Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is effectively tasked with building two starting XIs ahead of next season. While the duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Khephren Thuram could reasonably be expected to slot into the first-team, three other arrivals would boost a second-string XI for the Europa League. As the Reds prepare to end their lengthy absence from Europe’s second-tier club competition, Express Sport takes you through how they may line up…
Goalkeeper: Zieler
With Caoimhin Kelleher set to step out of Alisson’s shadow and leave Liverpool this summer, the Reds would be wise to bring in a fresh No 2. New sporting director Jorg Schmadtke is believed to be a fan of Ron-Robert Zieler, who could become one of his first signings in the job.
Zieler was once a full German international and he has made over 300 appearances across two spells with Hannover. With one year left on his contract, signing the 34-year-old would surely be a cost-effective way to kick-start a battle with Adrian over who starts in Europe.
Defence: Ramsay, Gomez, Van de Ven, Tsimikas
The fact that Micky van de Ven ‘dreams‘ of a move to Liverpool is now an open secret, and the 22-year-old Wolfsburg star could be snapped up to partner Joe Gomez in the Europa League, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk likely to remain the starting centre-back duo.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will be similarly difficult to displace at full-back, but next term’s European clashes will provide youngster Calvin Ramsey and long-serving bench-warmer Kostas Tsimikas with opportunities to shine.
Midfield: Henderson, Kone, Jones
With Mac Allister and Thuram flirting with moves to Anfield, Klopp could be spoilt for choice in midfield. They’re likely to be joined by Fabinho in the starting trio, leaving Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones to link up with potential newbie Manu Kone on Thursday nights.
The Borussia Monchengladbach youngster won’t come cheap at £40million, but his arrival would give the Reds’ squad serious depth as Thiago Alcantara could also come in when fit, while Stefan Bajcetic will also feature as he continues to mature.
Attack: Elliott, Nunez, Jota
After successive windows of steadily recruiting up top, Klopp already has plenty of options to field two completely separate front-threes. Mohamed Salah is the only nailed-on candidate for the first XI, but Cody Gakpo through the middle and Luis Diaz on the left are the most likely candidates to join him.
In the Europa League, that leaves Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota to flank Darwin Nunez, who may not have envisioned a spot in the back-up side after completing an £85m move from Benfica last year.
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