Liverpool FC: Predicting the Reds' Starting XI in 5 Years' Time

Liverpool Football Club have a new look this season. A lot of changes have been made to the team and management alike in the last year, and many new faces have come in.

New manager Kenny Dalglish has made major changes to a team that failed to make Europe for the first time in 11 seasons and frankly has been badly managed by the likes of Rafa Benitez and Roy Hodgson.

Try to imagine what the Reds' team may look like when they face Sunderland at Anfield on the 13th of August. Now try to imagine what they'll look like five seasons from now.

This will give you an idea.

GK: Pepe Reina

At 28, Pepe Reina is still relatively young for a goalie. In 2016, he'll be 34.

With the exception of Peter Gulacsi, there are no elite goaltending prospect in Liverpool's youth setup, and with a player like Reina occupying the goalie area there is no reason to assume Kenny Dalglish will look to make an improvement.

It is only fair to assume Reina will still be around.

Right now, Reina is one of the best goalies in the league. He's already made 220 appearances in the Liverpool Red, and the Madrid native will be looking to build on that. There's no reason to think he won't.

LB: Leighton Baines

Jack Robinson is the obvious choice, but why not go with Leighton Baines? The Everton fullback will be 31 and will have overtaken Ashley Cole as the first choice in the England National Team. Liverpool have wanted him for a long time, and odds are, eventually they'll get their man.

Baines is a world-class left back, and Liverpool have been looking for one since John Arne Riise left. He would bring a lot of good qualities to the Liverpool defense, including a good willingness to go forward, and in five years, he'll bring good veteran experience to a young defense.

Look for Dalglish to try to finally wrap up a transfer in the next couple of summers.

CB: Martin Kelly (C)

Martin Kelly, 21,  is one of the brightest young stars in Liverpool's system. He has been knocking on the door for a first-team spot for a while, and he was used a lot by former manager Roy Hodgson at the right back position.

He is, however, a natural centre back and that is the position he gets in this XI.

Kelly is ready to step up into a full first team role this season, so imagine how good he'll be in five years. My prediction? He'll be one of the best centre backs in the world and a key player for the English National Team. So naturally, he is the heart of the Liverpool team, as well as the captain.

At 6'3", he brings great size to the back four. He'll be an intimidating force in the middle of Liverpool's defense for a long time.

CB: Daniel Agger

When fit, Daniel Agger is one of the best centre backs in the Premier League. His problem is that he is seemingly always injured. He'll be 31 in 2015, and if he can stay mostly fit until then he will have established himself as one of the better central defenders in the world.

At 6'3", Agger, like Kelly, has great height. The two would create an intimidating centre back pairing that would compete with the best. The Dane is known for his strength and aerial ability, and he plays a very similar game to that of Martin Kelly. 

Look for him to have a breakout season in 2011/12.

RB: John Flanagan

John Flanagan is undoubtedly one of Liverpool's best prospects, and he proved it this season impressing in seven first team appearances.

It is only fair to assume Flanagan will continue his quick development and soon solidify his place in Liverpool's starting lineup. 

Currently 18, Flanagan will be 23 in August of 2016. Still young. He plays a similar game to his potential future full back partner Leighton Baines in the sense that he likes to go down the flank and join the attack. Liverpool's defense looks strong with the two big centre backs and the two offensively skilled fullbacks.

Any worries Liverpool fans have about the defense right now will be long forgotten by the time the 2016 season rolls around.

LM: Raheem Sterling

Next season, Raheem Sterling will become one of the youngest ever Liverpool players to play in the Premier League. Though he is still 16 until December, he will be given an opportunity behind a Liverpool team that is low on depth at the wing position.

The 16-year-old will still be only 21 in 2016, a tender age for a full time Premiership player. With thought to what he has already been able to accomplish, the prospects of where he may be at 21 are scary.

One thing is sure. He will be in Liverpool's Starting XI. 

CM: Conor Coady

Conor Coady's key to success will be his versatility. Primarily a defensive minded player, he can play both the centre back and the centre midfield positions. That makes him very valuable to Kenny Dalglish and his Liverpool squad. 

At 18, Coady is one of the youngest players in the squad. He is likely to make his full premier league debut this upcoming season and will undoubtedly impress. He has the dedication to make it at this level.

His composure and instincts will make him a vital part of the Liverpool midfield. Coady replaces Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.

With the injuries Gerrard has suffered this early in his career, it would be surprising if he hadn't stepped away from his playing days and taken on a coaching role at the age of 36.

CM: Charlie Adam

At 25, Charlie Adam is a late bloomer. That's why Kenny Dalglish signed him. Despite his mature age, his potential is still sky high.

Adam is still developing, and Liverpool expect him to be a rock in the centre of their midfield. Those are the kind of players who build your team around. The battlers. Anfield fans will soon see how lucky they are to have him in Red.

In five years time, Adam will be 30 years old and a veteran of six Premier League seasons. He will be the key in a young midfield, and he will be a leader both on and off the pitch.

RM: Dirk Kuyt

Last season was a breakout year for Dirk Kuyt. Too important to sit on the bench, he was moved to the wing to accommodate the likes of Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez in his more natural striker position.

He thrived after his move, however, scoring a personal Premier League best of 13 goals in 33 appearances, his second lowest in five years at Liverpool.

Hopefully, in five years time, Liverpool will be a team with several Premiership titles to their name and with very high standards. Dirk Kuyt will be 36, the oldest player in the squad, and you have to wonder whether or not a player who builds his game around his tireless work ethic and energy won't be running out of steam at that age.

Kuyt will still be able to contribute effectively on the wing for Liverpool in the 2016-17 season, but it will likely be his last as a first-team player in the Anfield Red. 

CF: Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez finally joined Liverpool for 25 million in January after a year-and-a-half of rumours. He broke straight onto the scene at Anfield, scoring an impressive four goals in 13 league matches while generally terrorizing defenders.

He comes into the season on top form, after winning the Most Valuable Player award at the Copa America as Uruguay took home the gold.

Suarez is likely in at Liverpool for the long haul. He'll be a key part of the squad as Dalglish looks to continue turning the club's fortunes around and bring it back to success.

It's scary to think that in 2016, Suarez will be 29 and in his prime. What might he have accomplished in those years? The ceiling to his potential rises even higher with the fact that his strike partner for next year and the seasons beyond will be...

ST: Andy Carroll

Simply put, Andy Carroll is one of the biggest and strongest strikers in the world. In five years' time, Liverpool fans will look back on his £35 million transfer and think, "Well, that was worth every penny."

Carroll can and will become half of a deadly partnership with Luis Suarez. A stroke of genius (and about £55 million) from Kenny Dalglish brought them in, and they will complement each other beautifully.

One of them is the fast guy who will provide the through balls, crosses and the dynamics. The other is the bulldozer who will hold it up for his partner and be there to finish it.

Carroll is a classic No. 9. He will still only be 27 in 2016, so he'll just be entering his best years. Together with Suarez, he could take over Didier Drogba's spot as the Premier League's premier goal scorer.