Evolution not revolution seems to be the aim of the game at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
While other teams have blown their transfer budget in a scattergun fashion, the brains behind the Anfield transfer machine have been more thoughtful.
Pace, strength in depth and players who are yet to reach the peak of their game have been brought in while some deadwood has been cleared out.
Klopp definitely has a strong squad at his disposal now and choosing a best XI is like trying to decide your favourite Luis Suarez moment!
But it has befallen to me to try and pick what I believe to be the best starting side this year and as a result injuries to players like Nathaniel Clyne have been ignored, because no matter how much potential Trent Alexander-Arnold has show, he still isn’t better than Clyne.
So without further waffle from me, scroll down and click through the slides to peek and how I’ve gone for. And please, leave a comment to let us know what your best XI would be! Oh, and the formation is 4-3-3.
Goalkeeper – Loris Karius
Choosing the best goalkeeper in the Liverpool squad is an eternally thankless task and it’s probably one of the team’s weakest positions.
Simon Mignolet has times when you think all is well with the world and others when you want the ground to open up and admit you to the inner circles of hell.
Similarly, Klopp’s man Loris Karius hasn’t set the world alight with his performances but there is a better stopper than Mignolet lurking inside him.
Given that the German is only 24-years-old makes me think that the creases can be ironed out with a run of games and that’s why I’ve plumped for him.
Defenders: Andrew Robertson / Joel Matip / Dejan Lovren / Nathaniel Clyne
Just like the goalkeeper, left-back is a problem area for Liverpool. Alberto Moreno is full of mistakes, but that’s why Andrew Robertson was bought from Hull City.
The Scotland international made 33 appearances last season in the Premier League for a side who struggled, and along with Harry Maguire impressed enough to move on. He’s also young, gets up and down the field well and has a good engine. Get him in the side.
Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren make the team. Matip is a no-brainer. The 26-year-old has been an excellent signing and the team are a lot better with him in the side.
Lovren makes the cut despite competition from Joe Gomez. His time with Southampton showed he is a classy defender, and that extra experience wins him the place over 20-year-old Gomez.
At right-back Nathaniel Clyne makes the side. He might be injured in real life, but he’s 100% my type on paper. Next!
Midfielders: Jordan Henderson / Emre Can / Georginio Wijnaldum
The Reds are absolutely stocked with good midfielders at the moment and this system only lets three play, so my three are Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Henderson gets in the team every time. He’s got leadership ability and is such a tidy operator on the ball with a good engine, he also seems to get better with every season.
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The next two spots are up for grabs with everyone really, but Can gets in because of his defensive qualities. He makes tackles, he makes interceptions and he can also score. Get in.
Wijnaldum is more of a goal threat and his composure in the box is excellent. The Dutchman can also ghost into the area and seems to know where to be and when. If he could just score away from home…
Attackers: Sadio Mane / Philippe Coutinho / Mohamed Salah
In attack is another area where Liverpool have lots of options (sorry Adam and Roberto), but this has to be the best front three the Reds can offer?
With Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah they have such a goal threat. Both players have amazing engines and scary pace. Defenders hate facing them, attackers want to be them and we love them!
Philippe Coutinho needs to get over himself and buckle down for the rest of the season, but there is no doubt he makes the team every time. The Manchester City game will be really interesting, and gut instinct says he’ll make the bench.
Substitutes: Simon Mignolet / Joe Gomez / Trent Alexander-Arnold / James Milner / Adam Lallana / Roberto Firmino / Daniel Sturridge
The second half of this substitutes bench is just… wow! With two youngsters on the bench in defence there isn’t a huge amount of experienced cover, but there is a great deal of potential.
James Milner is a jack of all trades that can be counted on to do this job until kingdom come, while Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino offer tricky and skill by the bag full.
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Daniel Strurridge may not have hit the heights of his SAS days since, but he’s a cold blooded finisher who is an asset to the club when he’s fit. Not many teams will want to face him with tired legs!