Liverpool's Possible Starting Lineup for Opening Day of 2014/15 Season

Anfield has been a busy place already this summer with three new signings already confirmed and more expected to follow.

Emre Can, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana have all joined Brendan Rodgers' ever-improving squad while star striker Luis Suarez is expected to depart Merseyside for Barcelona in the not-too-distant future, as reported by Ben Smith of BBC.

Rodgers does not, however, appear to have let the departure of Liverpool's most prized asset affect his own plans to strengthen a squad that last season narrowly missed out on becoming champions.

James Orr of The Independent reports that Benfica star Lazar Markovic will arrive at Anfield for a fee of around £20 million, while David Anderson of the Mirror claims the Reds are close to landing Lille and Belgium striker Divock Origi.

As expected, Liverpool have been linked with a host of players on what seems like an hourly basis. This article will look at the Reds' possible starting lineup come the opening day of the season against Southampton.

It will take into account positions that need strengthening and current members of the squad who may well depart over the next six weeks.

The formation selected is 4-2-3-1.

Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet

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Simon Migolet's position as Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper is one that many would not have thought would be under the spotlight, following a faultless opening few months in the Reds goal.

Mignolet was impeccable from his match-winning penalty save against Stoke City up until a troublesome festive period in which he was arguably at fault for goals conceded at both Manchester City and Chelsea.

Pepe Reina's return from a season-long loan spell at Napoli has only increased the pressure on the Belgian who knows he will have to be at the top of his game if he is to keep his place ahead of a man who was the Reds' undoubted No. 1 for eight years.

Despite a few mistakes and, on certain occasions, miscommunication with the Reds' back four, Mignolet did enough during his debut season at Anfield to keep his place come the start of the 2014/15 season.

However, with serious competition for places this time around, any inconsistency will without doubt be seized upon by the experienced Reina.

Right-Back: Glen Johnson

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Glen Johnson's form towards the back end of the 2013/14 season was questionable to say the least. An inconsistent period for the England man was summed by a horror performance as the Reds threw away a three-goal lead at Crystal Palace.

The skillful defender has often been accused of taking his place for granted due to the lack of any serious competition for the right-back berth at both domestic and international levels and was forced to defend himself via Twitter, following Liverpool's aforementioned three-goal collapse.

A shaky World Cup in Brazil for both Johnson and England did nothing to deter the critics who believe a defender's first call of duty is to defend, despite Johnson's obvious ability in the opposition half.

Andy Hunter of The Guardian has previously linked the Reds with a move for Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya as competition for Johnson, but the Spaniard would go on to ink a new deal with the Catalan giants in March.

Micah Richards is a name that has been mentioned by Gary Jones of the Daily Star as a possible summer addition to Rodgers' squad, but the fact that Richards has been overlooked by many an England manager for Johnson's right-back berth means this one is something of a head-scratcher.

Despite the former Portsmouth man's contract having only one more season to run, both Rodgers and Liverpool seem at ease over the situation, meaning it is more than likely Johnson will begin his sixth season as the Reds' first-choice right-back.

Centre-Back: Martin Skrtel

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Martin Skrtel was arguably the Reds' most consistent defender during the 2013/14 season, a season during which Liverpool were heavily criticised for their ability to defend.

The Slovakian centre-back chipped in with seven goals (via ESPN) as the Reds narrowly missed out on their first league title in 24 years.

Despite starting the season as second choice to Kolo Toure and Daniel Agger, an injury to Toure saw Skrtel recalled to the side, and he would start every game from then until the season's end.

There were a few shaky moments, however, along the way as the former Zenit man would break the record for most own goals scored (four) in a single Premier League season.

Skrtel, however, did more than enough to earn the right to start the new season as one of the Reds' first-choice centre-backs, deciding who partners him, however, is slightly trickier.

Centre-Back: Dejan Lovren

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Southampton's Dejan Lovren has made no secret of his desire to follow former teammates Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana from the South Coast to Merseyside after the Reds had a reported £20 million bid for the defender rejected, according to Ben Smith of BBC.

The Croatia international, who followed up an impressive debut season in England with a solid World Cup, appears to have become Brendan Rodgers' No. 1 target to steady the Reds' much-maligned back four.

