The final game of the pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia will take place today, with an expected strong Liverpool XI taking on a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur.
The fact we fielded a team of reserves during a practice friendly against Felda United on Thursday indicates as much, so with that in mind, here’s who we think Rodgers might go with:
GK) Simon Mignolet
Adam Bogdan’s only had 45 minutes of the tour so far, but you feel Brendan Rodgers’ priority is to make sure his no.1 is fully up to speed before the season opener instead of gelling the new signing.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne’s done more than well than so far, and another run-out should ease his transition. Due to the heat, don’t be surprised to see the full-backs come off early, with Andre Wisdom the right-back substitute candidate.
SEE MORE:
Liverpool play random friendly v Felda United, win 7-0, Ings, Markovic and co. go goal crazy
DL) Alberto Moreno
Moreno hasn’t started a pre-season match yet, so the Spaniard might get the nod over summer signing Joe Gomez, who’s already proved he’ll be a capable member of the first-team squad.
DC) Dejan Lovren
Because Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure started the impromptu friendly v Felda United, it’s obvious who’ll play today proper. Lovren will be delighted he’s got the nod over the Frenchman.
DC) Martin Skrtel
The centre-back the others are fighting for a spot alongside, Skrtel’s been completely untroubled during pre-season, but the sterner tests are of course yet to come.
MC) Lucas
Joe Allen played the majority of the game versus Adelaide, so we think his Brazilian rival to the anchorman spot could get the nod ahead of the diminutive Welshman. It would make sense to maximise both players’ game-time before we head back to Europe.
MC) James Milner
Milner’s scored two pre-season goals already and is blossoming in a central midfield three, having been asked to run the flanks for years at Manchester City. His relationship with Jordan Henderson has been most impressive and the pair have the ability to cut our meek opponents to shreds.
MC) Jordan Henderson
The skipper’s been prominent throughout pre-season, and his sharpness and fitness is visibly improving. Henderson loves the armband, and he should get another chance to lead his team out in front of another set of adoring supporters.
AMR) Jordon Ibe
Probably the Man of the Match last time out in Australia, the fact Lazar Markovic played against Felda with Ibe rested means the young Englishman should get the nod down the right. We’re looking forward to seeing his devastating pace and running down the right again.
AML) Adam Lallana
Lallana should get another chance to prove why he must to be starting on Premier League opening day alongside, or ahead of Brazilians Coutinho and Roberto Firmino – who are training at Melwood and awaiting the squad’s arrival. Lallana’s done excellently so far – scoring two goals from his role on the left of the 4-3-3.
FC) Divock Origi
Danny Ings scored a hat-trick verses Felda in the practice game on Thursday, and while many would have hoped 23-year-old Ings would start v Malaysia, yesterday’s selection indicates the young Belgian will be given another chance.
