Is This Liverpool’s Strongest Lineup Once Daniel Sturridge Is Completely Fit?

Liverpool fans must be feeling a little better than they did when the season began, the loss of Luis Suarez and the fact that Daniel Sturridge had greatly curtailed their season but a 10 match unbeaten run in all competitions has bought some semblance to a season and with Daniel Sturridge joining the team with full training earlier this week, Liverpool’s season might just seem to pick up at the right point of the season.

Sturridge has not played for the Reds since September when a series of injuries kept him out of the squad. Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert were supposed to fill in for the injured Sturridge but with them failing to do anything significant, Liverpool found a new formation with Raheem Sterling playing as the striker. With Sturridge coming back we look at the best team that Liverpool can have as they challenge for a top 4 position.

No major changes to the formation

This new 3-4-3 formation that Liverpool have adopted provides them the stability they need with Mignolet in goal thanks to a 3 man central defence, in the strongest Liverpool team the 3 man defence would feature Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho and Emre Can, the inclusion of Can over say Kolo Toure might raise some eyebrows but the German has looked fantastic in a defensive role and should keep his place once Sturridge comes back or when Toure comes back from African Cup of Nations duty.

The 4 man midfield should continue by the use of wing backs who provide a defensive cover while they also give the team a chance to attack. Lazar Markovic and Alberto Moreno would be the ideal candidates for the roles. Markovic and Moreno have looked much better since being deployed as wing backs and have actually done really well, often being the best players on the pitch.

The centre of midfield would be a tough choice with Steven Gerrard leaving the club at the end of the season and Lucas doing so well for the club, it was always going to be a tough decision for the likes of Henderson and Allen but we would go ahead with Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson as the first choice pairing.

The forward line would contain Sturridge as he is the best striker that Liverpool have and probably one of the best finishers in the Premier League, to accommodate the English forward, Raheem Sterling would be shifted to the right with Brazilian Philippe Coutinho playing down the left. This is probably Liverpool’s best starting XI after Daniel Sturridge returns.