should retain the No.10 position. Rio Ngumoha is expected to keep his place on the wing.
Chiesa to Lead the Line?
Andoni Iraola may start Federico Chiesa up front after he scored off the bench as a striker in the last friendly, potentially testing a new attacking combination from the off.
Liverpool predicted XI: Mamardashvili; Kerkez, Ndiaye, Ndukwe, Frimpong; Szoboszlai, McConnell; Ngumoha, Elliott, Morrison; Chiesa.
Injured: Gomez, Leoni, Ekitike, Bradley, Jacquet.
Time and date: 12.30am BST on Thursday July 30. Venue: Yankee Stadium, New York City.
