Liverpool prepare for Anfield double-header against Athletic Club | OneFootball

Liverpool vs Athletic Club: Tactical Reflections Ahead of Anfield Friendlies

Final tune-up before competitive action

Pre-season friendlies, particularly those played at home, rarely generate much anticipation. Yet Liverpool’s Monday night double-header against Athletic Club has the curious distinction of being both strategically relevant and narratively rich. Arne Slot’s side come up against a side not only tactically disciplined, but one that symbolises footballing identity in a way few others do.

Photo: IMAGO

Two matches, two elevens, and a final chance to refine before the Community Shield meeting with Crystal Palace. The occasion offers Slot a valuable opportunity to probe at the limits of his developing system, while also offering clues about the players who will carry the weight of a new era.

Squad decisions and conditioning

Liverpool’s summer so far has carried the usual mixture of transition and reorientation. A 3-1 win over Preston followed by a 5-0 behind-closed-doors rout of Stoke City presented positive early signs. A 4-2 defeat to AC Milan on 26 July raised questions about defensive structure, but a 3-1 win over Yokohama Marinos in Japan offered a response rooted in organisation and clarity.

Photo IMAGO

Tonight’s friendlies come at a poignant moment in Liverpool’s pre-season rhythm. Injuries remain a consideration, with Alisson absent due to “private reasons,” and both Federico Chiesa and Joe Gomez under medical supervision. Chiesa is managing a muscular issue, while Gomez sustained an Achilles problem that saw him return early from the Asian tour.

Photo IMAGO

Luis Díaz, meanwhile, has left Merseyside in a £65.5 million move to Bayern Munich, opening up space in both the squad and tactical configuration. Hugo Ekitike’s subdued debut saw him substituted at half-time, but the return to Anfield may offer a platform to reset. The Frenchman will be keen to impress, particularly in front of a crowd keen to assess the new additions.

Photo IMAGO

Opposition challenges and context

Athletic Club, for their part, are in the midst of a difficult pre-season. With three defeats in four, Ernesto Valverde’s side arrive with form under scrutiny and defensive instability exacerbated by injuries to Aitor Paredes and Unai Egiluz. However, the Basque outfit still command respect, having finished fourth in La Liga and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season.

Photo IMAGO

Their story this summer has also been defined by retention. Nico Williams, widely tipped to leave for Barcelona or Bayern Munich, instead signed a new deal. It was a rare but welcome demonstration of loyalty in modern football, and it provides Valverde with continuity in the face of growing instability elsewhere in the squad.

Photo: IMAGO

For Liverpool, the challenge lies not in winning, but in learning. Slot’s decision to stage two matches allows for full-squad exposure, and with the Community Shield just days away, clarity is key. The physical sharpness of his players, the tactical adjustments in transition, and the responsiveness of new signings will be under close observation.

Broadcast and match access

For those wishing to follow the matches live, both friendlies will be broadcast on LFCTV, with coverage beginning at 4pm BST. Kick-offs are scheduled for 5pm and 8pm BST respectively. The matches can also be streamed through Liverpool’s official website with an ‘All Red Video’ membership, which currently offers a one-month free trial.

Head-to-head history

These two clubs last met in European competition more than four decades ago, with Liverpool edging the tie courtesy of an Ian Rush header in the European Cup last 16. The record stands at two wins for Liverpool, one for Athletic Club, and one draw. History matters little on nights like this, but it frames the occasion with a touch of heritage.

Predicted outcomes

Predicting friendlies is an exercise in educated speculation, yet the expectation remains for Liverpool to emerge victorious in both matches. With stronger line-ups likely to be fielded early, and with Anfield’s surface more conducive to Slot’s passing demands than previous matches on tour, Liverpool should have the upper hand.

Predictions:Game One: Liverpool 3-1Game Two: Liverpool 2-0