Football News: My current outlook on the Liverpool FC squad

Not so much on liverpool-rumours.co.uk, but I'm seeing a lot of people online panicking about how many players Liverpool have sold and how few we've brought in. So i thought i'd give a positive outlook on the squad going in to next season. The first pre-season friendly dropped a few hints about how some players may be used next season.

GK:
We literally have the best in the world. Alisson stands clear in his department. Kelleher is a competent back up and appears to be staying. Then we have the likes of Adrian and Jaros as deep cover. No fears here really. Hopefully by next summer Jaros can push on and be 3rd choice as Adrian is a bit of a waste of a non-HG slot.

RB:
I think there is a little bit of an exaggeration at how desperate we are in this position. Gomez can cover here and is actually better at RB than he is at CB. Bradley has shown last on loan season that he deserves a chance. Ramsay has only actually left on loan so we shouldn't block his path back into the squad. Then of course we have Trent who even if he moves into DM is still going to be capable of covering this position. If Trent moves into midfield full time I would think we'll often be playing the 3-2-2-3 which arguably doesn't even require a RB, but when we do play with a back 4 which I'm sure we will at times, Gomez and Bradley is enough as cover.

CB:
This is one of the main priorities. As above, Gomez is a better RB for me if he stays, but he can cover here still. Matip is injury prone and looks in decline, although he's still decent when fit and also a very popular dressing room figure. Virgil is 32 and needs a solid partner now unlike 4 years ago when he could've carried anybody; favourite for the armband if we're honest.

Konate is still a bit raw but most crucially he is yet to prove he can play 40 games a season for us without breaking down. Van Berg will go on loan again or be sold. Phillips looks destined to leave permanently. Williams has already left on loan. Hopefully Quansah can step up and challenge for a place in Cup or Europa game squads.

So really we need to sign a top CB now who can start games for us either side of a partnership, and not look out of place. I'm sure once we've fixed the midfield the priority will shift to CB though as when Phillips goes we'll be a man down in the department. Klopp likes to have 5 senior options here since the 2020/ 21 horror story, and who can blame him. Looks to be very up in the air who we will target right now.

LB:
We're absolutely fine here. We've seen in the first pre-season game how Klopp plans to keep Robbo and Tsimikas relevant going forward with the new shapes and tactics. Robbo can play the LB/ CB hybrid position and Tsimikas played a hybrid LB/ DM position in the friendly which could help him retain his place in the squad long term if he can develop well there. Of course both are also capable as orthodox LB's too which we'll undoubtedly utilise at times anyway. Chambers from the academy is a more long term option too but i expect he'll go on loan. So no need for anything here.

DM:
The other main priority I'd say. It's looking likely the 2 Saudi deals go through for Fabinho and Hendo. Morton might go on loan again and Thiago might leave permanently. That leaves Bajcetic who is young, and Trent who is new to the role. Mac Allister can cover here but ideally you want him further forward. All that in mind i think we need a DM player ready to start alongside Trent and compete with Bajcetic long term, and then maybe a versatile RB/ DM who can compete Trent in the hybrid role or play with him. Lavia and Llorente maybe.

AM: Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai and Elliott is a pretty good core. 4 players fully capable of goals and assists at the top level. People also shouldn't sleep on Bobby Clark who is extremely talented. Then we have Carvalho out on loan who may come back with a point to prove so possible long term security here too. Personally I think our attack minded midfield options are absolutely fine now and I wouldn't want us to waste funds that are needed on defensive options.

RW:
Similar to the GK situation we don't have to worry at all because in Salah we have the best RW in world football. He's also almost never injured and rarely needs rest. Elliott can cover here and you could argue it's his best position too. Doak is then there as cover for cup games. Szoboszlai can play here too if needed during the AFCON. I have no qualms about the RW slot in the team.

ST:
Well stocked. Nunez should kick on now we have midfielders who will play through balls when he makes the runs. Gakpo is like a Bobby regen and so good at holding up the ball to bring others into play. Jota can cover here and scores goals regardless of what people think of his overall play.

LW:
Diaz will not be leaving. You don't give a player the No.7 shirt if you plan on selling them a month later. He will almost definitely be our first choice LW next season. Then we have Jota, Gakpo, Nunez, Elliott, Szoboszlai, Jones and Doak as cover. Possibly the strongest position in the squad in terms of depth!

Assuming that Hendo, Fabinho, Phillips, Morton and Thiago do actually go our squad is still 24 players deep without signing anyone (see below) .

Gk: Alisson, Kelleher, Adrian, Jaros
RB: Gomez, Bradley
CB: Virgil, Konate, Matip, Quansah
LB: Robbo, Tsimikas
DM: Trent, Bajcetic
AM: Macca, Szoboszlai, Jones, Elliott, Clark
RW: Salah, Doak
ST: Gakpo, Nunez
LW: Diaz, Jota

So all in all, no need for panic as we will have a competitive team on the opening day. We currently have a very strong team anyway, albeit a bit reliant on a handful of young players for depth. If we want to challenge City and Arsenal, we do need to sign 1 CB and 2 DM's if the players expected to leave do indeed go.

However our season starts 3 weeks today and the window doesn't shut then either. So let's think positively. Plus, we have to give youth a chance to be cover options or they will never get an opportunity to show if they can be more than just an u21 player. I'm sure we'll get the players we need to give us a younger and more fine tuned squad. Almost like Schmadtke and Klopp have a plan!

My only personal concern is the vast amount of experience we're losing in a single summer but new leaders will have to step up. This cull was needed, I just thought it would be more gradual and over a longer time period! When i sit back and look at the bigger picture though, we do still have several international team captains in Virgil, Robbo, Szoboszlai and Salah. As well as Gakpo who was captain at PSV. Plus Alisson, Trent and Matip who are all big characters in the dressing room without needing an armband. I think we're in for an exciting season Eds and Reds!

Written by MK Scouser July 23 2023 11:40:59