Many Anfield Index followers that read my football ramblings will know that I am the eternal optimist, especially when it comes to the success of my beloved Liverpool Football Club. Despite most of last season descending into an abyss of despair, I still try to look at what became in that final run of games. I believe harsh lessons have been taken onboard by our glorious German manager, who would have been wounded and embarrassed by some of the horrid displays in that 5th placed campaign.
The Reds seemed rejuvenated by the change in system and structure, as Trent Alexander Arnold was unleashed into a new and exciting hybrid role. What transpired was the start of our transitional period, one which must be aided through the summer by new bodies and renewed physicality. I trust in the appointment of our new Sporting Director; in that, we have a man tasked with negotiating multiple deals over this crucial summer of change.
With Julian Ward being replaced by Jörg Schmadtke, it does seem like a busy period of recruitment is on the horizon, especially given that James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keïta, have now all now left the club. As we wave away four senior players, we will absolutely be looking to replace their places in the squad with battle-ready signings. In addition to those players leaving at the end of their contracts, it has also been confirmed that Fábio Carvalho will be joining RB Leipzig on a season-long loan, therefore creating a group of players as listed below.
I have left a note to where bodies are needed most, whilst basing the system requirements on both a 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 formation and showing some names in multiple positions.
Goalkeepers
Alisson Becker
Caoimhin Kelleher
Adrian
Centre Backs (back three)
Virgil van Dijk
Ibrahima Konaté
Joe Gomez
Joël Matip
Right Sided Centre Backs (back three)
Ibrahima Konaté
Joe Gomez
Joël Matip
Left Sided Centre Backs (back three)
New starting-level player required
Joe Gomez
Andy Robertson
Right Backs
Trent Alexander Arnold
Joe Gomez
New backup player required
Left Backs
Andy Robertson
Kostas Tsimikas
Holding Midfielder
New starting-level player required
Fabinho
Stefan Bajčetić
Jordan Henderson
Hybrid
Trent Alexander Arnold
Stefan Bajčetić
Right Attacking Midfield
Khéphren Thuram
Cody Gakpo
Thiago Alcântara
Curtis Jones
Jordan Henderson
Dominik Szoboszlai
Left Attacking Midfield
Alexis Mac Allister
Thiago Alcântara
Curtis Jones
Harvey Elliott
Left Winger / Forward
Luis Diaz
Cody Gakpo
Diogo Jota
Darwin Núñez
Right Winger / Forward
Mohamed Salah
Harvey Elliott / Dominik Szoboszlai
That list of players creates a squad of 23 players. I have added and highlighted the two players I would like to see signed (in addition to our brand-new Argentine and Hungarian), which would take us to 25 players. With the likes of Ben Doak also in the first team picture, I think that that group would then be enough to mount a serious challenge to the Premier League crown. With the addition of Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool would need to add another homegrown to the squad or lose a non-homegrown player which is possible via sales.
Alisson Becker
Caoimhin Kelleher
Adrian
Virgil van Dijk
Ibrahima Konaté
Joe Gomez
Joël Matip
Andy Robertson
Kostas Tsimikas
Gonçalo Inácio
Trent Alexander Arnold
Fabinho
Roméo Lavia
Stefan Bajčetić
Jordan Henderson
Alexis Mac Allister
Dominik Szoboszlai
Thiago Alcântara / sell?
Curtis Jones
Harvey Elliott
Khéphren Thuram
Luis Diaz
Cody Gakpo
Diogo Jota
Darwin Núñez
Mohamed Salah
This kind of undertaking is not a great deal to wish for, with a lot of groundwork already being done to make sure we cover the weakened areas. In the weeks and months to come, clarity will prevail, though not before a series of meltdowns by the fanbase. What I am sure of, is that this squad would be more than capable of sustaining a Premier League challenge, with the Europa League group stages allowing heavy rotation to the starting lineups.
I recently wrote about how heavy rotation (in the early stages of the 2022/23 campaign) was carried out by Mikel Arteta, with many key starters saved for their domestic matches. The Gunners’ well-rounded squad only struggled for form later, when the pressure mounted and the latter European ties became that bit trickier. For this Liverpool squad, it is still a group littered with talent that knows how to manage a heavy schedule and prevail. The injection of new energy, enthusiasm, and quality, will give the extra impetus to succeed.
Though I may tend to look too favourably on our boys at times, I do sense we could outplay and outwork everyone we face in the opening clutch of games and catch the league cold. Whether or not I am being overconfident or deluded, only time will tell, though it will be a fascinating watch to see how the Liverpool team bounces back.
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