Adam Lallana has enjoyed mixed success since his big money move from Southampton, and may not necessarily have always been in every Liverpool fan’s starting XI. His fantastic pre-season form will have many rethinking things however, and the Englishman probably deserves a spot come the start of the 2015/16 campaign.
Including the former Southampton man alongside our two star Brazilians, here’s a formation and side which Rodgers could use to deploy them all.
It would mean not selecting an anchorman – but at home – providing we have the dynamism of Henderson and Milner centrally, it could work.
GK) Simon Mignolet
Despite the arrival of Adam Bogdan, Mignolet is almost certainly going to start the campaign as our undisputed No.1. It’s great that he now has some competition for a starting spot, but he showed in the tail end of last season that he is one of the Premier League’s top keepers when confident.
RB) Nathaniel Clyne
Guaranteed to start at right-back barring injury, Clyne’s proved during pre-season that he’ll be a defensive and offensive asset for us this term.
LB) Joe Gomez
When we signed the youngster from Charlton Athletic, he seemed more like one for the future. He has been one of the surprises of pre-season though, even when played in his unfavoured left-back position. The 18-year-old looks more than capable of being thrown straight in at the deep end, and seems ready for the Premier League despite his tender age. At the moment, he’s starting ahead of Alberto Moreno, for us.
CB) Mamadou Sakho
Sakho is a bit of an enigma at times, with fantastic performances blighted by moments of madness. He has still shown himself to be a top centre-back though, and deserves his place in our best XI. ahead of Dejan Lovren. If he stays fit, he’s arguably our best defender.
CB) Martin Skrtel
Unquestionably our most reliable centre-back, Skrtel has become a hugely important part of our defensive stability. We are a better team with him in the side, and his continued fitness is likely to prove key to our season.
CM) Jordan Henderson
Our new captain will have to step up in the wake of Steven Gerrard’s departure, and looks more than capable of doing so. He has shown hugely increased maturity, leadership, and talent recently, and will surely be the hub of our midfield this season. He may to have to slightly neglect his roaming tendencies in this formation, but with Coutinho charged with central midfield creative duties, we needn’t be worried.
CM) James Milner
The former Man City man looks like an excellent signing so far, and has settled into a more central position than he’s used to. He or Henderson will have to play a more disciplined role in order to accommodate Philippe Coutinho and his tendency to roam in this side, but both men are able to do so.
CM) Philippe Coutinho
Our player of the season in 2014/15, the Brazilian provides the creative spark of our team. Even in this deeper role, Coutinho can be effective – as his pressing and hounding of the opposition combined with his ability to run at defences is actually maximised from this position. From here, Coutinho can feed Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana and set the tone for our attacks.
RAM) Roberto Firmino
Another Brazilian and our marquee signing, Firmino could prove to be a massive acquisition. He set the Bundesliga alight last season, and looks perfectly suited for the fast paced Premier League. Usually used centrally, Firmino could take a roaming role just to the right of centre in a marauding and fluid front three.
LAM) Adam Lallana
Lallana has been one of the stand-out performers of pre-season, and he has more than earned a place in our starting XI – notching two goals during the tour to date. He is creative and a goal threat in equal measure, and will hopefully justify his hefty price tag when the campaign begins.
ST) Christian Benteke
The Belgian forward is set to undergo a medical with us imminently (via Express), and will add some much needed firepower up front. He has shown he can score with regularity at a side like Aston Villa, so just imagine what he could do with the creativity of our stars behind him.
Here’s how this XI could look.