Liverpool's ideal starting XI for the 2014-15 season

Brendan Rodgers will have to make sure Liverpool overcome the absence of Luis SuarezIt was on the 5th of May of 2014 at the Selhurst Park in London, that Liverpool’s first serious title challenge in nearly half a decade, ended with a whimper. The enduring image of that day is that of Steven Gerrard picking up a tearful Luis Suarez, the lynchpin of the team. Suarez was at the heart of everything that Liverpool signified under Brendan Rodgers last year.Goals, speed, tactical flexibility and the willingness to work their socks off, was something which endeared the team to neutrals all over the world. And, Suarez was the epitome of everything good about that team. So, there was bound to be a lot of talk once El Pistolero exited Melwood for Catalunya.What will Rodgers do without him? Will Liverpool become a Tottenham clone, replacing their undisputed star with a host of players who’ll take time to adapt? And, why oh why, did they sign Mario Balotelli? Or more importantly, how will the team line-up without their undisputed talisman?Tactical fluidity: One thing that stood out about the team last year, especially after Christmas, was that they could change their shape and system in the blink of an eye. And, I’m not just talking about the front 3, but about the midfield as well.The team played a 4-3-3 during Sturridge’s absence, a more solid 4-2-3-1 during Suarez’s absence, and, a 3-5-2 during Coutinho’s absence. But, when they were all fit and firing, Rodgers more or less chose a diamond 4-4-2 formation with two strikers and either Sterling or Coutinho at the tip of the diamond. Rodgers was effortlessly able to change this shape as and when required – and incredibly, without any change in personnel.And this is the way they should play this season too, like the Spurs game last week proved. Let’s take a look at Liverpool’s ideal starting XI in a 4-4-2 diamond formation, for the 2014-15 season.Note: The views are the author’s own and don’t reflect those of the website. Readers are free to post their teams in the comments section.4-4-2 Diamond

#1 Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet

A no-brainer to begin with. Ever since arriving at Anfield, Mignolet has had a polarizing effect on the Liverpool faithful. Brilliant double saves against Stoke on his debut were followed by not-so-brilliant performances in the crunch matches against City and Chelsea. A fantastic shot-stopper, the Belgian has a long way to go as far as decision making and distribution is concerned.

Also, he received a lot of flak for being indecisve during set pieces last season, akin to what Iker Casillas is being criticised of right now. Another facet of his game that he’s got to improve upon is his composure under pressure from the opposition forwards. He was caught out time and time again last year, only to escape narrowly.

A promising goalie, Mignolet is here to stay. And till serious competition is brought in, he’ll be the first name on the team sheet. Serving as an understudy to Thibaut Courtois in the national team is sure to spur him onto get better and will only help his technique and confidence. And, as to whether he’s better than Pepe Reina, well, the jury is still out.

#2 Right Back: Jon Flanagan

Born and brought up on Merseyside, “Flanni Alves” has been an Anfield favourite, ever since his Man of the Match performance in the local derby last year. Similar to what Cesar Azpilicueta had to do at Chelsea, Flanno played at left back last season, due to the absence of Jose Enrique. He proved to be a more than able substitute, even scoring a memorable goal at White Hart Lane.

What he has to add to his game though in order to be mentioned alongside the illustrious Barcelona man, are his forward runs. As of now, he’s a rather limited fullback, who’s solid defensively, but doesn’t contribute much to the attack.

Expect him to return to his favoured right back position once he’s fully fit. More competition, with the likes of Javier Manquillo and Glen Johnson also vying for that spot, should be enough to keep Flanagan on his toes, and perform like he did last year. Videos of the Brazilian legend Cafu, who was gushing in his praise for Flanagan last season, would be the perfect inspiration for Flanno to constantly improve, something that he’s bound to do under the tutelage of Messrs Rodgers and Pascoe.

#3 Centre back: Dejan Lovren

Among the toughest decisions that Rodgers would have to make this season is his centre back pairing. In Lovren, Sakho and Skrtel, he has 3 world class centre backs, all of whom would train their hearts out to get into the team. But because Rodgers likes his defenders to be composed and comfortable on the ball, Lovren gets the nod for one of the positions at the heart of the defense.

