Brendan Rodgers has made little secret that what he is trying to achieve at our club is a long-term project, with the ambition of bringing the trophy-laden good times back to Anfield.
READ MORE:
Liverpool Transfer News
Brendan Rodgers wants Rod Fanni at Liverpool
Why Liverpool should build their team around loyal contract quartet
Perhaps at no club currently in the Premier League is planning such a key aspect of what is trying to be achieved. Future key players – from both the current squad and other clubs – are already being lined up in the hope that Liverpool dominance is not something that we have to reminisce about.
With that in mind, here is the team that the fans voted for in a poll conducted by the Liverpool Echo, that we would like making the Kop rock in 2020.
GK- Simon Mignolet
The Belgian will be 32 five years from now, which is around the age that most keepers hit their prime. Mignolet already has 12 clean sheets under his belt this campaign, so if he can get better still, then there will be few keepers with more impressive careers behind them.
EOTK Opinion: Mignolet is perhaps the only option currently that you could suggest will still be between the sticks in five years time. Hopefully, Rodgers will add a better back-up option in the summer, making the debate slightly more difficult.
CB- Jon Flanagan
Flanagan has endured a torrid time with injury this season, but is now back in training, and hopefully will feature prominently from next year. He only has one England cap at the moment, but will surely add to that total in the near future.
EOTK Opinion: The full-back’s contract is up in the summer, but it appears to be a priority to tie him down for longer. If he can stay injury-free from now on, you would imagine that he will become a critical part of the defence.
CB- Mamadou Sakho
At 30 and assuming a central role, Sakho will probably be the leader of the back three, if not the leader of the side.
EOTK Opinion: After a slightly shaky start, he has proved on many occasions that he has composure, and is more than happy on the ball. If he continues to play like this until the end of the season, then Rodgers may seriously have to consider him as a potential captain.
CB- Alberto Moreno
The Spaniard has been an important part of our play down the left-hand side this season, but will have to take on a deeper, perhaps more disciplined role in the side. The back three are all excellent on the ball, which will ensure for some exciting moves that will emanate from the defence.
EOTK Opinion: Given his lack of playing time in the centre of defence, you would like to think that Rodgers will be able to find someone more suited to the role. It is perhaps a surprise that Emre Can for example, has not been selected as he has had a good season.
RM- Jordon Ibe
The 19-year-old has already proved during his brief career that he has the quality to dismantle defences. With five years of first-team exposure, he will hopefully be a frightening prospect – for both club and country – as he develops his entire game.
EOTK Opinion: Holding onto Jordon Ibe will arguably be critical to our future chances of success. He has grasped his opportunity in the first-team, so it would surely only be his desire to play for the club that would deny him being here in five years time, as you would like to think we would not make an effort to sell him.
CM- Jordan Henderson
Having signed a new contract this past week, Henderson was a no-brainer for inclusion in this side. Like Sakho, he is showing signs of leadership, despite not being the official captain. His performances when he’s been given the armband in Steven Gerrard’s absence this season, have shown that we will be in safe hands once the torch is passed permanently.
EOTK Opinion: His new deal should arguably make him the most likely member of this side to still be in red in 2020. Hopefully, with five years of leadership under his belt, he will have led the club to plenty of trophies along the way.
CM- Philippe Coutinho
Coutinho has been one of the few players that have elevated themselves and demonstrated star quality this campaign. Although he has scored some wonderful – and important – goals this season, hopefully within the next five years, he will have added more of a killer touch.
EOTK Opinion: The Brazilian is destined to be the talisman of the side for a long time. He has developed a lot in this season alone, so if we can match his ambitions as he gets better and his stock rises, then we could be looking at a future club legend.
LM- Lazar Markovic
Markovic has shown in his first season at Anfield that he is a clever player, but sometimes look bereft of confidence. If he is given an extended run in the side, we may see the best of him.
EOTK Opinion: After the tough year Markovic has had, it is difficult to imagine him still being here in a couple of seasons, let alone five. Rodgers does not appear to have confidence in the winger, and so it could be that for him to progress with us, it may be reliant on who is in the dugout.
ST- Raheem Sterling
His inclusion despite his ongoing contract saga highlights how crucial Sterling can be to the side. On his day, he is nearly unplayable. Against Newcastle, the defenders were scared to touch him because of how quickly he moved the ball.
EOTK Opinion: After his antics in recent weeks, it may be best to cut our ties with Sterling whilst the money from other clubs may on the table. Otherwise, we could be looking at a situation where player power has won out once again. It is difficult to imagine him still at Anfield beyond his current contract, as his actions have burnt a lot of bridges.
ST- Divock Origi
The youngster has had a tough season in France, but still has seven goals in Ligue 1. He burst onto the scene at the 2014 World Cup, and arguably looked the most exciting member of the Belgian squad – which given their strength, is no mean feat.
EOTK Opinion: It is tricky deciding whether Origi has a long-term future at the club. His poor season in France has meant that is fighting a battle already to prove himself once he arrives. It would be much easier to make an assumption after he’s had a season on Merseyside.
ST- Sheyi Ojo
At 17 and without a Liverpool appearance, Ojo perhaps has the biggest question mark over him. However, he has shown at Wigan some promising signs. His pace is already causing Championship defences problems, if he can pair that with goals, then we may have a very special player.
EOTK Opinion: To be involved in a relegation scrap in a league as competitive as the Championship will only stand Ojo in good stead for when he comes back. Hopefully, Rodgers gives him more and more first-team experience upon his return. Once he gets that, it will be easier to know whether he has a future.