CM – Steven Gerrard
The captain may now be 34-years-old, but is showing no signs of slowing down and having now retired from international football can concentrate solely on trying to improve his beloved boyhood side.
CM – Jordan Henderson
Over the past 12 months the 23-year-old has shown why the club were moved to pay £20m to the Black Cats for him in 2011 and looks like the natural successor to Gerrard as leader.
CAM – Philippe Coutinho
Another young player who has greatly improved under Rodgers and if Coutinho can improve his shooting game the Brazilian could well be considered among the finest playmakers in the English top tier.