Liverpool’s likely 25 man squad that will be registered for the upcoming Premier League season is emerging.
Jurgen Klopp and his team are allowed to choose 25 players over the age of 21, although eight of these must be home grown (we’ve indicated the homegrown players with an ‘HG’). Players under the age of 21 can play freely, although they can still be used as part of the 25 man squad so managers can make up home grown numbers.
By analysing who’s already signed, who’s already left; as well as expected signings and departures, here’s the 25 man squad we expect Liverpool to start this Premier League campaign with.
It includes nine home grown players, although there’s actually room for two new arrivals as Joe Gomez and Divock Origi are still young enough to be ‘free picks’.
If we’re wrong on our prediction, it won’t be by much.
Goalkeepers (3 registered):
Loris Karius (new signing), Simon Mignolet, Alex Manninger (expected new signing)
Who doesn’t need to be registered?
Shamal George
Who’s left and who’s leaving?
Danny Ward and Ryan Fulton have left on loan, while Lawrence Vigoroux has signed for Swindon permanently. Karius has already signed to provide competition for Mignolet, while Manninger is currently training with the club with a view to sign as the third choice keeper (via Sky Sports). Adam Bogdan is close to a Wigan switch (via IBTimes).
Defence (9 registered):
Nathaniel Clyne (HG), Jon Flanagan (HG), Joel Matip (new signing), Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan (expected new signing), Joe Gomez (HG), Alberto Moreno, Brad Smith
Who doesn’t need to be registered?
Ben Chilwell (expected new signing), Connor Randall, Lloyd Jones
Who’s left and who’s leaving?
Martin Skrtel’s been sold, while Jose Enrique and Kolo Toure have been released. Tiago Ilori is surely available with Klopp moving to sign Klavan, as is Andre Wisdom – who is now 23 and doesn’t have a ‘free’ spot in the squad. Ragnar Klavan is having a medical this week (via Mirror), while Chilwell remains the top left-back target (via Goal). We’ve gone cold on the deal at the moment due to Leicester’s asking price, but with one year left on the teenager’s contract, we’re convinced the transfer will eventually get done.
Midfield (9 registered):
Emre Can, Jordan Henderson (HG), James Milner (HG), Marko Grujic (new signing), Georginio Wijnaldum (expected new signing), Sadio Mane (new signing), Coutinho, Adam Lallana (HG), Kevin Stewart (HG)
Who doesn’t need to be registered?
Sheyi Ojo, Cameron Brannagan, Pedro Chirivella, Ryan Kent, Ovie Ejaria, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Who’s left and who’s leaving?
Jordon Ibe has been sold for £15m, while Lazar Markovic is reportedly a big target for Sporting Lisbon (via Record). Lucas could join Turkish side Galatasaray (via talkSPORT), while Liverpool will listen to offers for Luis Alberto too (via Daily Star) – with the same report confirming Joe Allen is a target for the Spaniards. Liverpool haven’t decided on the Welshman’s future yet, but with Grujic here and Wijnaldum likely arriving (via Telegraph), his chances of minutes sadly look slim. Allan will go out on loan again in search of a work permit (via Echo).
Forwards (4 registered):
Daniel Sturridge (HG), Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino, Danny Ings (HG)
Who doesn’t need to be registered?
Ben Woodburn, Toni Gomes
Who’s left and who’s leaving?
Mario Balotelli and Christian Benteke are up for sale, with the Independent claiming Klopp is encouraging them both to look for new clubs. With four forwards ahead of them in the pecking order, they will surely depart, as Klopp usually only deploys one up top anyway.