Brendan Rodgers’ best Liverpool XI after the transfer window…
SEE MORE:
Premier League net spend table
Players available on free transfers
Liverpool signed nine players during the course of the transfer window costing them over £130m, which was mainly funded by the sale of superstar striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona.
Despite the multiple new arrivals, only four of them make it into the side we think Brendan Rodgers should be selecting as his first-choice if he has any hopes of going one better than last season and lifting the Premier League title.
Fielding his tried and tested diamond formation, here’s what we think is Liverpool’s best team…
GK) Victor Valdes
The Spanish goalkeeper is almost certain to sign for Liverpool on a free transfer after agreeing personal terms, and although he isn’t fit until Christmas, we think he’ll eventually earn the no.1 jersey. Simon Mignolet is a good shot-stopper, but he’s error prone, as shown by a gaffe against Manchester City already this season. Valdes is proven quality, and at 32, is in his goalkeeping prime. What’s more, he’s perfectly accustomed to playing the ball out from the back, just the way Rodgers likes it.
DR) Jon Flangaan
Glen Johnson is passed it, and although young Javier Manquillo has done well so far, Flanagan proved last term that he puts in a Herculean effort every time he pulls on a Red shirt. He isn’t glamorous, but he’s effective.
DL) Alberto Moreno
The £12m summer signing proved with his goal at Tottenham that he has the potential to become one of the best bombarding left-backs in the top flight.
DC) Dejan Lovren
Dejan Lovren should start as the right centre-back. The £20m Croat is composed on the ball, and has been signed to fix Liverpool’s leaky defence from last term. He’s been good in patches so far, but needs to up his level. Luckily, he has more than enough talent to do so.
DC) Mamadou Sakho
Martin Skrtel, although a loyal Liverpool servant, is a defensive liability. He’s regularly caught of position, is a huge risk to give away a penalty, and rarely oversees a clean sheet. Sakho can play on the left alongside Lovren. While he looks clumsy on the ball, he actually very rarely gives it away, and is ferociously powerful in the air and the tackle.
DMC) Steven Gerrard
Deep in the anchoring midfield role sits the captain, Steven Gerrard. He controls the tempo with his passes, and delivers the best set-piece in the Premier League. Still has time at the top.
MC) Jordan Henderson
The legs and energy of the side. Henderson’s combative nature and unbelievable pressing sets the tone for Liverpool’s dynamic style, and his offensive contribution is ever improving.
MC) Coutinho
As part of a midfield three last season, Coutinho performed mesmerically against Arsenal and Manchester City, proving he has more than enough ability to make the position his own. Talent wise, there’s few who can lace his boots, although he needs to up his consistency levels, or Joe Allen or new signing Adam Lallana could earn this position.
AMC) Raheem Sterling
Then pivotal position in the midfield diamond must go to Sterling, a teenager who genuinely has the ability to become one of the world’s top two or three players. Through the middle, he’s more devastating than out wide, and his ability to turn and run at defenders splits teams open regularly. Already this term he’s bagged twice, and has been by far and away Liverpool’s best player.
FC) Mario Balotelli
Asking Balotelli to directly replace Luis Suarez in this formation is brave, but if the Italian focuses solely on his football, and forms a strong understanding with Daniel Sturridge, he has the ability to do it. Whether or not he hits the ground running could be pivotal to Liverpool’s season.
FC) Daniel Sturridge
Last term, Sturridge was only outscored by Luis Suarez in the top flight. He’s quick, brings others into play, and bags goals. Liverpool desperately need him to stay fit all campaign.
