KIEV, UKRAINE - Thursday, May 24, 2018: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp arrives ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid CF and Liverpool FC. (Handout/UEFA via Propaganda)

Jurgen Klopp explains selection plans for Chester – including debuts and absences

Jurgen Klopp is planning to field two different lineups for Liverpool’s clash with Chester, but will be restricted by the absence of a senior duo.

The Reds will hope for a productive afternoon in the Cheshire sunshine on Saturday, as they kick off a nine-game pre-season schedule against Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson’s side.

Klopp is limited in his selection at Deva Stadium, with Simon Mignolet, Dejan Lovren, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Marko Grujic, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino all unavailable due to the World Cup.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster are sidelined through injury, while Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum are not set to return to Merseyside until Sunday.

Regardless, the manager still presides over a big, healthy squad, and speaking to LiverpoolFC.com he outlined his intentions to make wholesale changes at half-time if possible:

“[Naming two different XIs] makes sense, from the intensity side.

“After the holidays, the boys have to adapt to the intensity and stuff like that—all the things we did in training. So it makes sense that they play 45 minutes.

“I’m not sure if we have two complete teams because not really all positions are covered. But that’s the plan. Go there and get used to proper football again, that’s why we do it.

“So I’m looking forward to it. It’s a first little test for us and hopefully we are ready. We always do it out of full training; we don’t think too much about the games during the week.

“So that will be quite intense for the boys, especially with these temperatures at the moment. But it’s all good, let’s go.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 10, 2018: Liverpool's Adam Lallana during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

However, Klopp went on to reveal that both Joel Matip and Adam Lallana are doubts, with the centre-back working his way back to fitness and the midfielder struggling with illness.

“I think it’s a bit too early for Joel,” he explained, with the 26-year-old undergoing thigh surgery in April.

“He is in training, not doing all but in a few parts he’s doing more than the others.

“He’s not involved in football at the moment but from next week on he will be fully involved.

Adam Lallana will not be involved possibly, not sure. He’s a little bit ill, we have to see. I think Saturday will not be possible for him.”

But new signings Naby Keita and Fabinho are primed to make their debuts, providing “nothing happens” between now and Saturday.

“We don’t want to waste time. They are in, it’s good. It’s our first pre-season game so let’s start,” he said.

“If they’ll start, I don’t know, to be honest. I haven’t made the lineup so far, I have to see who is available. But, yes, they will be involved for sure.”

The Reds’ clash with Chester kicks off at 3pm (BST), and This is Anfield will be providing full coverage throughout the afternoon.

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