Squad Depth Analysis: Here Are 2 Completely Different Squads That Jurgen Klopp Can Line-Up For Liverpool This Season

Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool did have a pretty decent transfer window in the summer. Though many have stated that the Reds could have done with a left-back, the Merseyside club have a lot of quality in the side now.

Loris Karius, Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Joel Matip were some of the big names joining the Premier League side in the summer. The new signings have added a lot of depth into the squad and that means, the manager could easily field two different playing XIs.

Liverpool might not be in European competition but having two quality players in a side fighting for a starting XI berth does not hurt. Jurgen Klopp needs to take Liverpool back into the top four and hopefully with these two sides at his disposal, he should be taking the Reds to the Champions League in 2017-18.

First XI

If we are to look at Liverpool’s first XI, Loris Karius has to be the goalkeeper of choice, even though he has picked up an injury in preseason. The young German is better than Simon Mignolet and should have started the season as Liverpool’s first choice keeper.

When it comes to the back four, the strongest team that the Reds can dream of contains three old boys. Nathaniel Clyne would be the right-back, as he is the most consistent defender. For the left side, the manager might drop Alberto Moreno to bring in the experienced veteran midfielder cum defender, James Milner. The heart of the defence would feature Dejan Lovren and one of the new signings, Joel Matip.

The midfield duo has to be a dynamic pair that can support the attack and defence. Emre Can is a shoe in for the spot and it is a surprise he hasn’t been a regular for the side this season. The German should be paired with Jordan Henderson, even though the Liverpool captain has had an average start to the season.

The front four would feature three attackers and one striker. The man leading the strike force would be Daniel Sturridge with Roberto Firmino playing just behind him. On the right would be Sadio Mane who has been excellent for the Reds so far. The player on the left would be another Brazilian, Philippe Coutinho.

This should be the strongest XI for the Reds and they should field out a formation of 4-2-3-1

Second XI

The second XI should feature Simon Mignolet. The Belgian goalkeeper is Liverpool’s number one at the moment but still does not look all that confident between the sticks. The left-back for the side would be Alberto Moreno. The young defender has completely lost his place, thanks to a series of inconsistent performances, but he isn’t that bad, to say the least.

The right-back would be the young gun, Connor Randall. The Englishman has impressed the manager with his performance during the pre-season, hence, he surely is a great option. The centre-backs would feature Ragnar Klavan and Mamadou Sakho. The French defender Sakho would be relegated to the second side, simply because of his off the pitch antiques.

The midfield would feature the defensive stalwart Lucas Leiva and he would be paired with a new signing, Marko Grujic. This pair would ensure Liverpool have sound quality both in attack and defence from the midfield.

The two wide men would be Georginio Wijnaldum on the left while Adam Lallana would be playing out on the right. Both players prefer a more central role but are adept enough to play as wingers.

Liverpool do have a lot of quality in attack and their front two would feature youngsters looking to make a name for themselves. Danny Ings should be given a chance after missing out on a lot of game time last season and he would be partnered with Divock Origi. The Belgian star seems to be getting better with each game and should be a threat to Daniel Sturridge’s place soon.

The Reds do seem to have a lot of punch in their side and it should be a fun ride for them in this campaign as they look to the Holy Grail that is the UEFA Champions League.