Predicting the possible Liverpool Lineup for next season
As the new season dawns near, Liverpool would be looking to go one step ahead of the 2013-14 campaign where the Anfield outfit narrowly finished runners up to the eventual Champions Manchester City. With a lot of transfer activity already done and more to follow, here is how the Reds might line up next season.
Goalkeper:
Simon Mignolet remains the Liverpool number one as Pepe Reina is reportedly set to continue his second straight stint at Italian side Napoli after both clubs agreed to pay the player’s wages in a 50-50 deal. Brendan Rodgers is expected to sign a backup to Mignolet despite the reds having Brad Jones at their disposal. Mexico’s World Cup star Guillermo Ochoa had a stunning tournament and the South American is available for a free transfer. Monoliths distribution, however needs to improve as the Belgian has shown he is prone to mistakes when put under pressure.
Defenders:
Glen Johnson’s form is a huge worry for the Reds and it might be just the season where Jon Flanagan’s finally can muster up a right back slot for the Merseyside giants. Liverpool have been after Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno but talks have died down over the past few weeks, hence the fit again Jose Enrique will start on the left back spot after shrugging off his long absence. Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel will once again form the central defensive partnership and the future surrounding Daniel Agger is under speculation. The Reds have been linked to Cardiff’s Steven Caulker in a cut price deal.
Midfield:
Rodgers’ tactical flexibility will be interesting to watch out for as the Irishman has shown immense versatility in getting the best of the team with a 4-3-3 diamond or a more robust 4-2-3-1 when required. New signing Emre Can is expected to fit in at the central defensive midfield role, acting as a screen in front of the back four and Lucas Leiva is set to complete his loan move to Napoli to reunite with former manager Rafa Benitez. Joe Allen needs to improve his game to have a chance in the starting eleven as English International Jordan Henderson should be drafted in a free role in the middle of the park being relieved of his defensive abilities and more as a passer than a likely creator in the attacking third. New signing Adam Lallana should play on the left wing, a role which he has played to perfection for Southampton last season.
Attacking Midfield:
Raheem Sterling’s versatility, creative imagination and poise on the ball means the Englishman will be playing in the number ten role. It would be interesting to see how Rodgers fits in new signing Adam Lallana and the Brazilian Coutinho along with transfer target Lazar Markovic, the latter who is reportedly close to the Merseyside outfit. While Markovic can also play as a second striker and also on the wings, the Serbian’s pace to burn and run past defenders will have a strong claim to slot in a starting eleven spot.
Lallana’s arrival and Sterling’s impressive form from last year should mean that Rodgers will push Coutinho to bench allowing both the English stars to start in the attacking role constantly switching their places to form a successful partnership with Daniel Sturridge upfront. Meanwhile, club captain Steven Gerrard may not start as many matches as he used to.
Strikeforce:
Luis Suarez’s imminent deal to Barcelona will be a huge loss for Liverpool with Daniel Sturridge given extra responsibility to lead the line on his own. Belgium’s World Cup star Divock Origi and Swansea’s Wilfried Bony are the recent names linked with the Reds and it would be interesting to see if the Anfield side resort to two strikers at the front.
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