Preview
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers begins the new season with a pre-season friendly against League 1 side Preston North End on Saturday 13 July. The game will take place at Preston's home ground - Deepdale. Apart from the geographical proximity of the clubs, Liverpool and Preston share a special bond in their reverence for Bill Shankly.
The legendary Liverpool manager, who oversaw Liverpool's emergence as a European football power in the 1960's and 1970's, played for 16 years at Preston. To celebrate 100 years since Shankly's birth, the teams will play for the Shankly Shield. The game will not only allow both sides of supporters to celebrate the life of a man who shaped the clubs but also give a sneak peek of the new summer signings.
Team News
All eyes will be on Liverpool's new signings, this being their first appearance for the Reds. Rodgers confirmed that Iago Aspas, Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Simon Mignolet will all be involved in Saturday's game.
"If they are all well and fit then they will travel for the game on Saturday," he told Liverpool's official website. "Simon Mignolet will play, of course; Aspas, Luis Alberto and Kolo Toure - they will all get a run-out."
The absentees from the Liverpool squad are Luis Suarez, Sebastian Coates and Pepe Reina, all of whom were involved in last month's Confederations Cup. Reina's absence means that Mignolet will start in goal.
Preston will be able to parade their two new signings as well. Former Bolton striker Kevin Davies has been transferred to the club this summer while Norwich City goalkeeper Declan Rudd is on loan. Both should feature in Saturday's match.
Preston also have former Liverpool midfielder John Welsh, who made 10 first-team appearances at Anfield under Gerard Houllier.
Where To Watch
Kick-off is at 7:30pm IST and live coverage is available to LFCTV subscribers.
