Centre-Backs:
First Choice: Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip, Mamadou Sakho
Back-Up: Ragnar Klavan, Joe Gomez, Andre Wisdom
With the arrival of Ragnar Klavan we’re actually looking pretty solid in this department, with our options pretty plentiful. Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez are currently nursing injuries, but hopefully both will be back soon to give Klopp a plethora of choices.
The regular pairing should be two out of Lovren, Matip, and Sakho, while Gomez and Klavan cover while needed. Wisdom doesn’t seem likely to get too much game time, but what the future has in store for him remains to be seen.
Conclusion: For once we’re looking very solid at the back, and hopefully we’ll see a far more watertight defence this season.
Defensive Midfield:
First Choice: Emre Can
Back-Up: Lucas Leiva
Emre Can is the undisputed first choice, and rightfully so. We’re not left with many other options in that department, so any injury to the German could result in a less orthodox midfield pairing or a younger player getting a call up.
Conclusion: Can is a fantastic player, but where would we be left if he were to suffer an injury?
Central Midfield:
First Choice: Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Marko Grujic
Back-Up: James Milner, Cameron Brannagan
Jordan Henderson is still the captain, so naturally many expecting him to keep his starting spot. With the talent we have available in midfield it’s far from guaranteed though, and Grujic has certainly been putting his name in the hat with his performances in pre-season.
Conclusion: We really have no idea who will be starting regularly in midfield alongside Can, and pre-season performances and early season games could go a long way towards deciding.