Liverpool’s preferred Premier League XI, including potential signings…
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Overnight reports in the Daily Mail suggest that Liverpool are still chasing two new signings this summer, taking their total to nine and completing manager Brendan Rodgers’ preparations for the new season.
With that in mind, here is a potential Liverpool XI come the end of the transfer window:
GK) Simon Mignolet
The Belgian goalkeeper has very little competition for his place with the Reds yet to sign a new goalkeeper, and with the club having let Pepe Reina join Bayern Munich, Brad Jones is likely to continue in the back-up role.
RB) Glen Johnson
The England full-back has been widely criticised for his performances for both club and country in recent times, and he will now need to up his game to keep his place in the team. Especially considering the impressive pre-season debut for Atletico Madrid loanee Javier Manquillo.
LB) Alberto Moreno
The Sevilla full-back has been a long term target for Liverpool this summer, and the player looks set to finally complete his move to Anfield after the two club’s agreed a £12m fee earlier this week.
CB) Martin Skrtel
Liverpool’s best defender last year faces far tougher competition for his place this year, taking into account the arrival of Dejan Lovren, but should at least start the season in the team following his efforts in the previous campaign.
CB) Dejan Lovren
The new man from Southampton will edge out Mamadou Sakho and co after an impressive Liverpool debut against Bourussia Dortmund. After being one of the top defenders in the Premier League last year, the Croatian will be desperate to maintain his form.
DM) Steven Gerrard
For now, there is no displacing the Liverpool captain in this team – at least for Premier League fixtures – with the former England skipper set to continue in the holding midfield role he made his own last season.
CM) Jordan Henderson
Liverpool’s workhorse midfielder is improving rapidly under Brendan Rodgers, and could be set for another big year as an aging Gerrard begins to rely more heavily upon him. Should get the nod over the likes of Lucas, Joe Allen and new man Emre Can.
CM) Philippe Coutinho
Will certainly start the season in Liverpool’s playmaker midfield role, but could face an intense battle with Adam Lallana to earn this spot in the team, once the former Southampton man has returned to full fitness.
RW) Daniel Sturridge
If Liverpool are able to sign the world class striker that Brendan Rodgers craves, then it will likely mean that Daniel Sturridge plays in a variety of positions in and around the front-man. Alternatively, he could become the main man himself following the departure of Luis Suarez, with Lallana or Lazar Markovic taking up this position.
LW) Raheem Sterling
The teenage sensation has been in sparking form during pre-season, and there is no doubt whatsoever that he will be one of the first name’s on Brendan Rodgers’ team-sheet this year.
ST) Radamel Falcao
The giant Colombian is just one of a number of ‘big name’ strikers that Liverpool have inquired over this summer. The Mail suggests that the Reds will go down to the wire in their search to sign a high calibre striker, while the Daily Mirror has revealed that both Falcao and Edinson Cavani remain on Rodgers’ wanted list.
SEE ALSO:
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