Szoboszlai can provide Slot with a timely answer when the Premier League action gets underway

IT'S been easy to forget during an unprecedented summer for Liverpool.

- By IAN DOYLE

But amid all the new signings and debates over possible departures, there's one player who will definitely not be lining up for the Reds when they begin the Premier League season at home to Bournemouth on August 15.

The red card for Ryan Gravenberch during the campaign finale against Crystal Palace at Anfield last May means the Dutchman, who had featured in all bar one topflight game last season on the way to Arne Slot's side winning the championship, will serve a one-match Premier League suspension.

Gravenberch’s temporary absence is a further strand to what has not been an easy preseason for Liverpool as they regroup ahead of the defence of their title.

The tragic death of Diogo Jota has not only shorn the squad of one of its most popular members and the forward line of arguably its more natural finisher, it has understandably also disrupted planned preparations.

The Reds are therefore not quite operating with the same collective sharpness and understanding as many of their expected rivals, with the added complication of having to integrate a raft of new signings to which more are likely to be added by the September 1 transfer deadline.