Liverpool FC: Predicting How the Reds Will Line Up in 2011-12
Liverpool, since FSG has taken over, has undertaken a rebuilding process to make Liverpool a contender, and an English and European superpower, again.
It started with the signings of Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll in January, along with the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as the manager and Steve Clarke as the first team coach.
The summer transfer window this year is expected to be a time of great churn in the squad when a number of players are expected to be brought in. An equally large number—or even more— are expected to go out.
Liverpool did fire the first shot in the transfer window with the capture of Jordan Henderson.
With a number of transfer targets lined up already, lets try and predict how the Reds would line up in the 2011-12 season.
Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina
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This is a no-brainer.
Pepe Reina has been one of the first names on the team sheet since Rafael Benitez brought him to Liverpool from Villareal.
All the Liverpool fans feared losing him like Fernando Torres, but Pepe Reina was ready to give more time to the Reds. Now he is an integral part of the rebuilding process that has been undertaken by the new owners.
Arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League currently, he was the stand-in captain of Liverpool in the absence of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
Reina is already on the path to becoming a club legend. Until lightning strikes, he seems destined to serve the Reds for a long time to come.
The Backups
With the imminent departure of Brad Jones, Liverpool are looking to sign the AS Roma goalkeeper, Alexander Doni as the backup goalkeeper.
The 20-year-old Peter Gulacsi is expected to go out on loan to continue his development.
Center Backs: Jamie Carragher and Scott Dann
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Jamie Carragher has been at the heart of the Liverpool defense for a long time now. Though at the fag end of his career, he still has a couple of years left in him.
Although it is expected that he would be gradually eased out over the next couple of seasons, he can play an important part this season.
Liverpool is also rumored to be in the hunt to sign Scott Dann from Birmingham.
The 24-year-old has been a childhood Liverpool supporter and a former season ticket holder. His partnership with Roger Johnson was one of the reasons for Birmingham's impressive defensive showing in the Premier League.
Dann's signing might also give Liverpool that edge in the air the team seems to lack currently.
If Liverpool are able to secure his services, we might finally see a scouse pair at the center of the Liverpool defense.
The backups
Martin Škrtel, Danny Wilson and Martin Kelly are expected to provide the cover to the first choice pair of Carragher and Dann.
Daniel Agger, though a great center back, is too injury prone and is expected to leave along with Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
Left Back: José Enrique
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The left back position has been a problem for Liverpool ever since John Arne Riise left in 2008.
Though Liverpool had quality in the form of Fabio Aurelio, he spent more time on the doctor's table than on the field. Emiliano Insúa was pushed into the first team too soon, and Paul Konchesky was never good enough.
Though young Jack Robinson filled in, he is far from ready to be the first choice left back for the team.
Liverpool is expected to bring in the impressive Newcastle left back José Enrique. Even Alan Pardew has admitted defeat in persuading Enrique to stay.
His runs down the flank coupled with his good defensive abilities make him an excellent candidate for the left back position. He would bring stability to the Liverpool defense.
The backups
With Paul Konchesky expected to be sold off, Aurelio and the young Robinson are expected to provide cover for Enrique in Cup matches as well as when he is unavailable.
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Right Back: Glen Johnson
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Right back seems to be the least problematic area for Liverpool, with three impressive players fighting for the position.
Glen Johnson, though played at left back by Dalglish in the absence of Aurelio, is expected to be the first choice right back.
Though mainly known for his pace down the flanks, his defensive abilities are often underrated. He still remains one of the top right backs in the country.
His experience would certainly be crucial to build the young team that FSG seems to be bringing together.
The backups
Though many people would want Martin Kelly to be preferred over Johnson, it is expected that Kelly would be used as a more versatile player, filling in for both the right back and the center back roles when required. Most people see him as a center back in the long run.
John Flanagan was also impressive whenever called upon last season, and Liverpool would not be required to look for players for this position for a long time.
