A team to get excited about, but lack of depth could hurt us

Following Liverpool’s capture of Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen, I genuinely believe that this is a team capable of competing with the best teams out there.

TORONTO, CANADA – JULY 21: Lucas Leiva #21 of Liverpool advances the ball against Toronto FC during the World Football Challenge friendly match on July 21, 2012 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Let me start by first clarifying who would fit into this first XI to get excited about:

My Liverpool FC Starting XI (4-3-3-/4-2-1-3)

ReinaJohnson-Agger-Skrtel-EnriqueLucas-AllenGerrardDowning-Borini-Suarez

What I can say is that this Liverpool FC has really strong attributes which are pivotal to winning a 90 minute football match. What the Reds have is the defensive solidity that will hopefully go into this season following last season’s masterclass (2nd least amount of goals conceded in the league) along with two clean sheets – albeit against a lesser team in FC Gomel.

Additionally, they have the bite in midfield in Lucas Leiva. This, however, is just an assumption, as his injury might still have a small long term effect on the Brazilian defensive midfielder. Great reader of the game and also a tidy distributor of the ball.

We now have Joe Allen, who will be the Xabi Alonso in our midfield. He will be our ball winner, along with our ball distributor, sitting in a playmaking position – much like Xavi or Xabi Alonso in our 2008/09 campaign, which saw Mascherano play as a defensive midfielder, with Gerrard pushed further up front.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Fabio Borini of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League Third Round Qualifier between Liverpool and Gomel at Anfield on August 9, 2012 in Liverpool, England.

We have two really solid forwards – one a splendid creator in Luis Suarez, and the other – a young finisher amongst our ranks. So far, the signs have looked really promising for the duo, as they managed to combine well together against Gomel to tear apart their defence.

One more spot on the wings is still up for grabs. Stewart Downing just doesn’t have an even 50% grasp on that starting berth out wide. In my opinion, we still need that one real spark on the wings to do better on the attacks – someone in the mold of Uruguayan winger Gaston Ramirez.

Onto depth now. Despite having a strong looking first XI, it will be the potential injuries and suspensions which will pose as a potential threat to Liverpool’s success this season. For one, only Stewart Downing and Raheem Sterling are natural wingers right now (Joe Cole is still considered out injured). Should Downing succumb to any form/ban issues, Sterling will not be ready to make that step up to play first team football week in, week out.

There is that additional option of placing Andy Carroll up front with Borini and Suarez out wide, but is that really Tiki-Taka? Ibrahimovic tried and failed at Barcelona, and the reason was clear for all to see. Despite all his goals, the Swede just doesn’t follow the same philosophy of constant moving, intricate passing and hard pressing on opposition players. If Rodgers wants to do it his way, he would be wise to steer clear of the Englishman, unless Andy Carroll intends to dig his shoes in and do the hard work.

TORONTO, CANADA – JULY 21: Jose Enrique #3 of Liverpool makes a move to hold on to the ball against Toronto FC during the World Football Challenge friendly match on July 21, 2012 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

In my opinion, there are 3 spots that are in need of reinforcements would be the defensive midfielder position, leftback position and centerback position.

At CDM, a reinforcement has been viewed as necessary by fans all over for some time now. Lucas has only just returned to fitness, whilst Jay Spearing was not up to scratch last season. The reasoning is obvious, and it might cost us heavily later on in the season.

At leftback, only Jose Enrique and Jack Robinson are recognized leftbacks proper. Johnson can shift out wide, although I worry – this being because both Johnson and Martin Kelly have very patchy fitness records.

Ideally, a player who is good at playing both out on the left and in the center would be ideal. Sebastian Coates is still learning his trade, and I quite simply think that he’s not ready just yet. With Daniel Agger potentially leaving, Liverpool will also be wise to get a man in should Manchester City come in with a bid in the region of 18 million and Adam Johnson.

So, what do you guys think about this team? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!