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Liverpool fans will get a first look at the club’s four summer signings in the friendly with Preston North End.

The Reds travel to Deepdale to face the League One side this afternoon where they will contest the Bill Shankly Trophy, a piece of silverware specially commissioned for the game.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is to hand Simon Mignolet, Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas their club debuts today as the side kick off their pre-season campaign.

Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling, whose seasons were curtailed because of injury, are in contention for a return but captain Steven Gerrard will not be in the squad to face Preston.

Defender Martin Kelly will be assessed ahead of the game but his return from major injury will not be rushed.

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“Raheem has looked great,” said Rodgers.

“These are players that are coming back and have looked very good in the early parts of training.

“With Martin Kelly, we just need to assess to see how and where Martin is at. He has obviously worked very hard to get back fit. He has been involved in a lot of the sessions so far. We just need to assess that to see whether Saturday will be the right game for him to come in.”

Today’s game with Preston marks the beginning of Liverpool’s build-up towards the new Premier League campaign.

Following this afternoon’s game, the Reds fly out to Indonesia on Tuesday before to face an Indonesia XI before travel to Australia and Thailand for further friendlies.

And it will be in Melbourne where unsettled striker Luis Suarez will join back up with the squad following his holiday.

Reds boss Rodgers has revealed he is in daily contact with the Uruguayan hit-man who has made it clear he wants to move away from Anfield.

“We’re communicating in some way with him nearly every day – either through text or conversation – and I hope he stays. I really do, “said Rodgers.

“Over the course of the last few months and towards the end of last season there was a lot of speculation about Luis because of his situation and what happened (the Ivanovic biting incident) but the fact is we value the player – he had a terrific season for us and showed his qualities.

“I’m in regular communication with him both through texts and conversations on the phone.

“He’s an absolute magician on the football field and a very valued player by us.”