Liverpool will play Athletic Club twice in one day during their pre-season preparations, aiming to boost fitness and allow manager Arne Slot to experiment with different tactics. The two 90-minute games will take place back-to-back at Anfield, marking the Reds’ final pre-season outings before the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace.
In an unusual pre-season move, Liverpool will face Athletic Club in two back-to-back matches at Anfield, as both clubs ramp up their preparations for the new season. The first game will kick off at 5pm BST, followed by a second 90-minute match at 8pm on the same evening. This back-to-back format is designed to maximize playing time for both squads, with manager Arne Slot aiming to fine-tune his team before their Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace.
While playing two full games in a single day is rare, the approach allows both teams to field different lineups for each match. Slot and Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde will likely rotate players, giving their squads valuable minutes and offering them the chance to experiment with new formations and tactics.
It is still unclear whether one match will feature the strongest XI for Liverpool, or if both games will be a mix of first-team players, squad members, and youth prospects. This will be a crucial opportunity for Slot to test his squad and solidify his team dynamics ahead of the season opener.
One notable absence from the doubleheader will be Alexander Isak, with Liverpool’s pursuit of the Newcastle striker still stalled, making it unlikely that he will feature at Anfield anytime soon. However, Reds fans will get a glimpse of new £79 million signing, Hugo Ekitike, who has joined the club from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer.
This unique doubleheader marks the end of Liverpool’s pre-season, and Slot will be hoping his side can build momentum as they prepare to defend their Premier League title in the upcoming season. The Reds will need to stay sharp as Arsenal and Manchester City continue to strengthen, while Chelsea’s impressive showing in the Club World Cup adds an extra layer of intrigue to the title race.
The match will also be an emotional occasion for the Liverpool faithful, as it will be the first at Anfield since the tragic death of Diogo Jota. The double-header promises to be an exciting, albeit unconventional, final test before the season kicks off in earnest.