His rapid rise from being an Olympique Lyonnais discard to a Southampton stalwart in the space of a year and a half, caught the eye of Rodgers, making him the most expensive defender in the history of the club.

Just like his partnership with Jose Fonte at St Mary’s, Lovren also formed a formidable centre back pairing with Dinamo Moskva veteran, Vedran Corluka in Brazil. That he forms another one of those strong partnerships at Liverpool is essential, if they are to mount another serious title challenge. Also, he’s a vocal character, as well as a prominent aerial threat, something that Liverpool found out to their own cost at Anfield last year.

#4 Centre back: Mamadou Sakho

Martin Skrtel or Mamadou Sakho? While the former is up there with the best tacklers in the league, the latter is among the more proactive defenders in the world today, nipping moves in the bud. But because he’s also a natural left-sided player, we go for Sakho here.

A product of the pre-Qatari invasion era of Paris Saint Germain, Sakho is the cornerstone of the French defense today, alongwith Raphael Varane. The fact that Deschamps ranks him higher than the likes of Jeremy Mathieu, Laurent Koscielny, Eliaquim Mangala and Adil Rami is an achievement in itself.

A brilliant distributor of the ball, the ex-Parisien is one of the best young defenders in the world today, as we saw in Brazil. Given his age, ability and hunger to improve, it’d be safe to say that he’s going to make the void left by Daniel Agger, his own. Let’s hope he shows the same form all through the year, and for years to come. And if he doesn’t, there’s the bald, tough Slovak waiting in the wings.

#5 Left back: Alberto Moreno

Ever since John Arne Riise left for Rome in 2008, Liverpool have been struggling at LB. Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua, Jose Enrique and Aly Cissokho have all flattered to deceive in the team’s most problematic spot over the last few years. Thankfully, it seems like they’ve found the right man in Alberto Moreno.

After an uneasy and unconvincing debut against Manchester City, Moreno’s quality in both halves of the pitch shone through at the White Hart Lane last week.

Arriving from Seville, the Spanish international is a very, very promising player. If given the time and opportunities, which he would be, especially with the Champions League fixtures coming up, he might become world class one day. Touted as the successor to Jordi Alba in the La Roja side, Moreno is among the finest young defenders in the world today. And there are few better coaches in developing young talent like Rodgers.

Also, if at all he finds the going a bit tough initially, which he is bound to, given the physicality of the Premier League, we have his Spanish compatriot, Jose Enrique as the substitute.

#6 Central defensive midfield: Steven Gerrard

What has Steven Gerrard not done in his storied Liverpool career? Where has he not played? From being an RB to a LW, he’s seen it all and done it all. Not the rampaging, all action midfielder like he was a few years ago, Gerrard sits just in front of the defence today, reading the game in his new defensive midfield role and playing those wonderful long balls to absolute perfection. Also, he can still whack them like he used to, into the top corner, making Andy Gray scream “What a hit son! What a hit!”

Today, his defensive nous means that he can be a solid third defender every time Moreno bombs forward. Emre Can, Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson couldn’t have picked a better role model to learn their trade from. He can pass like Xavi, dictate the pace like Pirlo, tackle like Vidal, read the game like Schweinsteiger and create space like Busquets.

The captain, the leader and the soul of the team, Gerrard might see his starting days numbered from next season. His time is now. That one missing piece of silverware awaits.

#7 Right central midfield: Jordan Henderson

The team’s engine, Jordan Henderson is arguably the most important player in this post-Suarez Liverpool team. It is his versatility and relentless work-rate that allows Rodgers to chop and change his formation as and when he wants. Henderson is a true box-to-box midfielder, equally adept at playing in both halves.

Gone are the days when he was a player afraid to wear the famous red shirt with the weight it carried. Today, he is a leader of the team, a player who has developed tremendously, unlike the rather stagnant growth of England’s other great midfield hope, Jack Wilshere.

