Here we are then, little more than a month to until the start of the new Premier League season and our squad is very much starting to take shape. Six new signings have come in already and we get the sense that there’s more still to come.
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Below, we discuss how our squad is lining up so far, consider where and how we might improve it and recommend potential signings that might help fill any remaining voids in our line-up.
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of the page.
Goalkeepers
Adam Bogdan has been brought in to rival Simon Mignolet for his spot in the team, which was looking increasingly secure thanks to a fine run of form during the back-end of last season. The Hungarian is undoubtedly an upgrade on Brad Jones, having played more than 100 games for Bolton, and should get some chances in the cup competitions.
Mignolet will need to continue his recent upward trend and have a good season for us. If he doesn’t, we can see him being replaced next summer. He’ll have had three years at the club by that point and should be at the peak of his powers. Bogdan is likely to be a decent long-term option, as Jones was during his time at the club.
Danny Ward, who would have been third choice, has joined Aberdeen on loan. That should mean Lawrence Vigouroux steps into his void, with the former Tottenham man providing cover for any injured absentees. Both players have signed new contracts this summer so are clearly considered options for the future.
Full-Backs
Nathaniel Clyne replaces Glen Johnson at right-back. With two young, exciting and attacking full-backs now in our ranks, we could potentially be set for the next five years or so. We can’t make any guarantees of course and it’s important that we have decent back-up options in the squad as well.
On the right, we’ve also got Andre Wisdom – complete with a new long-term contract – and Javier Manquillo, whose loan spell from Atletico Madrid could still be cut short after a disappointing first year at Anfield (via Sky Sports). Academy star Ryan McLaughlin might also be hoping for a chance in the Europa League.
On the left, our options are more limited. Alberto Moreno’s only cover at this point is provided by Jose Enrique and Jon Flanagan, who have both been plagued by injury problems in recent times. Flanagan has signed a new deal, but if Enrique does depart this summer then a new signing is a must. Sweden’s Ludwig Augustinsson would do nicely, as the Metro has suggested.
Centre-Backs
There are plenty of options for us here, but still plenty of question marks over who is going to play regularly. Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren are the three obvious candidates and it could well come down to which two players look the better during our pre-season campaign.
We’ve not seen the best of Sakho or Lovren since their respective moves to the club and they will both want to endear themselves to the fans over the next twelve months. If neither player proves themselves capable, we’ve still got the experience of Kolo Toure to call upon.
The Ivory Coast star is likely to have been retained so that he can help bring through and develop the next generation of Liverpool defenders. New signing Joe Gomez – who impressed with Charlton Athletic last season – and Portuguese Under-21 international Tiago Ilori will be hoping for a chance to show what they can do.
Centre Midfielders
Our success in this position is going to come down to how well we deal with the departure of Steven Gerrard, who has of course joined LA Galaxy. Jordan Henderson and new signing James Milner are probably most people’s preferred central pairing at this stage, with Emre Can winning a three-man race against Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva to play in the more defensive role.
Ideally, there’ll still be one more new player to come in here. As it stands, there is a lot of plus points for our midfield, including its work-rate, energy, strength and power. What we perhaps lack is that silky, deep-lying playmaker. Someone in the ilk of Xabi Alonso.
There have been plenty of names linked with us, including Inter Milan duo Hernanes and Mateo Kovacic, as referenced here by The Telegraph. However, we’re yet to hear anything more than rumours and this could be the signing we’re waiting on until transfer deadline day.
Attacking Midfielders
We’re certainly well stacked in this position. Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic and Jordon Ibe are among the most prominent options currently at our disposal, while no doubt the likes of Sheyi Ojo, Harry Wilson and Bobby Adekanye will be hoping to make the odd appearance as well.
As things stand, the Brazilian duo will probably be starting come the first day of the season. The signing of Firmino is surely the latest indication that Raheem Sterling won’t be a Liverpool player come the start of our next campaign, although we’re yet to see much in the way of progress regarding Manchester City’s reported interest in the player (via Daily Mail).
There have also been rumours circulating on social media that Lazar Markovic could be heading out on loan as well, although we’d hope that both he and Ibe will be given a chance to show what they can do in their more natural positions next season, rather than as makeshift wing-backs.
Strikers
It’s going to be completely new-look front line for our next season. Daniel Sturridge will be joined by Danny Ings and Divock Origi once he’s eventually returned from injury, with our two new signings joining from Burnley and Lille – where Origi was on loan last season – respectively. The four spot – with the general rule of thumb being that every good team needs four solid options – remains very much up for grabs.
Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert’s Liverpool careers all look to be coming to an end (via the Daily Mirror), while it’s probably too soon for youngsters Jerome Sinclair and Samed Yesil.
Christian Benteke is the overwhelming favourite to come in, although Aston Villa are digging their heels in over their outrageous £32.5m asking price (via Sky Sports). With Carlos Bacca – the first choice for many of our fans – having now joined AC Milan, our time and options to find someone better than the Belgian are quickly running out.