It appears, however, that—as was the case with Lallana—the Saints are playing hardball and holding out for a fee nearer £25 million for a man signed for £8.5 million just one year ago.

Despite Southampton's reluctance to sell another of their prized assets, Lovren has recently admitted that his "head is already at Liverpool," making a deal between the two parties appear likely, according to Joe Rimmer of Liverpool Echo.

Charles Perrin of the Express claims that Liverpool have already contacted Barcelona over a deal for current Reds defender Daniel Agger, whom Rodgers appears willing to part with in order to push through a move for Lovren.

Left-Back: Jon Flanagan

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Predominantly a right-back by trade, the performance of Jon Flanagan at left-back during the second half of last season were nothing short of sensational.

Filling in for the injured Jose Enrique, Flanagan's form for his fine form was to be named on standby for a place in Roy Hodgson's England World Cup squad.

It is no secret that Brendan Rodgers is in the market for a new left-back.

But with Nick Lustig of the Daily Star claiming the Reds have been priced out of a move for Sevilla's Alberto Moreno and former target Guilherme Siqueira joining Atletico Madrid, Flanagan may once again find the left-back berth his own.

Quick, agile and strong in the tackle, the young scouser won the hearts of the Anfield faithful with his passion, attitude and no-nonsense endeavour every time he crossed the white line last season.

There is nothing more Liverpool fans love than seeing one of "their own" make it in the first team. Flanagan is arguably the first player since Steven Gerrard in 1998 to come right through the ranks and become a first-team regular.

Aly Cissokho has returned to parent club Valencia following a less-than-impressive loan spell at Anfield, so as things stand, it appears that the fight for the left-back spot is between Flanagan and Jose Enrique, the man he originally replaced.

The experience gained by Flanagan during the Reds' title chase, as well as spending time with the England squad, will prove invaluable next season. Coupled with the form shown during the last six months, it is this writer's opinion that Flanagan is the man to dislodge going into the new campaign.

Centre-Midfield: Steven Gerrard

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The captain picks himself. It was a bold decision to switch Gerrard from his usual advanced role into a more withdrawn position at the turn of the year.

Despite struggling when initially deployed in a deeper role, Gerrard soon found his form and went on to enjoy one of the most productive seasons of a distinguished Reds career.

The talismanic captain finished the season with 13 goals and 13 assists to his name (via ESPN) and was named in the PFA Team of the Year by his fellow professionals.

While those outside of Anfield will be wondering whether the slip that allowed Demba Ba and Chelsea to derail the Reds' title challenge will affect Gerrard's frame of mind going into next season, those who have watched him grow into the most complete player the club has ever had know better.

They know that with Champions League football set to return to Anfield next season that Gerrard will be as pivotal to Rodgers' side as he was to Rafa Benitez's European heroes almost a decade ago.

Centre-Midfield: Jordan Henderson

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During the 2013/14 season, Jordan Henderson proved that he has what it takes to succeed at a club the size of Liverpool.

Mocked during his first two seasons with the club, Henderson was fantastic as the Reds finished as runners-up to eventual champion Manchester City.

The former Sunderland man provided the legs for teammate Steven Gerrard and was rewarded with a place in England's starting 11 at this summer's World Cup.

It was a huge journey for Henderson. Played out of position during his first two seasons at Anfield saw the midfielder become something of a laughingstock: The player everyone would criticise if things weren't going to plan.

Rodgers, however, stuck by him and gave him his chance in his preferred central role, and, boy, did he flourish. 

It didn't really become apparent just how big a player Henderson was for Liverpool until he was suspended for the season-defining fixture against Chelsea at Anfield. The Reds had won 11 games on the bounce before defeat at home to Jose Mourinho's side, and Henderson had played every minute.

Henderson deserves to start the 2014/15 season in the side, and his partnership with Gerrard deserves to continue, which was one of the major pluses from a memorable Anfield season last time out.

Right-Wing: Lazar Markovic

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Brendan Rodgers appears resigned to losing star striker Luis Suarez but has wasted no time in reinvesting the funds expected from the Uruguayan's proposed move to Barcelona.

Chris Waugh of the Daily Mail reports that the Reds have met the £20 million release clause in the contract of Benfica winger Lazar Markovic, and a deal is expected to be completed in the coming days.

