Football
Premier League team performance: Liverpool want the title, can they dethrone the Citizens?
Liverpool surprisingly only drew at newcomer Fulham at the start of the new season, yet they are one of the main favourites to win the title. What to expect from the Reds squad and what will be the composition going into the new season?
Liverpool surprisingly only drew at newcomer Fulham at the start of the new season, yet they are one of the main favourites to win the title. What to expect from the Reds squad and what is the composition of the squad going into the new season?
The management team
The Liverpool coach probably needs no introduction. Jürgen Klopp ranks among the very best, the fans fell in love with him as soon as he arrived and even the players have great respect for him. It is not for nothing that he is said to treat his charges like his sons.
Goalkeeper
Between the three sticks, it’s clear. Alisson is one of the best goalkeepers of the moment, he can hold the team at the important moment, he helps Virgil van Dijk to control the defensive line. In him, Liverpool have found the reliable number one they have been looking for for a long time.
He will be backed up by Spain’s Adrian, who was made a bit famous by the failed Champions League double with Atletico Madrid. But otherwise, he is a quality number two.
Defenders
Liverpool are graced by, among other things, arguably the world’s finest defensive line. Trent Alexander Arnold is considered by many to be the best right back of the moment, Andrew Robertson for a change one of the best left backs in the world.
A mountain of muscle operates in the centre of defence and the second best player in the world in 2019 (according to the Ballon d’Or poll) in van Dijk and his potential successor Ibrahim Konaté. The young Frenchman arrived from Leipzig last year and is building an increasingly solid position.
Klopp also has a quality bench, namely young Joe Gomez at stopper with the experienced Joel Matip, Greek Kostas Tsimikas on the left and summer signing Calvin Ramsay on the right.
Midfielders
The midfield is Liverpool’s weakness, yet we can find top level players in it. Brazilian defensive midfielder Fabinho is in the prime of his career, while England international Jordan Henderson is the captain and leader of the team.
Thiago Alcantara, the brains of the team with his graceful movement and accurate passes, is in charge of the most offensive tasks. However, it cannot be said that this is a classic top ten, so in games against weaker opponents, the option of choosing a more offensive midfield is offered.
Fabio Carvalho, Roberto Firmino or youngster Harvey Elliott will also play under the hood, while Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain or versatile soldier James Milner alternate in Henderson’s position.
Strikers
Sadio Mané has parted ways with the club after a successful few years, so most of the responsibility will go to Mohamed Salah after the departure of his African partner. The Egyptian footballer still has plenty to offer.
Luis Diaz aspires to the left side of the offensive line. The Colombian representative excels in speed and dribbling. There are several names on the top of the attack, but the summer signing from Benfica Lisbon, Darwin Nunez, should be the number one.
Both Jota and Firmino can be alternatives at the top of the attack, while Elliott, Carvalho and the versatile Jota again are particularly suitable for the wing positions. Oxlade Chamberlain can also strike here, or one of the edge defenders.
Ideal line-up:
Alisson
Alexander-Arnold – van Dijk – Konaté – Robertson
Fabinho – Henderson – Thiago
Salah – Nunez – Diaz
Ranking tip:: 2nd place
Source: Premier League