Liverpool XI vs Yokohama FM: Ekitike debut, confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for friendly

The £79million striker is poised for his first minutes as a Red

Debut loading: Hugo Ekitike

Hugo Ekitike is expected to make his Liverpool debut as the club take on Yokohama FM in Japan on Wednesday.

The new £79million striker watched on at the weekend as the Reds were comfortably beaten 4-2 by AC Milan in Hong Kong, but is likely to get his first minutes this week.

It remains to be seen if Ekitike will start the game, but fellow new signings Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez should get the nod from head coach Arne Slot.

Virgil van Dijk has shaken off any fitness scare, after going down in the first half of the loss to Milan, and could start again, while Alisson can complete a strong back line.

Dominik Szoboszlai scored a beauty last time out, which may have earned him another start, and Trey Nyoni deserves an opportunity from the off.

Fellow youngster Rio Ngumoha was, arguably, Liverpool’s best player against Milan and could be afforded a longer run out in attack alongside Mohamed Salah and Ekitike

There remain question marks over Alexis Mac Allister’s fitness, while injury saw Joe Gomez left at home.

Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Stephenson, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Nyoni, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitike, Ngumoha

Doubts: Mac Allister

Injured: Joe Gomez

Time and date: Wednesday July 30, 11.30am BST

Venue: Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan