How Liverpool’s dream £511m starting XI of instant Premier League title challengers could look next season

A look at what Liverpool’s starting XI could look like come next season amid expected new arrivals this summer.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Liverpool will already be preparing for next season as they look to put a disappointing campaign behind them.

The Reds eventually managed to recoverto secure a Europa League spot, but they missed their mark by some way having gone into the season expecting to challenge for the title. Jurgen Klopp knows his men need to improve, and he will finally get the money to improve his squad with new signings after an overly patient approach last summer came back to bite the club.

With that in mind, we have taken a look at what a Liverpool XI could look like come the start of next season, alongside the players’ estimated market values.

GK - Alisson Becker - £38.7m

Alisson has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world during his time at Liverpool, and the Reds won’t be looking to replace him any time soon.

LB - Andrew Robertson - £41.3m

Robertson will be holding the fort at left-back, although like many, he will want to rediscover his best form next season. The Scot is capable of being one of the best players in his position, and he is trusted by Klopp for that reason.

CB - Virgil van Dijk - £38.7m

Van Dijk endured a difficult slide last season after a hugely frustrating campaign, but he wasn’t helped by those in front of him. The Dutchman will need to go up a gear next season, but Liverpool know what he is capable of and why he still needs to be a starter.

CB - Ibrahima Konate - £30.1m

The powerhouse will be the preferred partner for van Dijk again next season, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to develop as he spends more and more time in the Premier League.

RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold - £56m

This is the first real decision point for Klopp. Alexander-Arnold struggled in the season just gone, and he actually played some of his best football at defensive midfield. You wonder whether Liverpool might bring in a right-back to allow Alexander-Arnold to play further up, but it’s clear they have other priorities, so this might be an area we see taken care of later on. For that reason, we have listed Trent at right-back for now, but he is another who needs to up his game and quickly.

Alexander-Arnold will be hoping for a better season next time around Alexander-Arnold will be hoping for a better season next time around
Alexander-Arnold will be hoping for a better season next time around

CDM - Fabinho - £38.7m

Fabinho will likely continue to play in the pivot role for now, but Klopp will have options here next season, and he is likely to assess them given the struggles the Reds had in the middle of the park last term. A defensive midfielder doesn’t seem to be Liverpool’s priority right now, but if the right option comes up, they may well take it.

CM - Alexis Mac Allister - £36.1m

On to the new boys, and Liverpool need creativity and a youthful touch in their midfield. They will almost certainly sign two creative midfielders, and it looks like brighton’s World Cup winning Argentine Mac Allister will be the first through the doors. The Reds are expected to pay between £45million and £55million for his services, and Mac Allister will be expected to come straight into the starting XI.

CM - Mason Mount - £56m

The second midfield signing is less straightforward, but there has been talk that Chelsea’s Mason Mount could be the man to fill this role, and he will battle the likes of Thiago for the privelege if he is signed. Mount can play here or on the wing, but if Klopp is going to spend £70million or more, he is going to want Mount to play in midfield, where new blood is needed. It’s worth noting that Man Utd look to be the real front-runners to seal the deal at the moment, however.

LW - Luis Diaz - £64.6m

There will be plenty of competition for these wide roles, and Liverpool may yet strengthen further. Luis Diaz missed much of last season through injury, but when fit, he is a clear starter, capable of creating so much danger.

Luis Diaz struggled with injury in the season just gone Luis Diaz struggled with injury in the season just gone
Luis Diaz struggled with injury in the season just gone

RW - Mohamed Salah - £60.3m

Salah had a difficult time of it last season, but he will go into the new season hungry to return to his best. He is the Reds’ superstar, and he will get the opportunity to do what he does best on the wing, at least in the early part of next season.

CF - Cody Gakpo - £51.3m

Gakpo is still adjusting to the Premier League, and the same can be said of Darwin Nunez, who is improving. Nunez could play here or out wide, while Liverpool could also strengthen following the departure of Roberto Firmino. Gakpo was in the best scoring form last season, though, netting seven times in the back-half of the Premier League season - having jointed in January - and he could well get the nod to play here. Diogo Jota will also be pushing for a start, and it does seem like Liverpool will need an out-and-out striker as an alternative.