The Premier League is just 14 days away and Liverpool have already spent close to €200 million in the transfer market and are expected to make at least one more signing. They reached the Champions League final last season and have strengthened their squad further with a few excellent signings.

After much wait, Liverpool have signed a world class goalkeeper with Brazilian star Alisson coming in from AS Roma.

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Naby Keita was signed last season for €48 million but has finally arrived this season from Leipzig. Fabinho from AS Monaco and Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke are the other major signings.

Formation: 4-3-3 (False 9)

Goal-Keeper (GK): Alisson Becker

Liverpool broke the transfer record for a goalkeeper when they bid 67 million for Alisson. The Brazilian starred for Roma as they reached the CL semi-final last season and also started ahead of Manchester City’s Ederson for Brazil at the World Cup.

He is considered to be one of the best keepers around with his excellent distribution skills and quick reflexes. He will definitely start ahead of Loris Karius who had a horrid end to the season with his mistakes costing the side the CL final.

With Alisson finally arriving, Liverpool have a reliable world-class goalkeeper like Chelsea and Manchester United.

Left-Back (LB): Andrew Robertson  

Robertson was signed for a meagre 8 million last season from Hull City and he has proved to be a bargain as he solved Liverpool’s Left-back woes. Alberto Moreno has been error-prone at back and James Milner was forced to take that position.

Robertson’s arrival allowed Milner to play in the mid-field and he was the top assist provider in CL last season. The Scottish full-back will definitely start ahead of the unreliable Moreno.

Centre-Back (CB): Virgin Van Dijk  

The tall Dutch defender was signed for a massive €75 million in January and has provided the much needed stability to a very vulnerable defence.

He has single-handedly improved Liverpool’s defence and is their leader at the back. He is an obvious starter over Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.

Centre-Back (CB): Dejan Lovren

Fans have had their reservations regarding Lovren but he proved them all wrong with solid performances in the World Cup as he helped Croatia reach the final.

He is expected to pair Van Dijk at the back after having a stellar last season. Joel Matip and Joe Gomez will challenge him for a spot but he is expected to start ahead of them, at least initially.

Right-Back (RB): Trent-Alexander Arnold

The 19-year old local star got a chance after Nathaniel Clyne’s season long injury last season and he has made this position his own. His tireless running up and down the pitch on the right flank has been praised by everyone.

Clyne is back from injury but Alexander-Arnold will probably start ahead of him. Expect Clyne to keep up the pressure on Arnold and have a healthy competition with him for the starting spot.

Central Defensive Midfielder (CDM): Fabinho  

The strong Brazilian has just arrived from Monaco for a whopping €40 million and is expected to start after Emre Can’s departure to Juventus this season.

He will be preferred over Gini Wijnaldum and James Milner, who are good squad players but don’t have the strength to become an effective defensive mid. Fabinho is quick, strong and has an eye for the goal.

Central Midfielder (CM): Jordan Henderson   

Fabinho’s arrival will help Henderson a lot as it will give him the freedom to move further up the pitch. He is expected to play the number six role and play just ahead of Fabinho in the central midfield position.

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If Nabil Fekir comes, he will probably replace Henderson but as of now, his place remains secure. Both Milner and Wijnaldum will push him for a starting berth.

Central Midfielder (CM): Naby Keita

Naby Keita has been given the number eight jersey after his arrival in Merseyside after much wait. He will play the attacking midfield role as he can run at the defenders will his excellent dribbling skills and low sense of gravity.

He is not shy of a tackle either as he is known for his aggressive two footed challenges. He has an eye for a pass and will provide the much needed spark to the midfield which has been lacking ever since Coutinho left for Barcelona in January.

Left-Wing (LW): Sadio Mane

The front three in the side are irreplaceable as they terrorised defenders around the world last season. Mane has been somewhat overshadowed by Salah’s heroics last season but he remains equally important for the team.

He has just been handed over the number 10 jersey, another indication of how crucial he is for the team. With a rejuvenated midfield, expect him to shine further this season.

False 9:  Roberto Firmino

The prolific Brazilian is as important as anyone else for the CL finalists. He tracks back, tackles, gives assists and scores goals. He scored 10 goals in the CL and 15 in the Premier League last season.

 

Daniel Sturridge will give him competition for his place but Firmino is an obvious starter. Expect him to be his usual self after a much needed break and provide the perfect foil for Mane and Salah with their terrifying pace.

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