Liverpool vs Manchester City team news: Predicted Reds and Citizens line-ups for Community Shield

The return of the Premier League is only a week away but this weekend we’ll see two giants of the division go toe-to-toe with each other.

That’s because it’s the Community Shield on Sunday where Liverpool face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium – a game you can listen to LIVE on talkSPORT – kick-off 3pm.

The annual curtain-raiser for the Premier League season sees the winners of the league and FA Cup face each other.

But because City won both competitions last season, their opponents are whoever finished second in the league, which was Liverpool.

City and the Reds played out a pulsating title race with Pep Guardiola’s men edging to the crown with 98 points as Jurgen Klopp’s side scored 97.

And if this game is half as good as that then fans will be in for a treat.

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Both Klopp and Guardiola have expressed their surprise at how the match is viewed given they come from Germany and Spain respectively, where the versions of the Community Shield there are taken very seriously.

This suggests that both managers will field strong teams for Sunday’s game. Below you can see talkSPORT.com’s predicted Liverpool and Manchester City line-ups.

Adrian Durham on Liverpool's squad

Liverpool

Klopp should field a strong team as he looks to get his best players match fit for their Premier League opener against Norwich on August 9.

Alisson returned to the fold earlier this week so should start in goal and the back four in front of him should be the same set of defenders who started the Champions League final against Tottenham as they are settled playing together.

In midfield, there could be a slight change-up, however.

When Liverpool were beaten by City in the league in January, the midfield was overrun. So starting Fabinho to keep an eye on City’s creative players may be a decent shout.

Jordan Henderson can play in his No.6 role so can get forward and defend, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could play in attacking midfield.

Fit again Oxlade-Chamberlain scored important goals against City in the 2017/18 season so could cause a few problems.

And up front Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are shoo-ins to start if deemed fit enough fit.

However, Sadio Mane will not return to training until after the Community Shield so we’ve gone with Origi on the left side of the front three, a position where the Belgian has experience.

Manchester City

Guardiola should also play his strongest available team as he is a manager who is addicted to winning trophies.

Ederson obviously starts in goal for City who will probably play a back four.

Because Vincent Kompany no longer plays for the club, John Stones should partner Aymeric Laporte in the middle while Kyle Walker should play on the right.

Oleksandr Zinchenko may be deployed at left-back as question marks surrounding Benjamin Mendy’s fitness are a constant while it’s not clear if Angelino is cut out for English football just yet.

In midfield we should see fan favourites David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in more advanced roles while new signing Rodri should start in the defensive role ahead of veteran midfielder Fernandinho, who isn’t available for the game.

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Raheem Sterling has played the pre-season matches in a central role up front but given Sergio Aguero returned to training earlier this week, Sterling could be put out on the left.

Bernardo Silva should go on the right while rumours suggesting Leroy Sane’s future at the club is under threat make it unlikely that the German will start.

Alternative line-ups

However, the Premier League is a priority for both sides so Liverpool and Manchester City may not have their best line-ups on show for fear of picking up any injuries just before the first league match of the campaign.

So here are alternative line-ups for the two sides which could see some of both clubs’ fringe players get a chance.

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