Liverpool had a busy summer this time around with the Reds boss Jurgen Klopp rebuilding a squad fit to challenge the Premier League title in the 2016-2017 campaign. The Reds have so far signed seven new players to the squad since the start of the summer transfer window.
However, the former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes that the Reds started this season without any first choice striker, and that is because of the renewed competition in the squad for places in the front line.
“Sadio Mane is a very good signing. He can play in any of the four positions in attack and it looks like he will play on the right for Liverpool.
“They lacked pace and goals from those attacking midfield positions last year but his record suggests he will fix that.
“Roberto Firmino has been praised by Klopp as the player of pre-season and he likes him as a centre-forward, so there’s no number one striker at Liverpool.
“There’s three or four players going for one or two positions, which is a good thing for the team because nobody can rest on their laurels.
“The individuals would like to see themselves as first choice and relax a little bit, but this situation will keep them on their toes.”
Carragher added: “I like Wijnaldum but I’m not quite sure where his best position is or where he will fit in.
“It looks like he will play tucked in on the left if Liverpool play a three-man central midfield – but if they don’t play that way then I struggle to see where he will fit in.
“Ragnar Klavan has done really well since he has come in. With Kolo Toure leaving and the situation with Sakho, that is really important.
“Joel Matip has been injured, but Klavan has performed better that we saw from Matip in the pre-season games so I expect him to start alongside Dejan Lovren.
“James Milner has a good understanding of the game and great fitness levels, but of course Liverpool need to sign a left-back.
“They have sold Brad Smith to Bournemouth and you need two players for every position so they need someone else alongside Alberto Moreno.
“Milner did a good job against Barcelona but you certainly wouldn’t to go into the season without one more recognised left-back.”
Further, Daniel Sturridge’s injury and the arrival of new player’s in the squad has created a situation of competition amongst the players for the starting spot at the Anfield. The same situation has left the former Reds man unsure of who the German manager will use as his preferred options up front during the clash against Arsenal on Sunday.
