Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Liverpool's squad depth line-up for next season highlights area needing support

mirror.co.uk, 17 June 2022, 11:58
Jurgen Klopp's side have been busy in the transfer window and Liverpool are set to challenge for multiple trophies again next season following Darwin Nunez's arrival

Liverpool are set to conclude their summer transfer business with the signing of Calvin Ramsay in the coming days.

The 18-year-old is expected to arrive at the Reds from Aberdeen and will pen a four-year contract. He is likely to be Liverpool's third and final addition of the window after Fabio Carvalho joined on a free transfer from Fulham and Darwin Nunez made a record-breaking switch from Benfica.

Jurgen Klopp's side had been linked with bringing in a midfielder, with Jude Bellingham and Youri Tielemans named as potential targets. However, it is understood the Reds will not be signing anyone else before the end of the summer window as the Liverpool manager is happy with his squad.

There could be a number of outgoings before the September 1 deadline, though, with the Reds set to lose Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich for a fee in the region of £42.5million. Divock Origi's departure has already been confirmed, while Takumi Minamino, Neco Williams, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nat Phillips could also leave.

This would still leave the Reds with a healthy squad size as Klopp's side try to challenge for a whole host of trophies again next season. Liverpool played in every possible game of the main four competitions last season and were stretched to the limit at times, having reached the finals of the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.

Liverpool have three senior goalkeepers at their disposal following Loris Karius' departure. Alisson was named in the Premier League Team of the Year last season for a number of excellent performances, with Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian providing suitable back-up and competition.

Do Liverpool need to make more signings this summer? Have your say in the comments!

At right-back, Ramsay will provide cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Williams set to leave the club on a permanent deal this summer. There is a similar situation at left-back, where Andy Robertson will keep his starting spot, leaving Kostas Tsimikas likely to come in for the early rounds of the domestic cup competitions.

Meanwhile, the centre of defence is arguably Liverpool's strongest area as they have four excellent players in that position. Virgil van Djik is the only guaranteed starter out of the quartet - starting 51 matches last season - while Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez battle for the other spot. The latter, however, can also play at full-back and fill in for either Alexander-Arnold or Robertson.

However, some Liverpool supporters are frustrated with the club's failure to bring in a central midfielder, with many concerned by the lack of quality in that position. Although Carvalho could be considered as a midfielder, he is a more advanced player who has largely played as a No.10 or in the front three.

The Reds' formation typically uses two No.8s and a No.6, which may see the Portuguese playmaker struggle to break straight into the starting XI. Bellingham perfectly fits the mould of a 'Klopp type player', with the Borussia Dortmund youngster brilliant at pressing and very confident in possession despite being just 18.

Instead, Thiago, Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson are set to battle for two positions, with Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Carvalho providing suitable competition. Fabinho will play as the No.6 and has Tyler Morton to come in for some of the cup matches. Despite having 10 first-team midfield options, Reds fans feel that the midfield is still a concern and it has been described as being 'too slow'.

With Mane expected to complete his switch to Bayern over the coming days, Liverpool have moved quickly to replace him with Nunez arriving from Benfica. He and Roberto Firmino are the Reds' two recognised strikers, while Diogo Jota has often filled in up front.

Luis Diaz has impressed on the left flank since his move from Porto, while Jota is expected to battle the Colombian for his place. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, who was named as the PFA Players' Player of the Year last week, will occupy the right flank, with Kaide Gordon waiting in the wings for his chance.

Top News

17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final match at MAC³PARK Stadion in the 2023-24 Eredivisie season will see PEC Zwolle playing host to Europa League hopefuls FC Twente on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wellington vs. Victory (Saturday, 7.30am) Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory square off in the second leg of the A-League Finals Series semi-finals on Saturday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly dropped their pursuits of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Lille's Leny Yoro. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Almere City and NEC draw the curtain on their respective 2023-24 Eredivisie seasons with a meeting at the Yanmar Stadion on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted he would like to manage in Spain at some point in his career. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AZ Alkmaar will be looking to pick up a fifth straight victory when they entertain the challenge of FC Utrecht at the AFAS Stadion on Sunday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With the chance to guarantee their La Liga survival ahead of the final day of the season, Celta Vigo will travel to Los Carmenes to meet already-relegated Granada on Sunday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Concluding a triumphant Ligue 1 campaign, Paris Saint-Germain head to the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday to face a Metz side destined to scrap for survival in the relegation playoffs. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly received a major boost in their pursuit of summer target Teun Koopmeiners after Atalanta BC announced their asking price for his signature. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Le Havre are set to take on Marseille at Stade Oceane on Sunday evening in the final matchday of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford midfielder Josh Dasilva has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until at least 2025. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A highly-rated Arsenal academy prospect has confirmed that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Arsenal will need to act swiftly if they intend to capitalise on the release clause in Jeremie Frimpong's Bayer Leverkusen contract, according to a report. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea could be without as many as seven players for their final Premier League fixture of the season at home against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will endeavour to end the 2023-24 campaign on a high by qualifying for European competition when they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla will look to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they travel to San Mames for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea's Cole Palmer has won the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award for the 2023-24 season following an incredible breakthrough campaign. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sixth-placed Lens are set to take on 12th-placed Montpellier HSC in the final game of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday evening. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Galatasaray have the chance to seal the Turkish Super Lig title when they host arch-rivals and closest challengers Fenerbahce at Rams Park on Sunday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has confirmed that he is leaving the club at the end of the season. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial are all training with Manchester United ahead of the team's final match of the 2023-24 Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli have reportedly entered the race to sign Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood during this summer's transfer window. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two midtable sides will go head-to-head when Alaves welcome Getafe to Mendizorroza for Saturday's La Liga contest. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Playing their final home fixture of a stellar Serie A season, champions Inter Milan welcome Lazio to San Siro on Sunday evening. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be without first-choice goalkeeper Ederson for Sunday's Premier League title decider against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk For just the third time in the last 11 years, the Premier League title race will be decided on the final day, with reigning champions Manchester City looking to retain their crown at home against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale has reportedly agreed a move to Newcastle United during this summer's transfer window. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly held discussions over the signing of Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk ARSENAL Gameweek 38 opponents: Everton (H) Out: None Doubtful: Jurrien Timber (knee) ASTON VILLA Gameweek 38 opponents: Palace (A) Out: Emiliano Buendia (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee), Jacob Ramsey (toe), Morgan Rogers (hamstring), Matty Cash (calf), Youri Tielemans (groin), Nicolo Zaniolo (foot) Doubtful: None Unai Emery quotes: "Zaniolo broke his metatarsal and it is bad news. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have sacked head coach Massimiliano Allegri just two days after Wednesday's Coppa Italia triumph.