Live4Liverpool Writers Preferred Lineups for Southampton & Beyond

Gabriel Darshan (Writer)

Preferred line-up: Mignolet, Johnson, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Can, Coutinho, Sturridge, Sterling (4-4-2 diamond)

With so many new signings, not all will settle immediately and there’s little need to completely change a winning team by introducing all of them at once. I would retain Johnson at the start of the season at RB, but introduce Manquillo bit by bit so he eventually challenges with Flanno for the role. Skrtel had a good season but doesn’t always maintain concentration. I’d marginally go for a Lovren/Sakho partnership, as Sakho’s pace allows us to play a higher line more easily.

With Lallana & Markovic not ready for the start of the season, the impressive Can deserves a starting spot, although he’ll need to play at a higher tempo than he did in the win over Dortmund.

Coutinho, who is also brilliant deeper in a midfield 3, has been a stand-out performer in the No.10 role and his hunger and desire to be even better will make him a key player for us this season.

Finally, we are yet to sign a top quality striker, and I see Lambert as only a useful backup option. However while I’d also happily play 4-3-3, or 3-5-2 dependent on the opposition and the availability of injured players, in a 4-4-2 I’d love to see Sterling play upfront with Sturridge.

His pace, movement and willingness to play in between the lines will cause havoc. Raheem is a special talent and alongside improvement from other young players will help fill the void left by Suarez.