Coming off a surprise title challenge last season, Liverpool have undoubtedly been the busiest team in the transfer market this summer.
They’ve sold star talisman Luis Suarez to Barcelona, and have brought in over £100million worth of signings.
In defence, they’ve captured right-back Javier Manquillo, left-back Alberto Moreno, and centre-back Dejan Lovren.
Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, have been brought in to strengthen the midfield while Rickie Lambert and Divock Origi are on the Reds’ attacking books.
Yet despite all this, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is still in the market for more players. Who will he be looking to add to their squad to field their strongest possible team (4-3-3)?
Here is the DREAM STARTING XI for Liverpool on Sunday.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON BRENDAN RODGERS TO SEE THE FULL SQUAD!
[/ffc-gallery]
Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet
Despite many critics believing Liverpool can find a better goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet has been assured by manager Brendan Rodgers he is to be their number one this season.
Liverpool had no reluctance in letting go of veteran keeper Pepe Reina to Bayern Munich, and have not been heavily linked to sign any big name keeper.
However the Anfield club are in talks to bring Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero from Sampdoria, but it is expected Romero will be playing second-fiddle unless Mignolet drops a few clangers.
Left Back: Alberto Moreno
After a two month chase, Liverpool have finally signed £12million left-back Alberto Moreno from Sevilla this past week.
He will be a decent upgrade to John Flanagan, who deputise on the left but is naturally a right-sided player.
Moreno was Rodgers’ priority transfer for much of the summer, and he wouldn’t prefer anyone else in the role.
Centre Back: Dejan Lovren
The third Southampton capture of the summer, Dejan Lovren arrived at Anfield for £20million… but has already earned praised from his manager as being the “New Jamie Carragher.”
Lovren is very cultured centre-back, able to pass the ball well but also threaten in the opponent’s six yard box, in which he scored in Liverpool’s 4-0 rout over Borussia Dortmund.
And although competition for a centre-back berth is tough at the Kop, he is considered the perfect foil to expected partner…
Centre Back: Mamadou Sakho
Sakho was considered to be Brendan Rodgers’ “marquee signing” last summer, but due to injuries and poor form wasn’t able to showcase his immense ability.
He did however play well enough to star for France in the World Cup this past summer, and performed admirably before losing to eventual champions Germany 1-0 in the round-of-sixteen.
If Sakho can stay fit and on form, it is fair to say Sakho will get the nod to partner Lovren in the middle of defence.
Right Back: Dani Alves
When Liverpool ended their pre-season tour of the US, fans were calling for Rodgers to axe Glen Johnson after his “lazy” performances.
And not long after Rodgers signed Atletico Madrid right-back Javier Manquillo on loan, but being only 20 years of age is nowhere near the finished article.
Barcelona full-back Dani Alves is however available in the market, and would be a dream capture for Liverpool to maraud down the right flanks.
More importantly it could force Rodgers to sell Johnson, to the pleasure of the fans.
Centre Midfield: Steven Gerrard
Captain fantastic will undoubtedly play a major role for Liverpool this season.
Gerrard is however now expected to play a much deeper position than during his box-to-box days, but his passing ability allows him to do so.
He will therefore need a more dynamic player occupying the other midfield slot next to him, able to pressure opponents and give the now retired England captain time on the ball.
Centre Midfield: Jordan Henderson
The player that is Gerrard’s perfect foil is none other than Jordan Henderson.
Henderson brings so much energy to the Liverpool midfield, and after improving over recent years is close to living up to his expensive £20million price tag from three summers ago.
His goal output has also been increasing of late, and we could see the 24-year-old finally burst out to become Liverpool’s next goal-scoring midfielder.
Attacking Midfield: Philippe Coutinho
A lot of great things are expected of Coutinho this season, with manager Brendan Rodgers already saying the little Brazilian is the “brain” of his new Liverpool squad.
Coutinho has all the technical abilities required to be one of the league’s best attacking midfielders, combining quick feet with passing precision.
If the Coutinho ticks Liverpool will most likely tick, with a lot of the attacking impetus likely to come from the former Inter Milan man.
Right Wing: Raheem Sterling
Liverpool’s break-out star last season, Raheem Sterling scored nine goals and provided seven assists before becoming England’s best player at the World Cup.
At just 19 years of age, Sterling is still on his way to fulfilling his massive potential with Brendan Rodgers already comparing him to the likes of Lionel Messi.
If Sterling manages to improve on his stellar campaign last season, he will hold down the Liverpool right wing role and be a thorn to any defence in the league.
Left Wing: Daniel Sturridge
Being rotated in the attacking positions in Rodgers’ 4-3-3 system, Daniel Sturridge applied himself spectacularly combining with Luis Suarez to finish with 22 goals and eight assists last season.
But now with his partner in crime having departed to Barcelona, this year will see whether Sturridge can step up and make the Kop forget about the feisty Uruguayan.
If Liverpool were to discontinue their activity in the transfer market, then Adam Lallana would be the choice on the left wing… but Sturridge is deployed here because their dream summer coup would start up front.
Striker: Edinson Cavani
Cavani is hands down one of the best strikers on the planet, and is the player that if signed will secure Liverpool as definite title challengers.
Unhappy playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Paris Saint-Germain, the Uruguayan has been forced to play out wide in Paris but still managed to score 25 goals in all competitions.
Cavani pressures frantically, has incredible finishing ability, but more importantly wants to play football regularly in his favoured striker position.
His record speaks for itself, scoring 129 goals in just four seasons (three with Napoli and one with PSG).
Edinson Cavani is the final piece in Liverpool’s dream starting XI.
//www.youtube.com/embed/rVfqjqLagck
