Dominik Szoboszlai handed Liverpool debut vs Karlsruher with Trent Alexander-Arnold set for new role

Dominik Szoboszlai will make his debut for Liverpool when they take on German side Karlsruher in their opening pre-season friendly on Wednesday afternoon.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has named an unfamiliar line-up for the match at BBBank Wildpark.

Szoboszlai will make his debut for the Reds after completing a £60m move from RB Leipzig earlier this month.

Fellow new arrival Alexis Mac Allister has been named on the bench but is expected to make his debut in the second half after joining Liverpool in a £35m move from Brighton.

Interestingly, it appears as though Klopp has named Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield.

The England international impressed in the final months of last season playing in an 'inverted full-back' role from right-back.

He was then tested in a permanent midfield role in England's Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Malta and North Macedonia last month.

Alexander-Arnold is now set to start in midfield against Karlsruher, with Conor Bradley named at right-back.

Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal instead of Alisson, who has been left out as a precaution, while Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk start at centre-back with Andy Robertson at left-back.

Playing alongside Alexander-Arnold and Szbobszlai in midfield is academy graduate Bobby Clark, while Klopp named a front three of Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez.

Reds captain Jordan Henderson was not included in the squad as negotiations continue over a potential move to Saudi Pro League side Al Etiffaq.

While he has taken part in their pre-season training camp in Germany, Henderson did not travel with his teammates for the match against Karlsruher.

Fabinho has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and did not travel to Germany.

Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have submitted a £40m bid for the Brazilian, who is expected to move on this summer.

Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Clark, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Salah, Nunez.

Subs: Jaros, Mrozek, Gomez, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Jota, Tsimikas, Matip, Scanlon, Doak, McConnell, Koumas, Quansah.

Topics: Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jurgen Klopp, Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan