After faltering final season, Liverpool have come roaring again this time round to place themselves firmly in title rivalry alongside the likes of Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal, with Jurgen Klopp‘s males presently only a level off the highest with only one defeat in 12 Premier League outings to date.
Such type is a far cry from the limp showings that noticed the Merseysiders slip out of the highest 4 final time period, with a repeat state of affairs now wanting more and more unlikely, even with a aggressive chasing pack that features the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Manchester United.
Along with his facet presently in a powerful place in these coveted Champions League berths, Klopp actually will not be getting complacent, nonetheless, with recent reinforcements maybe wanted in January to assist preserve this spectacular momentum.
With that in thoughts – and with switch rumours already starting to swirl with the winter window looming – this is a take a look at how the Anfield outfit may line up come February, if a handful of key signings are to be made…
1
GK – Alisson
It will take one thing frankly outstanding for Alisson to not nonetheless be the undisputed first-choice beneath Klopp in 2024, with the Brazilian colossus having deservedly cemented his place because the go-to man within the sticks ever since his arrival from Roma again in 2018.
Lauded because the “best in the world” by teammate Andy Robertson, the 31-year-old has conceded simply ten targets within the league to date this season, serving to his facet to file the joint-best defensive record within the division – alongside the Gunners.
2
RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one other who has been a daily fixture within the facet throughout a golden interval beneath Klopp for Liverpool, having now chalked up 16 goals and a staggering 75 assists in 287 appearances for the membership at senior stage.
The academy graduate has but once more been an attacking outlet type his full-back berth this season with three assists in 14 games in all competitions, having additionally relished the chance to tackle an inverted position at occasions in the course of the park.
Whereas an ready deputy may properly be wanted – with ordinary centre-back Joe Gomez the one different senior choice at right-back – any January addition is extremely unlikely to dislodge the Englishman from his beginning berth.
3
CB – Goncalo Inacio
The primary new face on this hypothetical XI is Sporting CP and Portugal’s Goncalo Inacio, with each the Reds – and rivals Manchester United – said to be scouting the promising centre-back forward of a potential future swoop.
With Ibrahima Konate frequently hampered by injury and with Joel Matip presently within the final year of his contract, a brand new addition in that division might be important, even regardless of the membership’s spectacular defensive file of late.
Within the 22-year-old Inacio, Klopp may discover a long-term resolution on the coronary heart of the backline, with the in-demand ace notably adept at enjoying out from the again, as he ranks in at least the top 2% for tried passes, progressive passes and progressives carries per 90 amongst these in his place in leagues similar to the Primeira Liga.
4
CB – Virgil van Dijk
The newly-appointed captain following the departure of Jordan Henderson over the summer time, Virgil van Dijk stays a really influential and imperious presence at centre-back.
Described by Ben Foster because the “best defender that has ever lived” when in his pomp, the towering Dutchman might have misplaced a “yard off tempo” since his ACL harm again in 2020 – as per Foster – but he’s nonetheless integral in serving to to marshal a watertight defence.
5
LB – Andy Robertson
Whereas presently sidelined with a shoulder injury, the expectation is that Robertson will be capable to make an eagerly-awaited return within the new 12 months, with Klopp presently having to depend on Kostas Tsimikas or Gomez to fill the void at left-back.
Like his colleague on the alternative facet – Alexander-Arnold – the Scotland skipper can be a daily attacking outlet down the flanks, having notably averaged 2.6 key passes per game this season within the Premier League, greater than any of his teammates.
6
CDM – Joao Palhinha
Having seen Fabinho depart for the riches of Saudi Arabia over the summer time, the Reds are nonetheless searching for a top quality resolution on the base of the midfield, with 30-year-old summer time signing, Wataru Endo, but to actually persuade after starting just two league games this time period.
As such, with current studies linking the membership with a transfer for Fulham’s Joao Palhinha – who’s valued at £70m – Klopp may properly discover that lacking piece of the puzzle, with the Portuguese menace an undoubted “monster” within the centre of the park – as hailed by broadcaster Adrian Clarke.
Rumours are rife regarding Fluminense’s Andre, however Palhinha has already proven his class in English soccer, notably rating on the high of the charts for the most tackles made in the division in 2023/24.
That addition may properly spell unhealthy information for Alexis Mac Allister, with the World Cup winner – who has lined up in that deeper role this season – seemingly not a pure match as a midfield destroyer, along with his common of 3.8 tackles and interceptions per recreation within the league this time period merely dwarfed by Palhinha (6.9).
7
CM – Dominik Szoboszlai
Because the Hungarian has himself admitted, there’s already discuss that the previous RB Leipzig man is the “new Steven Gerrard” following a blistering begin to life at Anfield, the 23-year-old having scored twice and recorded two assists to date this season.
With the likes of Henderson, James Milner and Naby Keita having moved on to pastures new in the newest window, the £60m man has supplied a pleasant, youthful exuberance within the centre of the park and appears like a determine to construct the facet round for years to come back.
8
CM – Ryan Gravenberch
With so many choices in central midfield – together with the likes of Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott – it’s a difficult ask attempting to decide on a determine to spherical off this trio, but Ryan Gravenberch may properly get the nod.
The one-time Ajax man has needed to bide his time for a daily position within the facet, but has begun to flourish in a Liverpool jersey, having even been likened to a certain Patrick Vieira by membership legend, Jamie Carragher.
With the sturdy presence of Palhinha behind him, the Dutchman would be capable to bomb ahead at will – with such attacking high quality having been seen by his two goals in three Europa League games this season.
9
RW – Mohamed Salah
Whereas the query stays as as to whether Saudi interest will likely be renewed in Mohamed Salah in January, it might be an actual shock if the Egyptian was allowed to depart halfway via the marketing campaign, notably amid Liverpool’s robust league place.
Within the occasion that the previous Roma man does keep put, Klopp will be capable to proceed to depend on his major supply of targets and creativity, with the 31-year-old already posting ten goals and four assists in 12 league outings so far.
10
ST – Darwin Nunez
There isn’t any query that Liverpool nonetheless want extra from Darwin Nunez – as he has already missed ten big chances within the top-flight this time period – but the Uruguayan does look like making spectacular strides in his second season at Anfield, with seven goals and six assists in all competitions.
The previous Benfica man does have competitors from the likes of Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, though he’s the extra pure centre-forward of the trio, with Klopp more likely to proceed to position religion in his club-record capture.
11
LW – Leroy Sane
It will undoubtedly be bold to deliver Leroy Sane again to England, though the one-time Manchester Metropolis man has been mooted to make the transfer to Merseyside in current weeks, with the Bayern Munich speedster having caught fireplace once more in Germany.
Underneath the watchful eye of Thomas Tuchel, the 27-year-old – who can function on both wing – has already posted eight goals and seven assists throughout all fronts in 2023/24, though his long-term future with the Bundesliga giants stays doubtful, with simply over 18 months left on his current deal.
After all, Liverpool do have already got Luis Diaz to fit in on the left, but the Colombian worldwide has recorded simply four goals and one assist in 14 video games this time period – albeit whereas enduring a horrific off-field ordeal of late.
As such, bringing in a former Premier League winner like Sane – who contributed to 25 league goals within the 2017/18 marketing campaign on the Etihad – may present that further sprinkling of star high quality.
Liverpool’s dream beginning XI after January, in full – GK – Alisson; RB – Alexander-Arnold, CB – Inacio, CB – Van Dijk, LB – Robertson; CDM – Palhinha, CM – Szoboszlai, CM – Gravenberch; RW – Mo Salah, ST – Darwin Nunez, LW – Leroy Sane.
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