Liverpool have had an understandably muted start to pre-season to leave question marks over possible squad members for the first pre-season friendly of the summer.
Arne Slot will take his side to Deepdale on Sunday afternoon under extremely emotional circumstances, with the first friendly to take place just over a week after Diogo Jota‘s passing.
The match got the go ahead after the squad and staff members were consulted on their return to training earlier this week, with tributes to honour Jota and his brother Andre before kickoff.
With Liverpool’s return to training not documented, it leaves plenty of question marks as to the available squad for the first friendly of pre-season.
There is no certainty over who is fit or even ready to return to the pitch but every senior player has reported back to the club this week, including the new signings.
• READ: Liverpool announce Diogo Jota and Andre Silva tributes for Preston friendly
Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi have all had their first day and will be in contention.
Alisson may not be involved after returning from Brazil late last week and visiting Portugal for Jota’s seventh day mass on Thursday, which Luis Diaz also attended.
Fellow leaders Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are all present and could lead the way on an emotional afternoon.
There could yet be a place in the squad for younger players, though, including Ben Doak, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, Amara Nallo and Rio Ngumoha.
Stefan Bajcetic, however, is not fit after hamstring surgery in May, while a report states Harvey Elliott nor Tyler Morton will be involved despite being spotted with the squad on Friday.
As the subject of transfer interest, the level of Darwin Nunez and Diaz’s involvement at Deepdale remains to be seen.
Liverpool’s possible available squad vs. Preston
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Pecsi
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Bradley, Frimpong, Kerkez, Robertson, Tsimikas, Beck, Nallo
Midfielders: Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones, Endo, McConnell, Nyoni
Forwards: Salah, Gakpo, Nunez, Diaz, Chiesa, Doak, Danns, Ngumoha
Doubtful: Morton, ElliottInjured: Bajcetic
