Finally after an extremely busy Monday, the summer transfer window has come to an exciting close.
Radamel Falcao made an astonishing switch to Manchester United, with Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez making room for the Colombian by moving to Real Madrid and Arsenal respectively.
There were last minute deals here and there all over Europe, but now managers will be focusing on who are their best eleven players to fit their preferred system.
Liverpool are one of the clubs that conducted their transfer business quite early, signing no less than nine players and selling their undoubted star man in Luis Suarez to Barcelona.
The Reds have lined up in a 4-3-3 system for some time now, and it is expected manager Brendan Rodgers is going with the same setup.
Here is Liverpool’s best starting XI this season.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON BRENDAN RODGERS TO REVEAL
[/ffc-gallery]
Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet
Although he was pointed out as a weakness in the Liverpool rearguard during the summer, Mignolet has started the season off quite well and will be the Reds first choice for the rest of the campaign.
He will however be challenged by the potential signing of former Barcelona shot-stopper Victor Valdes, but the Spaniard won’t be fit until November and is scene by Brendan Rodgers as merely a backup.
Right Back: Javier Manquillo
Glen Johnson has been Liverpool’s number one right-back for the past few years, but after his form dipped greatly Rodgers went out to sign Manquillo on loan to replace the Englishman.
Now with Johnson also injured, it seems Manquillo is a shot-in on the right of defence and only time will tell if the 20-year-old can live up to the hype.
Centre-back: Dejan Lovren
Dejan Lovren was signed from Southampton for £20million as Rodgers looked to shore up his leaky back-line from the previous season, and is a shoe-in to start whenever fit.
The Croatian is strong in the air and very composed on the ground, as well as being a threat in the opposition’s box during set pieces.
Centre-back: Mamadou Sakho
It is almost guaranteed that Lovren will start every game for Liverpool, and although Martin Skrtel is a capable defender, when on form Sakho will be the preferred partner to Lovren.
The Frenchman was marked as Rodgers’ marquee signing last summer, but battled with form and fitness to feature irregularly for the Reds.
But after a good World Cup for France, Sakho will be expected to up his game and add a bit of fortitude to the Liverpool rearguard.
Left-back: Alberto Moreno
Moreno was undoubtedly the player Brendan Rodgers wanted most all summer, as Liverpool had to bid several times before signing the defender from Sevilla.
Last season the young John Flanagan did a decent job on the left, but a new left-back was always a priority and Rodgers will be happy after Moreno scored his first league goal in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur recently.
Central Midfield: Steven Gerrard
It is difficult to ever see a Liverpool midfield without Steven Gerrard, and the Reds skipper is expected to defy his critics and put in another strong performance again this season.
Gerrard has lost his pace and drive to get into the opposition’s box, but Rodgers will be deploying the Englishman in a deeper role as a deep-lying playmaker.
Stevie-G is still brilliant at set-pieces, and will score and assist a few for his team-mates.
Central Midfield: Emre Can
The German may still be quite young, but whenever he has played Can has been nothing short of outstanding… chasing balls down and therefore giving more room and space for Gerrard to spray the ball around.
Joe Allen may be getting the nod early on in the campaign, but as the former Bayer Leverkusen starlet adjusts to the Anfield environment he should be starting next to the captain in their three man midfield.
Central Midfield: Jordan Henderson
Henderson has been asked by Rodgers and England manager Roy Hodgson to increase his goal output this season, and will be deployed as the furthest forward in the midfield three.
Although he is yet to open his league account after three games, Henderson has already supplied two assists, indicating at a more attacking mentality to add to his endless running.
Right Wing: Raheem Sterling
The rise to prominence of Raheem Sterling has made the English international one of the most feared attackers in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old has an abundance of pace and combined with quick feet and great technical ability, is a thorn for any defence.
Sterling will be the front-runner to start on the right of Liverpool’s midfield, and will be looking to increase on last season’s tally of nine goals and seven assists.
Left Wing: Daniel Sturridge
Even if new signings Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic are available, it is difficult to see Brendan Rodgers dropping star attacker Daniel Sturridge from the starting XI.
The England international can play anywhere in the front three, and when fit will deploy one of those spots but is expected to be deployed on the left with an injury-free squad.
Sturridge scored 22 league goals for the Reds last season and if he can get anywhere near that tally it would be considered another successful campaign for the former Chelsea forward.
Striker: Mario Balotelli
Probably the biggest name to arrive at Anfield, Mario Balotelli on his day is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world but if lacking motivation can be a hard player to handle.
If manager Brendan Rodgers can get the most out of the Italian, then he would possess one of the most feared attacking units in European football.
Balotelli is also one of the few players in the squad with Champions League experience, and although he may not start every fixture in the Premier League, he will be tasked to lead the line against the continent’s best teams.
http://lineupbuilder.com/350×500/?p=11&a=1&t=Liverpool&c=dc0000&1=GK_Mignolet__388_174&2=DL_Moreno__291_56&3=DCL_Lovren__327_138&4=DCR_Sakho__327_211&5=DRR_Manquillo__293_292&6=DM_Gerrard__258_165&7=MC_Can__222_227&8=MC_Henderson__202_131&9=WL_Sturridge__116_64&10=WR_Sterling__116_284&11=FCA_Balotelli__80_174&c2=ffffff&c3=ffffff&output=embed
