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Football

12th Aug 2018

Naby Keita starts for Liverpool in Premier League opener against West Ham

Wayne Farry

Naby Keita goes right into the first team for his Premier League debut

Jurgen Klopp has named his first Liverpool squad of the Premier League season and it contains just two new signings: Naby Keita and Alisson.

The German coach clearly retains confidence in the squad which performed impressively for him last season, with just the signings from Red Bull Leipzig and AS Roma breaking into the team for the match against West Ham United.

Klopp’s preferred attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane also start, ahead of a midfield trio of Keita, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner. Captain Jordan Henderson starts on the bench after extended leave due to England’s World Cup campaign.

In defence, Joe Gomez partners Virgil Van Dijk, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson play on the flanks.

Two of Klopp’s other recruits, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho, begin the game on the bench.