Liverpool go play their final two pre-season matches for Anfield on Monday as dem go jam Athletic Bilbao two times for one day. Dem beat Yokohama F. Marinos 3-1 on Wednesday, and dem dey hope say this Spanish test go ready dem well for Community Shield battle against Crystal Palace on August 10.
Match Preview
This Liverpool pre-season get small up and down — dem don beat Preston and Yokohama, but Milan knack dem 4-2 on July 26. One big wahala wey Arne Slot gats fix na the defence — dem never hold clean sheet for all three pre-season matches and dem still leak goals anyhow last season ending.
But for attack, dem dey hot. Eight goals from three matches no be small thing, and new signing Florian Wirtz don already show say him go be big boost as he score against Yokohama.
Wirtz go add ginger for creativity upfront — and remember say Liverpool end last Premier League season as top scorers with 86 goals. Even though dem lose two and draw two of their last four competitive games, dem don already carry the title with four matches remaining. Anfield na fortress last season — 14 wins from 19 and just one loss.
Athletic Bilbao on the other hand just lose 2-1 to Racing Santander for their last friendly. Na their third straight pre-season loss. But make we no forget say dem finish fourth for La Liga last season with 70 points — Champions League dey call them for first time since 2013-14.
Bilbao score 54 goals for league — not too plenty — but dem get the tightest defence with just 29 goals allowed. For pre-season sha, na another story — five goals enter dem net in four matches, and dem only score three.
History between Liverpool and Bilbao no too long. The last time dem meet na 1-1 friendly draw for August 2021. For all-time, Bilbao never beat Liverpool — two losses and two draws in four meetings. Their away form no too bad towards season end, but before that dem get five draws and five losses for 10 road matches.
Liverpool Pre-season Form:
W L W
Athletic Bilbao Pre-season Form:
W L L L
Team News
With the Community Shield close, Arne Slot go likely use strong first lineup for the first match of the day. New signings Hugo Ekitike and Wirtz dey sure to start. Alexis Mac Allister wey get injury issue don return with small playtime against Milan and fit show face again.
Alisson Becker no dey available as e leave the team because of personal reasons. But new keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili go hold ground well.
For Bilbao, Unai Simon go likely start for post. In front of am, Daniel Vivian and Inigo Lekue go try hold Liverpool attack. Mikel Vesga wey score last game go still do midfield shield work with Jauregizar. Up front, Nico Williams go dey left wing, while him brother Inaki Williams go run right. Gorka Guruzeta go lead attack.
Possible Lineups
Liverpool:
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Athletic Bilbao:
Simon; Ares, Lekue, Vivian, Boiro; Jauregizar, Vesga; I Williams, Gomez, N Williams; Guruzeta
Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
Slot go wan see better defending from him boys after the wahala against Milan. Even if dem tire small towards game end, Liverpool attack still get wetin e take punish any defence. Bilbao fit sneak one goal, but Anfield wahala too much.