Liverpool is off to a great start to the season, having won six of their first seven games.
The Reds are second in the Premier League table after defeating West Ham United 3-1 at home on Sunday. That followed another 3-1 victory at LASK, ensuring Jurgen Klopp’s side got their Europa League campaign off to a flying start.
With summer additions Alexis MacAllister and, in especially, Dominik Szoboszlai fitting in quickly, and more to come from Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo, the Reds’ choice to freshen their roster in the summer is surely paying off.
But, with alternatives all over the pitch, particularly in midfield and attack, what is Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s best side?
Our contributors have spoken…
Mr. Paul Gorst: With a front five that is the envy of the Premier League, the major question right now is who makes up Liverpool’s strongest forward line.
Given his present form, Darwin Nunez must lead the line, while Luis Diaz complements Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo on the left side of the attack. Mohamed Salah, predictably, begins on the right. It will be interesting to watch how many goals the forwards collectively score this season. The Reds have already accumulated 18.
Thiago Alcantara is becoming somewhat of a forgotten figure at Anfield, having not played in nearly six months. His most recent start, by the way, was in February. When he’s at his best, there’s no better midfielder in the league, therefore if Liverpool were playing in the Champions League final (or should that be Europa League?) next week and everyone was fit, Thiago would be on my squad.
I’d play the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder in the base of the midfield, allowing the excellent Alexis MacAllister to play further forward with Dominik Szoboszlai, who has had a fantastic start to his Liverpool career. Thiago may not provide the most strong defensive protection, but Klopp does not have a world-class holding midfielder, and the 32-year-old is the most gifted on the ball.
Ibrahima Konate partners Virgil van Dijk at the back, and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are the full-backs.
My starting lineup is as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Thiago, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Sean Bradbury: Is this truly Liverpool’s “year one,” as Jurgen Klopp has highlighted this season?
It’s difficult to argue with the midfield. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister joined the team in the summer and are already vital cogs in the machine.
The Hungary star can outsprint almost anyone all day. That physical dominance, combined with his outstanding skill, is a very lethal weapon. And, while Mac Allister is still finding his feet and covering in a difficult, deeper position, his talent is clear.
They both make my strongest XI, and Curtis Jones is one of them. His level surged at the close of the previous term, and he has taken it into the current campaign with no fuss.
Long term, a greater defensive presence in the engine room is still required. Klopp and his recruiting team must check that box as quickly as possible. However, when it comes to defense and offense, it is evident that Liverpool already had a very strong foundation to build on.
It is relatively straightforward to choose the greatest backline. Trent-Alexander Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson are ahead of Alisson.
The lethal trio of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz is extremely difficult to overcome up front. With improvements behind the scenes and his Newcastle brace sparking a spark, the Uruguay international has really struck his groove. The beauty is that Liverpool now has a full second string capable of replacing the ‘first choice’ men nearly man-for-man.
In some ways, ‘Liverpool 2.0’ is in its first year. However, there are plenty of ‘1.0’ winners in this side who appear re-energized and ready to add to the medals they have already won at Anfield.
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Liverpool may be in the early stages of Jurgen Klopp’s’reloaded’ era, but the Reds manager is already spoilt for options in his starting XI.
When it comes to selecting the stronger team, there are issues to be solved all around the pitch.
Of course, it’s often a horses for courses attitude, and portions of the team may shift considerably depending on the opposition and even whether they’re playing at home or away, but what if Liverpool were playing in a cup final tomorrow? I have no doubt about who would be on my team.
Alisson, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, and Virgil van Dijk, are unquestionably starters. Joe Gomez has had a good start to the season, and Joel Matip reminded us of his quality against West Ham, but Ibrahima Konate is the future of that defense, and his all-round skill sees him grab the final slot if he is fit.
I’m sure of Alexis Mac Allister’s quality, if not his position, in midfield, but without a defensive specialist and with Wataru Endo still learning, I’d put him deep with Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones either side. Those three are tactically adaptable, and anyone who doubts Jones should ask his manager why he keeps picking him. His ability to maintain possession and initiate the push on the left side is telling.
We’d be having a different conversation if Thiago had been totally fit for any length of time, but he hasn’t, and Liverpool have adapted to a new lineup in his absence.
Up forward, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah have nailed down the wing spots, and any doubts about Darwin Nunez are fading by the week. Simply put, Liverpool appears to be a more dangerous team with him on the field. Both Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota can consider themselves extremely unlucky.
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.