Liverpool supporters here in the Tavern starting to lose faith in all competitions due to the sluggish start made so far this season.
Many Liverpool locals here at the Tavern all had one similar ambition for the club this transfer window, that was, of course, the signature of a reliable and established central defender after leaking goals too freely last season. If anything, this season has become even worse on the defensive front, as Liverpool have currently allowed the joint 3rd most goals to be conceded against them this season in the Premier League.
For a side that many had high hopes of title aspirations for at the beginning of the season, these dreams have now started to diminish with the sluggish start Klopp’s side have made to the season.
One of the biggest things that punters here at the Tavern were ambitious and excited about coming into the season was that Champions League football has returned to Anfield, the type of nights where legends of the past have been made.
But this is Liverpool, arguably one of the most inconsistent sides this season, with 2 draws from 2 games in the Champions League they really are underachieving.
However, the signings that have been made on the attacking front seem to be paying off as Klopp sought to bring in the services ex-Chelsea man Mo Salah, Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Chelsea youngster Dom Solanke, who are all attacking options moving forward.
With the personnel brought in the mighty Reds have only managed to conjure up a disappointing 7th place.
Seeing as many fans disagree with Klopp’s decisions, here’s my turn at naming Liverpool’s best line-up…
GK: Simon Mignolet
The Belgian shot-stopper has come under scrutiny from the Anfield faithful of recent times and has faced severe competition from last summer’s signing, Loris Karius. However, the former Sunderland man gets my backing as when he’s at his best he has the potential to be one the best keepers in the Premier League. As one of the most agile and best shot stoppers with cat-like reflexes, he’s severely underrated.
With the experience and ability he carries on a good day, Mignolet would be getting my start in the team without a doubt.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne has been ruled out for the season so far with a troublesome back injury, though is certainly the best option at right-back available to Liverpool, if fit.
Though Trent Alexander-Arnold has impressed when called upon, the former Southampton star surely bests the aforementioned youngster going both fowards and back.
CB: Joel Matip
After signing from Schalke 04 last year, Matip seems to have settle down nicely at Anfield. The Cameroon international is a very robust centre-back, very hard to beat in the air, has some pace about him and is a great ball player who has the potential to be a very good signing for the Reds.
With competition from Ragnar Klavan, Joel Matip edges it as he has that higher level experience and calmness about him needed to do well in such a frantic League.
CB: Dejan Lovren
Dejan Lovren has dealt with a lot of criticism of late, with many fans believing that he is at fault for some of the goals conceded.
But due to the lack of depth in this position at the club, we believe that he is the man to take Liverpool forwards as he has that edge in experience over others. On his day, he can prove to be not only a solid defender but also offers a superior aerial ability going forward.
With many critics chomping at the bit to see the back of Dejan Lovren, all Liverpool fans can do for now is to stick by him with the January transfer window fast approaching.
LB: Alberto Moreno
The Spanish left-back, who arrived from Sevilla in 2014 suffered a lot of criticism in his opening couple of seasons with the club, mainly down to his defensive duties and decision making.
Now 3 seasons into English football, the tricky defender seems to have come to grips with the speed of the Premier League, becoming a regular for Klopp this season he offers a great outlet moving forward in overlapping positions with quick acceleration and an impressive crossing ability.
Due to the improvements of defensive duties so far this season, Moreno gets our call at left back.
CM: Jordan Henderson
The England international central midfield player has proved to be a pivotal part of Klopp’s legacy so far at Liverpool as a real leader in the middle of the park, both organizing and distributing.
The Reds captain is one of the role models in the side with his aggression and passion for the game something that many fans and players admire, he also has a great defensive eye for the game as he works tirelessly to protect the defence.
This midfield anchorman is good enough to fit into most teams, but due to the importance of his game to the Liverpool gameplan, this man gets our call.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum
After signing from Newcastle United in 2016, the Dutch international has certainly enjoyed life in Liverpool as he is one of the sides most consistent performer when it comes to creating and scoring for the side.
The Reds midfielder is a very fast paced, agile, and creative type of player who offers them a lot moving forward. With this man just edging out competition from Emre Can, he provides that extra something special.
For any manager, Wijnaldum is a delight to have in your team with many strikers thriving of the services that this man brings.
CM: Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian wizard has had lots of speculation surrounding his future of late, but with the transfer window closed he’s having to continue his trade in the Premier League.
When you attract the attention of Barcelona you must be pretty special and that’s exactly what this man is.
The Liverpool ace manages to have the ball glued to his feet at all times with sharp turns of pace and his low centre of gravity, this man really is worth all the fuss. With all the speculation at rest, for now, it really is important that Klopp can get this man to knuckle down for Liverpool.
With the attacking midfield maestro managing to make almost as many appearances on Sky Sports goal of the day as he has for Liverpool, there really is no surprise in him being named in the starting line-up.
RW: Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian pocket rocket has settled down extremely well since arriving from Roma in the summer transfer window. Salah, previously of Chelsea, provides the Reds with terrifying pace and dribbling ability down the right-hand side.
The new signing has been a handful for any defence to deal with, having netted already 6 times this season, Salah really has found his new home.
In being a part of arguably the Premier League’s most dangerous trio, the little Egyptian fends off any competition from the newly signed Ox.
ST: Roberto Firmino
The talented Brazilian who has now been playing in the Premier League for 3 seasons and has really started to shine in recent times, scoring 4 goals and assisting 3 already this term.
The Reds’ new number 9 certainly has filled his boots, forming part of the forever dangerous 3 Musketeers.
Firmino has become a vital part of Liverpool’s squad and offers everything you could want in a number 9; aerial ability, strength, speed, agility and most importantly he’s consistently finding the back of the net.
Without a doubt one of the most lethal attacking players in the Premier League, he slips right into the starting lineup.
LW: Sadio Mane
The Senegalese international raised many eyebrows when the player was acquired from Southampton in 2016 with the team still feeling the effects of the Suarez sale.
Still, any doubts Liverpool fans had in this man shortly diminished as the Reds hotshot has found his shooting boots 16 times in 32 games for the club.
The tricky winger, who has pace to burn for days, has continued his fine form this season providing 3 goals in effectively 4 Premier League games after missing 3 games due to suspension.
Therefore, without any shocks to the system, this Liverpool ace stakes his place at the point of the attack.
So Liverpool fans, after a shaky start to the season can this team get you to where you wanna be?
