After enduring a poor start to the 2017 calendar year, Liverpool seem to have found their winning ways with back to back wins over Arsenal and Burnley in the Premier League.
The competition for the Champions League spots is far from over, but given their current form and their relatively easy run in at the end of the season, the Reds seem to be the favourites to seal the final place in the top four behind Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City.
However, for them to be up there again next season and to compete on the European stages, bringing in some big players in the summer window will be of paramount importance for Liverpool. And according to reports, manager Jurgen Klopp is set to be handed a £150-million transfer war chest to go and get his transfer targets in the summer.
Here, we look at how Liverpool could line up if they manage to secure the signings of their targets:
Formation: 4-3-3
Simon Mignolet (GK)
Simon Mignolet has been resurgent with his form and has managed to improve himself after a slow start to the season and a lot of criticism. It might be the case after all, that Klopp may not be looking to replace the Belgian.
Nathaniel Clyne (RB)
The former Southampton man is an extremely important part of this Liverpool side. His position in the starting XI is an absolute certainty.
Joel Matip (CB)
In the heart of the defence Joel Matip might continue. The Cameroonian international has very soon established himself as the defensive mainstay for the Reds and with him at the back, there is a sense of defensive stability for Liverpool.
Virgil van Dijk (CB)
Slotting alongside Matip will be Southampton star defender Virgil van Dijk, if Liverpool manage to get their hands on him. The £40-million man has been targeted by the Reds for a long time now and signing him would be a true statement of intent from Liverpool.
Sead Kolasinac (LB)
On the left-side of the defence, we could see 23-year old Sead Kolasinac come into the side. The Schalke defender is in the final few months of his contract and Klopp is an admirer of the Bosnian and is reportedly interested in signing him up for free. He would be an ideal fit into the way Liverpool play and could displace veteran James Milner as the left-back.
Naby Keita (DM)
Another transfer target from the Bundesliga, RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita will bolster the Liverpool midfield greatly. The Guinean international has been the driving force behind the newly promoted German side’s surprise title challenge this season. His tenacity and control of the game from the middle of the park could have a similar effect on the Reds.
Jordan Henderson (CM)
With Keita fitting in at the base of the three-man midfield, we could see captain Jordan Henderson occupy a slightly advanced position in the centre of the pitch. There will be a healthy competition between the captain and the excellent Georginio Wijnaldum for this place, and with European involvement on cards, there will be plenty of rotation among Hendo, Gini and Keita.
Adam Lallana (CM)
Occupying the final position in the three-pronged midfield will be the brilliant Adam Lallana. The 28-year old has finally found his groove at Anfield this season and is playing his best football in Liverpool colours this season. Will be involved in the rotation with Wijnaldum and Keita.
Sadio Mane (RW)
On the right-flank, Sadio Mane is the undisputed starter. The summer signing has been explosive since his arrival and has made such a huge impact. He will be crucial for Liverpool in the years to come as they chase glory.
Philippe Coutinho (LW)
On the opposite flank, it will be Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian signed a long-term contract not so long ago and has been the main man in Liverpool’s resurgence under Klopp. No-brainer here.
Alexandre Lacazette (CF)
And leading the line will be current Olympique Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette. The Frenchman has made it clear he wants to leave the French side in the summer and a number of English clubs are believed to be chasing him, along with Liverpool. But with Daniel Sturridge likely to be heading towards the exit door, Liverpool could be the perfect destination for Lacazette. The Reds could benefit immensely from his goal-scoring ability.
Liverpool Women host Aston Villa at St. Helens Stadium on Sunday in a match that could seal their fate as relegation candidates. The Reds sit at the bottom of the WSL table with just 7 points from 14 matches, while Villa occupy 8th with 16 points after suffering a late 2-1 defeat to Everton last weekend.
Gareth Taylor’s side are running out of time to save their season with just nine games remaining. The 3-1 loss to Manchester United exposed glaring defensive frailties that have plagued Liverpool all campaign, and Villa will fancy their chances of collecting three crucial points away from home.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Sunday, February 8, 2026
Venue: St Helens Stadium, St Helens
TV: Sky Sports
Taylor’s Honeymoon Period Emphatically Over
The former Manchester City coach has endured a nightmare start to life at Liverpool, winning just once in the league this season against Tottenham on January 25th. That solitary victory briefly offered hope before reality crashed back down at Old Trafford last weekend.
