Liverpool have a great history and were one of the greatest clubs in the 20th century. But in the past few years, Liverpool’s dominance on the English league has reduced and the Reds are no longer a threat that they used to be. Something was needed to bring Liverpool back on track and Jurgen Klopp’s signing is that something. In just 8 months at the helm, Klopp has brought about a lot of substantial changes and Liverpool finally seem to be on the way to trophies. Liverpool have been very active in the transfer window and Klopp has completed 6 signings so far. All the signings will play a major role next season. Other than these 6 signings, Liverpool were also linked with many big names. Had even a few deals gone through, Liverpool could have become overnight title contenders. Here is a dream Liverpool lineup consisting of players that were linked with Liverpool earlier in the summer.
Dream Lineup
Goalkeeper- Loris Karius
Full Backs- Nathaniel Clyne (Right) and Jonas Hector (Left)
Klopp signed Loris Karius from Mainz as a replacement for the error-prone shot-stopper Simon Mignolet. The young German has come in as a long-term solution as Liverpool’s last line of defense and will become a regular soon.Clyne was one of Liverpool’s best players and his performances have assured him of a permanent place in the squad for the coming seasons. At the opposite position, Alberto Moreno was heavily criticized for his defending skills. Klopp needed to find a replacement and Jonas Hector has been on his radar throughout the summer. Jonas Hector is near-perfect at that position and his signing would have been the best piece of news for Liverpool fans. But that seems impossible this summer.
Centre Backs- Dejan Lovren and Neven Subotic
Lovren’s career was saved by Klopp last season and Skrtel and Toure’s departure have assured him of a permanent place. Also, he ended the last season high on confidence and form and he is expected to carry that form into next season. Subotic was Dortmund’s main centre back during Klopp’s time as Dortmund’s manager and signing him would have formed a strong central pairing for Liverpool. But Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip’s signings mean that Liverpool will not sign a centre back. Subotic would have been a dream signing but it seems unlikely that the dream will come true.
Central Midfielders- Emre Can and Marcelo Brozovic
Emre Cam owns the holding midfield position at Liverpool. His displays last season were phenomenal and he will be in the starting eleven for a lot of seasons to come. Inter Milan’s Brozovic is one of the best central midfielders of his age in Europe. Brozovic had a great season for Inter Milan and signing him would have been a dream move to Liverpool. He would add an attacking threat to Liverpool’s central midfield. But the signing of Wijnaldum means that Liverpool will not sign Brozovic this summer.
Attacking Midfielders- Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, and Mario Gotze
Mario Gotze would have been the biggest signing for Liverpool but the deal did not go through. His signing would add creativity to Liverpool’s attacking midfield and he surely would have been a dream signing. Playing Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho on the right and left of the attacking midfield respectively and Gotze through the centre would have made Liverpool’s attacking midfield the deadliest in the Premier League. This is one of the best dreams which will not come true.
Striker- Gonzalo Higuain
Higuain completes the dream lineup for Liverpool. The Argentine scored 36 goals in 35 games last season and he had expressed his desire to play under Klopp. He is a world class striker and his finishing prowess is exceptional. He is a proven player on the European stage too and so he makes up for the perfect striker for Liverpool.
Realistic Lineup
Th dream lineup mentioned above can make Liverpool title contenders overnight but the reality is quite different. The signings completed can help Liverpool fight for the top-4 and the domestic trophies. Here we have a realistic Liverpool lineup that could start against Arsenal in the Reds’ first Premier League fixture. (Formation- 4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper- Loris Karius
Loris has been pretty good in the pre-season so far. He will replace Mignolet as Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper.
Full Backs- Nathaniel Clyne (Right) and Alberto Moreno (Left)
Nathaniel Clyne is high on form and Liverpool have a very decent right back in the Englishman. He will be expected to perform the same as last season, if not better. Liverpool haven’t signed a left back so far and it seems unlikely that any recruitment will be made at that position. Moreno lacked defensive stability last season and was highly criticized. But he is just 24 and time is on his side. If he can improve on the defensive part of his game, he can become a near-complete left back.
Centre Backs- Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip
Lovren, under Klopp, showed why Liverpool had signed him and he ended the previous season on a high. He commands the defense and he will be the first choice centre-back for Liverpool. Joel Matip completed his move earlier this summer and he has been pretty good in the pre-season so far. Next season, he will be played alongside Lovren at the heart of the defense and will be expected to strike a strong partnership with Lovren.
Central Midfielders- Emre Can and Jordan Henderson
As said earlier, Emre Can owns the holding midfielder position all by himself and he will be a vital player next season for Liverpool. Henderson will also be a key figure, as a leader and a player. Henderson missed many matches last season due to injuries. But he has the potential and amongst the other central midfielders Liverpool have, he is the best. Wijnaldum will also provide stiff competition for a role in the central midfield. But Henderson could get the nod ahead of Dutchman for his leadership qualities.
Attacking Midfielders- Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino
Mame on the right, Coutinho through the centre and Firmino on the left is as good as a dream lineup for Liverpool. All three of them are creative and have great pace. Coutinho was Liverpool’s best player last season and Firmino was also pretty good. Mane had a great season for Southampton and has been good in the pre-season. He will also be a key player next season.
Striker- Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge missed a lot of matches in the first half of the season gone-by but he clearly showed it in the next half that why Liverpool need him. On his day, Sturridge is one of the deadliest strikers and can finish from almost anywhere. If Sturridge maintains his fitness, Liverpool fans can expect a lot of goals from him.
Liverpool do not have the team to compete for the title next season but a top-4 finish is surely possible. Qualifying for the Champions League will help them attract big players and the dream lineup could well become a reality. There’s still a month before the transfer window closes and new players can come in. But for now, the “Realistic Lineup” mentioned above seems to be the best playing eleven that Klopp can field.