Team News: Philippe Coutinho handed first pre-season start for Liverpool at Wigan Athletic

Jurgen Klopp has named Philippe Coutinho in his starting lineup for the first time this pre-season as Liverpool prepare to take on Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

The Brazilian, back from an extended break following his Copa America exertions with Brazil, will link up with Roberto Firmino and summer signing Sadio Mane in attack.

There is no place in a Liverpool side captained by Dejan Lovren for Alberto Moreno or Brad Smith, though, as they miss out with a sore neck and groin respectively.

Marko Grujic, a standout performer for the Reds in their victory over Fleetwood Town last time out, is also absent this afternoon due to a virus.

In terms of the hosts, Wigan boss Gary Caldwell has handed Alex Gilbey his first start on home soil since joining from Colchester United, while six development and academy players are included among the subs.

Wigan Athletic XI: Nicholls, Taylor, Pearce, Hendry, Flores, Chow, Gilbey, Morsy, Colclough, Wildschut, Odelusi Subs: Jaaskelainen, Davies, Cosgrove, Whitehead, Gregory, Burke, Barrigan, Lang, O'Brien

Liverpool XI: Karius, Randall, Matip, Lovren, Flanagan, Ejaria, Stewart, Brannagan, Mane, Coutinho, Firmino Subs: George, Lucas, Ilori, Ings, Kent, Wisdom, Markovic, Woodburn, Alexander-Arnold

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