4 things to look out for in Liverpool's pre-season clash against Bayern Munich

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Liverpool have been scoring for fun so far this pre-season, but Jurgen Klopp will face his hardest test yet against Bayern Munich in Singapore on Wednesday.

Scoring four goals in each of their three pre-season games so far, the Reds have shown offensive brilliance, but also some element of defensive frailty over the past two weeks, and against a team like Bayern Munich, that means one thing: expect goals.

Let's take a look at four things to look out for ahead of Liverpool's fourth pre-season fixture.

READ MORE: Liverpool vs Bayern Munich – Preview


Strongest XI

While Liverpool's two opening pre-season games against German second division pair Karlsruher SC and Greuther Furth provided excellent scope for younger talent to shine, Klopp's line-up against Leicester was certainly telling.

Barring Bobby Clark and Caoimhin Kelleher, Liverpool arguably fielded their strongest possible team against the recently-relegated side, and it was only once the game was essentially wrapped up that an array of youngsters and second-string players entered the field in the second half.

With just two games left to play until Chelsea on the opening day of the 2023/24 season, now is undoubtedly the time for Klopp to field his best team, giving them the chance to rediscover their chemistry and create an on-field bond with Liverpool's new recruits.

Therefore, you'd expect Liverpool to go full strength once again, including Alisson Becker who is back from the slight knock he sustained previously, and fielding a separate side in each half seems unlikely.

Dom and Mac together?

One of the best things about pre-season is that fans get the opportunity to see their club's new recruits in action for the first time, and Liverpool supporters have seen both Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in action over recent weeks.

Most would argue that the pair are now both part of Liverpool's strongest possible midfield, especially with the number of departures from the middle of the park, but the Argentine and Hungarian are yet to share a single minute on the pitch as of yet.

While the club released footage of Mac Allister assisting Szoboszlai in training not long ago, fans cannot wait to see the duo in action on the pitch.

With Bayern Munich posing Liverpool's biggest challenge of pre-season so far, it looks likely that the club's new number eight and number 10 will both start in the midfield.

Who starts in attack?

If this were a competitive fixture, it would undoubtedly be a big game and require a team to match, but even though Wednesday afternoon will be a friendly, the quality of Bayern Munich will still be there for all to see.

Liverpool will likely field their strongest XI, but what does that mean for our five attackers?

Mohamed Salah is likely a given. That leaves Diogo Jota, Darwin Nuñez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo fighting for the two remaining spots, and while each of their styles will obviously suit different opponents, whoever Klopp picks may give some indication as to how he could start the Premier League season.

If what the boss said to the press after the big Leicester win has any baring, the hardest-working players who defend from the front will occupy the starting spots.

Time to get running!

Who plays at six?

With just two weeks until the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season, the Reds have very few specialist defensive midfielders in the squad.

Fabinho has left — as have Jordan Henderson and James Milner – while Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic and Tyler Morton are all recovering from injury. That doesn't leave many/any natural options.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and young James McConnell have been among the players tried in a deep-lying midfield role so far this pre-season, but the Bayern clash offers a much sterner test. Whoever impresses here may be the frontrunner to start the season in the position, particularly if Romeo Lavia's signing is delayed.

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