Central Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Lucas
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Liverpool certainly doesn't seem to have any problems in the center of midfield, with a large number of players to choose from: Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Jay Spearing, Jonjo Shelvey, Raul Meireles and new recruit Jordan Henderson.
Liverpool is also in the hunt for Charlie Adam, which might signal the end of the road for Meireles.
And even though the deal for Alberto Aquilani with Juventus fell though, it is widely believed that he won't be arriving back at Anfield for the next season.
Though suffering from a problem of plenty, Liverpool's first choice for the center of midfield should be Lucas, Henderson and Gerrard, assuming Liverpool plays a 4-3-3 formation.
Lucas had been one of the most impressive players last season. He has earned his place in the starting eleven, non-withstanding the reinforcements brought in.
He has filled the void left by the departure of Javier Mascherano quite well and was one of the most improved players on the field.
His performances for Liverpool also earned him regular call-ups for the Brazilian national team.
Henderson, the £16 million-signing from Sunderland, is expected to partner him in the center of midfield.
Though just 20 years old, he is a very versatile player who can also play in the right side of midfield, giving the team more options in case adjustments to the formation are required in a match.
It is expected that Gerrard would move back to playing in the hole behind the striker in a diamond formation, a position he made his own in the 2008-09 season when Liverpool just missed the title by a whisker.
The backups
A crucial player coming off the bench would be Meireles or Adam, depending on the player who is on the squad when the team comes together.
The arrival of Adam might signal the end of the road for Meireles, even though he was the only successful signing in a seemingly long list of flop signings by Roy Hodgson.
Spearing, though very impressive for Liverpool last season in the absence of Gerrard, is expected to drop down to the bench once all the players are fit.
And with the highly rated Shelvey to give them company, Liverpool seem to be well-stocked in the center of midfield and possess the quality and depth that has been missing for a long time now.
Forward Line: Luis Suárez, Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing
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This is probably the only area where Liverpool would have all new faces from last season.
Until last year, Liverpool seemed to depend only on Fernando Torres for all the goals. That seemed to have changed considerably with the arrivals of Andy Carroll and Luis Suárez in January.
Suárez has been a revelation since he arrived from Ajax in January and provides the creativity to the attack that Liverpool seemed to be missing.
He lifted the gloom that had descended upon the Liverpool squad with the departure of Torres, and he is being seen as the next big thing.
His skills, along with his commitment on the field, make him a player every team would like to have.
Carroll would provide that physical presence in the opposition box and his towering figure would surely torment defenders, if he is able to get proper service.
With both Suárez and Carroll below the age of 24, they are expected to become a lethal strike pair who will be tormenting defenses for a long time to come.
To solve the issue of service to Carroll, Dalglish and Comolli seem to have lined up Stewart Downing.
He has been one of the best players for Aston Villa since his arrival from Middlesbrough, and he was also Villa's player of the season for the last year.
Liverpool for the past couple of seasons was only depending on the full backs for attack from the flanks.
Downing is expected to provide the width to the Liverpool attack that was missing since the departures of Luis García and Albert Rirea. He would also provide the opportunity for link-up play on the flanks.
The backups
Any team needs a Dirk Kuyt on its rolls. He would probably be used as a utility player in the team, filling up for any absentees on the forward line.
He had already formed a lethal partnership with Suárez, but Dalglish would probably prefer to start Downing and Carroll over Kuyt.
With the departure of David N'Gog, Liverpool is expected to bring in Connor Wickham to fill the young striker role, along with the rising Academy graduates like Raheem Sterling.
Dani Pacheco would probably go out on loan for another season before getting a final try to make his place in the Liverpool starting lineup.
The Verdict
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With the additions to the squad, Liverpool does seem to be developing into a strong team.
The starting 11 would give any team in the premier League a run for its money. With the ever-improving depth to the squad, Liverpool is not expected to falter in case some players are injured.
This, coupled with the rise of the Academy graduates, bodes well for the future of the club.
Even if this team does not win the title in the next couple of seasons, they would probably be able to secure Champions League football for Liverpool next season, and even maybe win the League in three to four years time.
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