Virgil van Dijk, Naby Keita, Andrew Robertson… How Liverpool could line up in the 2017-18 season
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DESPITE making a club-record signing already this summer, all the talk around Liverpool has been about who the Reds could still sign.
Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk and RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita are long-term Liverpool transfer targets.
Despite being threatened with legal action by the Saints and seeing two bids for Keita turned down, Jurgen Klopp is still hopeful of signing the duo.
That said, the fees will easily eclipse the £37m paid to Roma for Mo Salah this summer.
The Egyptian himself has already turned heads with his scintillating performances in pre-season so far.
Liverpool have also already got their hands on former Hull left-back Andrew Robertson.
Our friends at Football Whispers look at how Liverpool could line up next season if the Merseysiders get their two primary targets.
Check out the Reds' potential starting XI for the 2017-18 season, below...
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Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet
A YEAR ago Klopp attempted to replace the Belgian stopper with Loris Karius.
But the former Mainz keeper failed to convince after a pre-season injury, allowing Mignolet to establish himself as No1.
The former Sunderland stopper has struggled to replicate his Black Cats form at Anfield but came into his own last season and will start the new season ahead of Karius.
Right-back: Nathaniel Clyne
ENGLAND international Clyne could face more competition for his place this season following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impressive form last term.
The teenager did well in seven top-flight appearances – two of them starts – but is still likely to play second fiddle to the ultra-consistent former Southampton man to begin with.
Centre-back: Joel Matip
LIVERPOOL wasted little time snapping up the former Schalke centre-half on a free transfer last season – agreeing a deal in February.
And the signing of Matip was quickly vindicated as the Cameroonian settled in seamlessly.
Matip was the Reds’ most consistent performer in defence last season and his place is assured next season – whoever he finds himself lining up alongside.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk
A LENGTHY pursuit for the Dutchman looked dead in the water at the beginning of June when Southampton threatened to report Liverpool to the Premier League over an illegal approach.
The Reds swiftly apologised and withdrew their interest.
But water has passed under the bridge since and van Dijk was left at home as Southampton went to France for a pre-season training camp.
Liverpool remain quietly confident a deal will be done for the 26-year-old.
Left-back: Andrew Robertson
LIVERPOOL'S less-heralded summer arrival is Scotland international Robertson.
After getting by with James Milner at left-back for much of last season, Klopp moved to snap up Hull City’s Robertson for £10m.
The arrival of the 23-year-old, who impressed as the Tigers were relegated from the Premier League last season, could spell the end for Alberto Moreno who is out of favour at Anfield.
Central midfield: Jordan Henderson
THE Reds skipper missed the end of last season with injury but should take his place back in the side this season despite Liverpool’s pursuit of Keita.
Henderson is not the most exciting member of the Merseysiders’ midfield but he brings balance and box-to-box energy, often doing the less glamorous work for those around him.
With Lucas Leiva joining Lazio, he is also one of the longest-serving players at Anfield.
Central midfield: Naby Keita
IT is no secret Liverpool are desperate to bring the RB Leipzig midfielder to Anfield after a hugely impressive first season in Bundesliga where Keita helped the club finish runners-up to Bayern Munich.
The 22-year-old Guinean has been subject of two bids from the Reds, the second worth £66m, but RBL are standing firm.
Keita is believed to be keen on a move to Liverpool – despite interest from Manchester City and United – and a deal should go through eventually.
Central midfield: Philippe Coutinho
THE Barcelona transfer target dropped back from No10 into midfield in the latter stages of last season and was sensational for Klopp’s side, finishing with 13 goals and nine assists in the Premier League.
Interest from Barca will be of concern to Liverpool but the Catalans will struggle to meet the Reds’ asking price for the Brazilian playmaker who has been their creative catalyst for a while now.
Forward: Mo Salah
THE Egyptian is Liverpool’s record signing after joining from Roma in a £37m deal earlier this summer – but that figure is likely to be dwarfed before the window is over.
A flop at Chelsea, the 25-year-old bagged 29 goals and 18 assists during his two-season stay in the Italian capital and returns to England a more complete player than he left in 2015.
Forward: Roberto Firmino
HANDED the club’s No9 shirt, previously worn by favourites Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres, Firmino is not a typical centre-forward.
But in Klopp’s fluid front three nobody is.
The Brazilian, nominally, leads the line. But his movement and intelligence mean he pops up anywhere and everywhere and last season hit 11 goals.
He’ll expect to improve on that tally this term.
Forward: Sadio Mane
THE route from Southampton to Liverpool is well-trodden.
Last summer speedy forward Mane became the latest player to trade the South Coast for the Mersey port and he thrived at Anfield scoring 13 goals and supplying five assists in the league.
Mane’s importance to Liverpool was glaringly obvious when, in the new year, he missed several weeks of action to represent Senegal at the African Cup of Nations.
His starting position might change following Salah’s arrival but his impact won’t.