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In the past two seasons, Liverpool have been one of the most dominant teams in world football. Under the leadership of Jurgen Klopp, the Reds have scaled new heights and are the reigning Premier League champions, having also won the UEFA Champions League at the end of the 2018-19 season.
The charismatic German has awakened a sleeping giant since taking over the reins at the club from Brendan Rodgers in 2015 and is overseeing the most successful era in the club's recent history. Since the former Borussia Dortmund manager arrived in Merseyside, the Reds have put together a star-studded squad and won the Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.
With the 2020-21 Premier League season around the corner, Liverpool are gearing up for a title defence. With the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal adding key players to their squad, Klopp and co have their work cut out for them.
Liverpool take the cautious approach in the transfer market
In what was expected to be a crucial summer for Liverpool, Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas has been the only arrival in the ongoing transfer window so far. The Reds were reportedly interested in Timo Werner and Kai Havertz but were priced out of moves for the pair, who eventually joined top-four rivals Chelsea.
However, Klopp has called for patience and indicated that he could well add to his squad in the coming weeks, with Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara a top target for the club as things stand. Watford's Ismaila Sarr has also been linked with a return to the Premier League, while Ozan Kabak and Ben White have been touted as defensive reinforcements to replace Dejan Lovren.
An impasse in contract negotiations with Gini Wijnaldum could mean Liverpool step up their pursuit for Thiago in the coming weeks, as the Dutch midfielder continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona.
As the relentless Reds look to defend their Premier League crown, here's how they could lineup in the 2020-21 season.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker has been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers since his big-money from Roma in the summer of 2018. Signed for a world-record fee at the time, the Brazilian goalkeeper has vindicated the club's trust in him with a series of outstanding displays between the sticks.
Hailed as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, the 26-year-old is an intimidating presence at the back and is blessed with impeccable positional sense. Alisson is also a fantastic shot-stopper and has been lauded for his distribution.
Having won the Premier League Golden Glove and the Champions League in his first season at the club, Alisson topped it off by playing a pivotal role in Liverpool's road to the Premier League title in 2019-20. The former Roma man is one of the first names on the team sheet and is sure to start for the club as long as he is fit.
Also Read: Liverpool vs Leeds United prediction, preview, team news and more | Premier League 2020-21
Defence
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is vital to the way Liverpool play, with the young right-back the creative hub of Jurgen Klopp's side. The 21-year-old is widely regarded as the best player in the world in his position and has enjoyed two outstanding seasons with his boyhood club, as he continues to go from strength to strength.
Known for his pinpoint cross and passing range, Alexander-Arnold is also a set-piece expert and has drawn comparisons with the legendary David Beckham for his style of play.
The young Scouser was recently crowned PFA Young Player of the Year for his exploits in Liverpool's title-winning season, as he chipped in with a stunning tally of four goals and 13 assists in the league.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk
A prominent name on the team sheet, Virgil van Dijk is by far the best defender in world football at the moment. The majestic Dutchman has no glaring weaknesses to his game and has vindicated Liverpool's faith in him in spectacular fashion.
After signing for a world-record fee in January 2018, Van Dijk made an immediate impact at Anfield and transformed Liverpool's leaky backline into one of the best in the world.
The Dutchman was an ever-present in the Premier League last season, as the Reds stormed to the league title by a margin of 18 points. Van Dijk was also nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award for the second season running and chipped in with four goals, proving that he is capable of winning games on both ends of the pitch.
Centre-back: Joe Gomez
While Joel Matip is also a candidate to start alongside Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez's skillset complements the Dutchman perfectly, due to which he gets the nods. The young Englishman has improved leaps and bounds under Jurgen Klopp and become a key player for the Reds, having played a pivotal role in the title run-in.
Liverpool essentially had the Premier League title wrapped up before lockdown and Gomez performed exceptionally well to keep his place ahead of Dejan Lovren and Matip. Although he endured a difficult spell towards the end of the season, the 23-year-old is an excellent defender and is valued highly by club and country.
Gomez is an experienced campaigner despite what his age suggests and is set to enter his sixth season with the Reds.
Left-back: Andy Robertson
Andy Robertson's rise from the lower leagues in Scotland to Premier League champion has been quite the story. The tenacious defender has made the left-back spot his own since moving to Liverpool from Hull City in 2017 and is one of the best players in the world in his position.
Signed for a meagre fee of £7m, Robertson took his time to get going but has quickly become an indispensable member of Klopp's team. Known for his diligent work rate and doggedness, the Scotsman is one of the best crossers of the ball and has also been lauded for his energy and stamina.
Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas' arrived at the club this summer to provide competition for Robertson, but the Scotsman is a key player for the Reds and is a guaranteed starter as things stand.
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Midfield
Defensive midfield - Fabinho
Fabinho is an automatic pick in the centre of the park for Liverpool, with the Brazilian midfielder described as the "lighthouse in the organized chaos" by Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff. The former Monaco man has been a key player for the Reds since arriving in the summer of 2018 and has the perfect skillset to anchor the midfield.
A tough-tackling midfielder by trade, Fabinho's dinked passes to the Liverpool front three have become a feature of his gameplay. Jordan Henderson is also capable of playing as a #6, but Fabinho's presence allows the Liverpool captain to play further up the pitch as an advanced midfielder.
The 25-year-old is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and looks set to play a key role for Liverpool in their title defence.
Central midfield: Jordan Henderson
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is coming on the back of his best season as a professional footballer. Having won the Champions League in the 2018-19 season, Henderson had the honour of being the first Reds skipper in Premier League history to hoist the trophy above his head, as he produced a string of outstanding performances in the title run-in.
Known for his energy, organization and leadership, Henderson is blessed with an excellent passing range and is a diligent worker off the ball. The 30-year-old led from the front in the 2019-20 season and lifted as many as three trophies with the Reds, as he was crowned FWA Player of the Year.
The former Sunderland man was also one of the nominees for the PFA Player of the Year award and is all set to go down as a Liverpool legend for his exploits with the club.
Central midfield: Thiago Alcantara
With Gini Wijnaldum's future uncertain, Liverpool are frontrunners to secure the signature of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara. The Spanish midfielder is one of the most naturally gifted players in his position and is coming on the back of a stunning treble-winning season with the Bavarian giants.
Thiago has drawn comparisons with Barcelona icon Xavi for his style of play, having graduated from the famed La Masia academy. The 29-year-old is also one of the most decorated footballers of his generation, having won several league titles with Barcelona and Bayern Munich and the Champions League twice.
Wijnaldum is a fantastic player on his day, but it goes without saying that Thiago becomes an automatic starter for the Reds should he join the club this summer. Jurgen Klopp has spoken about the Spanish midfielder several times in the past and it remains to be seen if he makes a move to sign him this summer.
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Attack
Right-winger: Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool's talisman since his move from Roma in the summer of 2017. The prolific winger scored a staggering 32 goals in his first season with the Reds and broke the Premier League record for most goals scored in a single season with his tally. His second season at Anfield was also a success, as he once again won the Golden Boot for his goalscoring exploits.
While he lost out to Jamie Vardy in the race for the award in the 2019-20 season, the Egyptian maestro was at the top of his game and produced several match-winning moments for Liverpool. Only Kevin De Bruyne had more goal involvements than the former Chelsea man last season, as Salah enjoyed yet another outstanding season.
Not too many attackers in world football can offer what he does on both ends of the pitch, with the 28-year-old also a diligent worker off the ball, much like his teammate Roberto Firmino.
Centre-forward: Roberto Firmino
Liverpool's hybrid hitman Roberto Firmino is hailed as the system and is a vital cog of Jurgen Klopp's attacking armoury. The Brazilian striker is one of the most unselfish players in world football and enables the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to thrive in the final third by dropping deep and opening up space for the wingers to exploit.
No player has played more games under the German manager than Firmino; a stat is conclusive proof that the former Hoffenheim man starts if he is fit. Takumi Minamino was outstanding in pre-season and will look to compete with the 28-year-old for a spot, but Firmino is a guaranteed starter as things stand due to his style of play and tactical intelligence.
While he isn't the most prolific forward around, Firmino scored several match-winning goals for Liverpool last season, most famously in the FIFA Club World Cup final in December 2019.
Left-winger: Sadio Mane
Much like Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane is an automatic pick to complete the Liverpool front three. The Senegalese hitman was one of Jurgen Klopp's first major signings at Liverpool and has produced the goods consistently since joining from Southampton in 2016.
Mane is an explosive forward who is capable of shooting with both feet, while his dribbling ability, pace and trickery have also been lauded over the years. The 28-year-old has progressively increased his goal tally for Liverpool and established himself as one of the most lethal attackers in the world, having finished in the top five of the 2019 Ballon d'Or.
Klopp's front-three have just entered their prime and have a few good years left in them. Liverpool have already won the Premier League and the Champions League over the past two seasons and will look to add to their growing trophy cabinet in the forthcoming season.
Also Read: Top 10 teams with most goals in the 2019-20 season
