New look Liverpool: What would be our best 11?

[Nike19]

So Phillipe is to be reintegrated back into our squad (at least for the time being??).

We bought the Ox adding onto Solanke and Salah. We already had Mane from last season, and even more established is Adam Lallana.

Our defence is still in need of a boost, but in the meantime, what would make a good starting 11?

I’ll give this a go:

1 Karius
2 Roberton
3 Matip
4 Lovren (could Flanagan be moved to a centre back role? or van Dijk in January?)
5 Clyne
6 Milner (Naby Kieta next season!)
7 Oxlaid
8 Lallana
9 Coutinho
10 Mane
11 Salah

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[nine nine nine]

nb, I can’t see any real changes to Liverpool’s current starting eleven other than the confusion as to who will play in goal Oxlade Chamberlain is primarily a squad player and his versatility is useful.

Liverpool are brilliant in forward mode but still remain fragile defensively and until Klopp finds a final solution to his Keeper situation, strengthens the Centre Back area and Keita arrives defence imo will remain their Achilles heel and hamper them from truly competing for the title this season with the Manchester clubs.

From a neutrals viewpoint Liverpool are really enjoyable to watch though.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Nike19]

I could quite easily see a differing of views 999 on selection which is healthy because we are now in a position where there’s not a ‘default’ first 11. For instance, there’s no Firmino, Sturridge, Can, Henderson, or Wyjnaldum who could quite be placed there.

Though you’re right as far as the defence goes, it’s very much thread bare though I do hope the reintegrating of Jon Flanagan and new signing Andrew Robertson will provide some discipline that is much needed.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[nine nine nine]

nb, I agree Liverpool’s options are stronger now with the likes of Salah and Ox even Robertson.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[nutts]

The side I’d like to see play this season when everyone is fit

1 Migs
2 Roberton
3 Matip
4 Lovren (or Gomez if he proves himself)
5 TAA
6 Can
7 Lallana
8 Coutinho
9 Mane
10 Firmino
11 Salah

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Big Jim]

Nil, I can’t see Liverpool winning too many games with Milner and Chamberlain both starting in midfield. Neither offers enough really. Klopp will surely put one or both on the bench.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Nike19]

You might be right Big Jim.

I appreciate we can’t hide from the fact we’ve not done incredibly well as far as strengthening the defence goes, though we’ve brought players like for like to bulk up the midfield and attack.

There are reasons to such as being able to manage multiple competitions positively. So when playing midweek in the CL, there is still a good enough first 11 to select and compete in a PL game whatever the opposition.

And we can’t sweep under the rug players who have faced difficulties in sustaining themselves injury-free. Players like Sturridge and Henderson. The negotiated deal with Ox-Chamberlain was so he would be able to play in ‘his’ preferred position. That would suit Liverpool nicely if Henderson was not available for one reason or another.

Solanke too was brought in because we don’t really have a striker beyond Sturridge other than Danny Ings, but I wonder whether he is in Jurgen Klopp’s long-term plans. Origi seems out of favour and thus is out on loan.

Time will tell of course in how the season pans out and whether or not it will be an improvement on the last.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Hightown hope]

If we were playing the Champions League final tomorrow (ha!) and everyone was fit (ha again!) this would be my team with subs…

Migs
Clyne (just)
Robertson
Matip
Lovren
Can
Gini
Couts (just! Making some assumptions here)
Salah
Bobby
Mane

Subs

Ward
TAA
Klavan
Hendo
Ox
Lallana
Studge

Tough on Gomez Milner and Solanke particularly but there you go!

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[J C]

Same team as you nutts, except Henderson instead of Can.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Editor]

JC, Nutts, Hightown, do you all only see Ox as a squad player rather than someone who will get straight in as a starter? I can’t see who he would replace but I’d be surprised if he’s turned down Arsenal and Chelsea for a place on Liverpool’s bench for a lower wage than either of them were offering

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[J C]

Good question Editor.
He’s versatile and might get a chance at midfield, but we really needed cover for Mane and Salah, and I suspect that’s the main reason he was signed. He won’t get into the first 11 when everyone’s fit right now. But who knows, if Klopp and his staff can improve his fitness (he seems overweight) we might see Ox get back to his old self and challenge for a place in the first 11. But for now he’s third place, behind Mane and Salah, in our winger pecking order.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Editor]

Yeah I think Liverpool really suffered last season when Mane wasn’t available. Ox’s versatility will be a huge asset. Although I’ve never been convinced by him playing centrally, at least he’s comfortable there. As you say though, he provides much better back up for the likes of Mane than you’ve had previously.

With the amount of games the CL clubs have to play, I often wonder if there is such a thing as a first choice XI anymore. They’ll all get plenty of games I reckon.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[nutts]

I think with us playing on 4 fronts this season, there’s the potential for the first 16 to get a lot of starts. I don’t think Ox will start many big PL games, but he may start him for some cup games and CL games.

But a lot depends on whether Klopp changes his formation for some games (which I don’t think is likely).

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[gingerlfc]

I don’t think there’s gonna be a “first 11” as such.
Sure there will be players that Klopp trusts/prefers over others but with the amount of games we’re gonna have this season I can see the team being heavily rotated.
We’ve seen already changes being made to the team and we’re only 5 games in. Take a look at our fixture pile up from the 18th Nov until the new year. It’s hectic. There will be plenty of changes made depending on injuries, form, comp, home, away etc.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Hightown hope]

I totally agree, Ginger, but I’d be interested in your team in the scenario of a Champions League final tomorrowtomorrow with everyone fit and available.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[gingerlfc]

Clynes not even in the CL squad so that rules him out of any CL games in the groups stages.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Hightown hope]

Is he nit? I’d missed that! What’s the story there? So come on, give me your starting line-up!

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[gingerlfc]

Suppose it would have to be…
Migs, TAA, Matip, Lovren, Robbo, Hendo, Can, Coutinho, Mané, Salah, Firmino.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Nike19]

Don’t want to start a new thread on this, but would greatly appreciate in light of yesterday’s whitewash what defensive line up would Posters choose. Would you include Mignolet or give Karius?

I’m desperate for example, Jon Flanagan to be reintegrated back into the first team even if that means placing him alongside Joel Matip as a Centre-half. Nathaniel Clyne looks as though he’ll be out for quite some time, so Flanagan could play there like he did under Rodgers.

Robertson too should be prioritized ahead of Alberto Moreno, otherwise why has Jurgen Klopp signed him? Baring in mind we don’t have a great deal of defenders in the squad in the first place, I’d bring in Lovren and give Karius another chance so the back four would look something like this:

Karius – Robertson – Lovren – Matip – Flanagan.

Moving onto the Midfield, I would consider playing Ox in the centre along with Can and Milner – drop Henderson and Wijn.

As far as our forward line goes, I’d reintegrate Coutinho to play him on the left, with Salah on the right, and then Sturridge/Solanke as a central striker – drop Firmino.

I’d understand anybody coming forward in disagreement, but just feel a shake up is needed on the back of yesterday’s humiliation.

_____________________________

React below 👇

*hover/click on the number below the reaction to see who reacted

[Author]

Posts