Yeah, yeah. It’s only a meaningless preseason game on the other side of the Atlantic…
But of all the meaningless preseason friendlies there are this summer, perhaps Liverpool versus Manchester United means the most.
England’s two biggest and most successful clubs will meet in the International Champions Cup in Michigan on Saturday night for a game that’s expected to fetch a crowd of nearly 100,000. Although there’s always a bit of needle between the two clubs when they meet – even if it is “just a friendly” – the game will take on added importance for a couple of young Liverpool goalkeepers.
Loris Karius, who has been their first choice ‘keeper over the course of their preseason, will likely miss the game with a knee injury. With Alisson Becker yet to join up with his new teammates and Simon Mignolet still on holiday following his involvement in the World Cup, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he will use Kamil Grabara and Caoimhin Kelleher, two academy goalkeepers, for the game.
“Loris has a little tendon problem in the knee,” Klopp told Liverpool’s official website.
“Nothing ruptured or something like that; it’s more that it’s inflamed so we’ll have to see how that settles.
“It’s not a big thing, but it’s likely he will not play tomorrow. The two young boys will feature. It was nice for Caoimhin the other night, and [now] Kamil will have an opportunity as well so it’s good.”
He added: “It’s a big opportunity for them – 100,000 people will be more than they’ve played in front of altogether so far, I think! It’s a big difference.
“I haven’t made a decision on who will start, but maybe Kamil because Caoimhin played the last game.”
The game against United concludes Liverpool’s tour of the States. They kick off their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham on August 12.