Though he may lack the ability of Gerrard in his peak days, his willingness to improve is enough to ensure he’d always be one of Rodgers’ most trusted men. His reading of the game, confidence and metronomic passing ability have exponentially grown over the last year and a half. All he needs to do now, is score a few more goals.

Some are already speaking of him as the next Liverpool captain. And in Jordan Henderson, the club surely has someone who’ll sweat blood for the team, if need be.

#8 Left central/ Left attacking midfield: Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool’s fortunes changed for the better since the second half of the 2012-13 season. The fact that Philippe Coutinho arrived at the time is no coincidence. The diminutive playmaker does to Liverpool what Santi Cazorla does to Arsenal. A wonderful passer of the ball, Coutinho is an exceptional dribbler too, blessed with pace and skill.

Though Rodgers prefers to play him in the centre of the park, he can play on the left side of midfield equally well, cutting into the space provided by Sturridge’s and Sterling’s runs. Also, his confidence is at an all-time high, now that he’s back in the national squad.

Coutinho’s awareness and increased sense of responsibility means he’s a more complete footballer today, than he was upon arriving from Inter. Last year’s home leg against City, where he bossed Yaya Toure in midfield, showed how far he has come. Today, his repertoire has more than just a bag of tricks. And, if he improves at this rate, it wouldn’t be long before he becomes one of the best No10s currently in the game.

#9 Central attacking midfield: Raheem Sterling

Like Rodgers emphasizes time and again, Raheem Sterling has no fixed position in the Liverpool team. He roams all around the pitch, gets the ball and runs at the defenders, twisting and turning and giving them all sorts of nightmares. “Run, Raheem, Run!” sing The Kop, every time the teenager has the ball at his feet.

And at just 19 years of age, Sterling has not just the ball, but the world at his feet too. The days when his off field misdemeanours dominated newspaper headlines are long gone. Today, he’s a focused, young lad, intent upon wreaking havoc in the opposition backline.

The most exciting winger seen at Melwood since John Barnes, Sterling causes maximum damage when he plays at the tip of the diamond – running straight at the opposing centre backs who’d be busy marking the two strikers. The fact that he can play as an auxiliary striker, only adds to the ever increasing fear factor he brings to this Liverpool team.

Probably the most dangerous player in Rodgers’ armoury right now, he is the most promising English footballer today, bar none.

#10 Daniel Sturridge (Centre forward)

Ever since he left West London and came to Melwood, Daniel Sturridge has been a man on a mission, scoring goals almost every other week. His trickery and pace makes him a unique forward – a player who can create space for others as well as someone who does what poachers do best – hit the back of the net unrelentingly. His famed partnership with Suarez terrorized opposition defences last season. Now that he’s lost his partner, the onus is on Sturridge to score more and create more and I wouldn’t put it past him to do just that.

A Champions League winner already, albeit as a rarely used substitute, Sturridge has shown time and again, that he can be counted upon, when the going gets tough. Like his goal in the opening victory over Southampton showed, he has added a ruthless precision to his finishing.

Though he has miles to go as far as his weak foot ability is concerned, he is well on his way to becoming one of Europe’s most feared strikers. The boardrooms at Manchester and West London must be cursing themselves for letting him go

#11 Mario Balotelli (Centre forward)

Liverpool ensured the circus was back in town, when they announced the signing of the enigmatic Mario Balotelli. Sublimely skilful on one day and infuriatingly lazy the next, Super Mario has a long way to go before he’d be able to replace Luis Suarez. He has time and ability on his side though.

Also, he gives Liverpool a multitude of options; he can hold up play like Giroud, score with his head like Dzeko, hit them from distance like Rooney or mess it all up like only he can. He has the potential to be an Anfield favourite like his predecessor. Whether he becomes one or not is a million dollar question.

Much adored and much maligned, Balotelli already knows what life in Britain is like. He would do well to stay away from the limelight and concentrate on resurrecting a career gone awry. And if he does that, he’ll join the pantheon of great Liverpool forwards for sure – such is his talent. It is upto him now. Let’s hope he does to teams all over Europe, what he did to Germany in Euro 2012.