The Serbian wide man was one of the stars of Benfica's double-winning season and has been linked with a move to a host of European clubs.

It appears, however, that Rodgers will get his man and will join the the Reds with a hefty price tag around his neck.

Markovic will add pace, craft and guile to the Liverpool ranks as well as the ability to beat a man. The tricky youngster will also provide versatility to the Reds squad as he is capable of playing from either wing.

Left-Wing: Adam Lallana

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Liverpool's long, drawn-out pursuit of England international Adam Lallana finally came to an end when they secured the signing of their No. 1 target for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million (via BBC).

The former Southampton captain enjoyed a fine 2013/14 season and was rewarded with a place in Roy Hodgson's England World Cup squad.

Brendan Rodgers made no secret of his desire to secure the signature of the versatile Lallana and made an initial move before England jetted off to Brazil.

A 25 per cent sell on fee owed to Lallana's previous club Bournemouth led to the Southampton hierarchy playing hardball during negotiations.

A deal was, however, struck once the Three Lions were sent packing from South America and a deal that suited all parties was completed.

Lallana, at 26 years old, will most definitely go straight into Rodgers' side for the opening-day fixture against—ironically—the winger's former side: Southampton.

Lallana and Markovic should, in an ideal world, complement each other perfectly. Both are comfortable on either wing, and both possess the kind of deft touch and movement that Rodgers demands from his players.

The inclusion of Lallana and Markovic mean that Philippe Coutinho is unlucky to miss out on a starting spot after a solid 2013/14 season.

Attacking-Midfield: Raheem Sterling

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Arguably the biggest positive from Liverpool's 2013/14 campaign.

Raheem Sterling began the season as both a winger and a squad player but finished it as the most in-form player in the country, and a player who, for Brendan Rodgers, was impossible to leave out.

From December onwards, the youngster was simply sensational and, like many of his teammates, found himself on the plane to Brazil as part of Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad.

As the season progressed, so did Sterling. The former QPR youngster was transformed by Rodgers into an attacking central midfielder who looked like he had played there all of his career.

At times, he was unstoppable and became a real goal threat as the Reds broke numerous records on their way to finishing as runners-up behind Manchester City.

Like Lallana and Markovic, Sterling is versatile and could interchange with either of the aforementioned wingers if required to do so.

Simon Mullock of the Mirror reports how Sterling's fine form towards the end of last season has caught the eye of the Bernabeu hierarchy, and Real Madrid are planning what would be a sensational swoop for the England international.

Rodgers, however, would scoff at the thought of losing two of the Reds' most influential players in the same transfer window, and with the expected sale of Suarez for a hefty fee, he would be under no pressure to sell another of his star men.

Sterling should get only better during the 2014/15 season and is surrounded by players who should complement him perfectly.

It is this writer's opinion that Sterling will be named Liverpool's Player of the Year for the 2014/15 season.

Forward: Daniel Sturridge

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Since a £12 million move from Chelsea in January 2013, Daniel Sturridge has been nothing short of sensational.

Expected to play second fiddle to Luis Suarez, Sturridge's partnership with the Uruguayan was at times formidable during the 2013/14 season.

Sturridge himself managed 21 league goals (via ESPN), finishing behind only teammate Suarez in the Barclays Premier League top scorer charts.

Sturridge was arguably one of few shining lights for England during their dismal World Cup display in the summer, scoring his maiden World Cup goal during his country's 2-1 defeat to Italy.

The former Chelsea man has proved before, during Suarez's last suspension, that he is capable of leading the line when required and has proved repeatedly that he, like Suarez, is a match-winner.

There is no doubt that Sturridge will start the season as the Reds' first-choice striker, and his performances since joining the club have earned the England man the right to do so. 36 goals in 49 games speaks for itself (via liverpoolfc.tv).

Often deployed out wide while at previous clubs, Sturridge will fancy his chances of being Liverpool's main man for years to come. And with the ability he possesses, it would be a brave man who backs against him.

Another 20-goal season is well within the striker's capabilities. 

Do you agree with this 11, or are there more players you would like to see arrive at Anfield over the coming weeks? If so, whom? And how would you fit them into Brendan Rodgers' side? As always, leave your comments below.