Strongest Liverpool Lineup With A Fully Fit Squad At Klopp’s Disposal
Jurgen Klopp is making some serious strides in the transfer market as he is determined to improve the quality of the squad for next season, after taking his Liverpool side to the Champions League. The manager has already spent on Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Dominic Solanke while letting Brazilian star Lucas Leiva leave this summer.
They are extensively targeting Naby Keita from RB Leipzig and Virgil van Dijk from Southampton but neither deal seems to be in the offing anytime soon. Liverpool do have some frailties in their lineup, but if they are not able to sign either name, they could end up with a similar first team to what it is at the moment. So what is Liverpool’s strongest lineup when all their players are fit?
System
Klopp used a 4-3-3 last season with one holding midfielder and two free-roaming ones. However, with Salah in the squad, Klopp can move to a 4-2-3-1 system, which was fruitful in his Dortmund days.
Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Belgian star Simon Mignolet did extremely well last season and played a major role in taking Liverpool to the Champions League. He seems confident in the pre-season games as well and could be used ahead of Loris Karius, who is still a bit young in his PL career.
Nathaniel Clyne will have tough competition from young Trent Alexander Arnold but the former Southampton man should keep his place at right back while James Milner should be the first choice, over Robertson, who has just been signed.
Cameroon international Joel Matip was easily the best CB for Liverpool last season and is expected to start while Dejan Lovren, who was decent in bits, should partner him. Ragnar Klavan remains the first backup option and might get some competition from Joe Gomez, who could also be on his way out of the club this summer.
Midfield
Skipper Jordan Henderson showed in the pre-season that he is in bright form and recently revealed that he is fitter than ever. He should be the first choice as a part of the midfield pairing for Klopp next season. German international Emre Can, who is expected to sign a new contract, is his natural partner, and Liverpool again, have no real backups for this role next season. Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum are better suited in a more attacking role and might not be used in this position next season.
Attack
With Mohamed Salah an option on the wing, Klopp should use him in his first team straight away and should strip Sadio Mane of his place on the right wing. The Senegalese star can start on the left flank, a role he is well accustomed to from his time at RB Salzburg.
Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho will take the number 10 role from the start next season, acting as the furthest of the midfield attackers while his national compatriot Roberto Firmino leads the race to start for Liverpool in attack.
Daniel Sturridge has looked fitter than before in the pre-season and if he can keep himself available regularly, he will surely push Firmino for a place in the first team.
Here is how Liverpool could line up (with no further additions to the squad):
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