Martha Thomas, Denise O’Sullivan, and Alice Bergstrom have provided attacking quality since arriving in January, but the Reds continue shipping goals at an alarming rate. Liverpool have conceded 24 goals already, giving them the joint worst defensive record alongside West Ham.
Villa Struggling for Consistency
Aston Villa threw away a winning position against Everton after Ebony Salmon’s early opener, eventually succumbing to Martina Fernandez’s late strike. Natalia Arroyo’s side remains frustratingly inconsistent despite flashes of quality throughout the season.
The Villans beat Brighton 2-1 before the Everton loss, but were thrashed 4-1 by Manchester United the week prior. Villa needs to string together consecutive wins if they harbour any ambitions of climbing back towards mid table.
Predicted Lineups:
Liverpool (4-1-4-1): Falk; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Bernabe; Nagano; Bergstrom, O’Sullivan, Kapocs, Holland; Thomas
Aston Villa (3-4-2-1): Roebuck; Blinkilde, Mayling, Pacheco; Mullett, Dali, Blindkilde, Deslandes; Salmon, Lehmann; Daly
Liverpool
Liverpool Goalkeeper Loaned to Bayer Leverkusen as Reds Look to Clear Path for Jennifer Falk and Rachael Laws
Liverpool have sent goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe back to Germany on a loan deal until the end of the season, with the 25 year old joining Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Google Pixel Frauen Bundesliga.
The move makes perfect sense for both parties as Gareth Taylor’s side have already solidified their goalkeeping options during the January window.
Borggräfe joined Liverpool from SC Freiburg last summer but has struggled to establish herself as a regular starter, making just four appearances in all competitions during her time at Merseyside. A six match suspension handed out by the Football Association following an incident during pre season further set back her development at the club.
Ban and Limited Minutes Force Liverpool’s Hand
The suspension was a significant blow for the German international, who was already finding it difficult to break into a competitive goalkeeping setup. Liverpool dealt with the matter internally and have now moved on, but the timing of the ban clearly played a role in the decision to send her back to familiar surroundings in Germany.
Falk Making Impressive Start at Liverpool
Liverpool strengthened their goalkeeping ranks considerably during January by bringing in Swedish international Jennifer Falk on loan from BK Häcken. Falk has made an impressive early impression on Merseyside and has established herself as a key figure between the sticks.
Smart Squad Management From Taylor
With both Falk and Rachael Laws competing for the first choice jersey, opportunities for Borggräfe would have been extremely limited for the rest of the season. This is exactly the kind of smart squad management Liverpool need right now as they desperately fight to avoid the relegation playoff at the bottom of the WSL table.
Liverpool are next in action against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, with Taylor hoping his side can build on their encouraging recent form.
Manchester United Women host bottom placed Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday as Marc Skinner’s side look to extend their impressive seven game unbeaten run in all competitions. The Red Devils sit fourth in the WSL table, just one point behind third placed Arsenal, while the visitors are desperately fighting to avoid the relegation playoff.
United head into this derby clash in excellent form following their 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa last weekend. Goals from Julia Zigiotti Olme, Elisabeth Terland, Jess Park and Hanna Lundkvist secured a dominant away victory that continued their momentum after beating Arsenal in the League Cup semi finals.
Kick-off: 11:55 GMT, Sunday, February 2, 2026
Venue: Leigh Sports Village, Manchester
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
United Chasing Champions League Qualification
This is a must win game for Manchester United if they want to maintain their push for UWCL qualification. Just four points separate Tottenham in fifth from Chelsea in second, making every match crucial in this tight battle for European places.
Skinner remains without Leah Galton and Ella Toone due to back and hip injuries respectively, though Gabby George and Fridolina Rolfo have returned to training. Elisabeth Terland and Hanna Lundkvist are pushing for starts after impressive substitute appearances against Villa.
Liverpool Boosted by First Win
Liverpool finally recorded their first WSL victory of the season last weekend, beating Tottenham with two stoppage time goals. Gareth Taylor has strengthened considerably in January, and several new arrivals featured in that crucial home win.
The Reds remain without Sam Kerr, Martha Thomas, Marie Hobinger and Zara Shaw, while January signing Anna Josendal is not ready to debut. Beata Olsson is back in full training and could feature.
Predicted Lineups:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti Olme; Wangerheim, Park, Malard; Terland
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Falk; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Woodham; Nagano, O’Sullivan; Bergstrom, Kapocs, Holland; Enderby
Also read: Arsenal WFC vs. Leicester City WFC: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
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