How the Reds will line up next season.
SEE ALSO: The most expensive Premier League transfers ever.
Liverpool’s latest £20m signing Dejan Lovren completes a trio of raids on Southampton this summer, and gives Brendan Rodgers’ side an exciting new look as they look to challenge for the Premier League title again this season.
It seems possible that the Croatian centre-back will arrive as Daniel Agger leaves the club for Barcelona, and the 25-year-old will almost certainly become first choice at Anfield, alongside his other former Saints team-mates.
Taking into account the inclusion of all of the club’s new signings so far this summer, here’s a look at a possible 4-4-2 formation that Liverpool could be fielding as their first choice XI for next season.
Goalkeeper and defence:
A left-back will still be a priority in the transfer market for Liverpool, although even with the out-of-position Jon Flanagan still continuing on the left-hand side of the Reds back four, the club look in good shape in this department for next season. Dejan Lovren is a quality addition and could form a good partnership with Martin Skrtel in the centre of defence, with Daniel Agger perhaps leaving for Barcelona in a move that could benefit for both clubs. The long-serving Danish international has been a great servant to Liverpool, but Lovren now looks the better player and they should take full advantage of Barcelona’s interest as they look to reshape their backline, which was certainly a weak point for the club in their narrow miss in the Premier League title race last season.
Midfield:
In a four-man midfield, Liverpool could use three of their new signings in that area this season, with another ex-Southampton star lining up on the right flank and Serbian youngster Lazar Markovic on the opposite side, giving Rodgers’ team far more quality in the wide areas than they had available to them last season. Outstanding midfield prospect Emre Can could become first-choice partner for skipper Steven Gerrard ahead of the likes of Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva, with the club spending a relatively high amount to lure him away from Bayer Leverkusen.
Strikers:
Although Liverpool missed out on the signing of Loic Remy after the French striker failed a medical when a £8.5m move from Queens Park Rangers was all but complete, the Reds still look strong upfront next season. Luis Suarez will undoubtedly prove near impossible to replace fully, but Rickie Lambert can provide a good, experienced option up top for Rodgers’ side, and form a good partnership with fellow England international Daniel Sturridge in attack. Although it is not yet clear if the veteran forward will be first choice, his understanding with Lallana and Lovren from their time at St Mary’s could mean there is a good chemistry to this side next season. If rumours are to be believed, they could even be joined by another of their former team mates as Rodgers targets Jay Rodriguez as an alternative to Remy upfront, though Southampton will surely be desperate to avoid losing a fourth key player to the Merseyside giants this summer.
Liverpool XI in full: