Nobody knows what Liverpool’s best XI is, and that’s a good thing

Liverpool has a wealth of versatile options, and while that may make lineup selection tougher, it’s a good problem for the team to have.

The rest of the Premier League better be on notice. Jurgen Klopp has settled in with his own players for his first full season at the helm in Merseyside. The enigmatic German has put his stamp on this league and has turned Liverpool from a team unable to break into Europe, to a club that can challenge for the title. Anything less than a Champions League berth would be a disappointment.

He has expectations around Anfield at a high that has not been seen since a certain Luis Suarez scored an 31 goals three seasons ago. Klopp has proven the doubters (surely just rival fans who were hoping he’d fail) wrong. There is no gimmick anymore. There is no room for experimenting anymore. Klopp has found the recipe for succeeding with a unique, highly fluid system, and he knows exactly who his most important players are and where they fit best.

Or does he?

We are not privy to the inner workings of the mind of the wizard, so that question can’t be answered. However, we need to step back and take a look at what this club has been dealing with. All of the uncertainty revolving around the health of critical players, and the ridiculous game of musical chairs going on in the back four this season has forced Klopp into some less than ideal tinkering.

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Four different center backs have started a game this season for Liverpool: Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan, and Lucas Leiva. Only Lovren has proven his consistency in the past, but Matip has looked good alongside him. It remains to be seen what will become of the very formidable Lovren-Sakho due, but Matip has done enough to keep his place for now while Mamadou Sakho regains fitness with the U23s.

The only ever-present at the back, Nathaniel Clyne, has been immense for the Reds. The England international’s play for his club is even more impressive when you consider the amount of dysfunction going on with the center backs. James Milner has established his place on the left and has been more than serviceable, which is certainly a welcome surprise.

Clyne-Lovren-Matip-Milner will have to suffice for now, but based on the little we have seen from them, it is not a quartet to scoff at. Overall, Liverpool has conceded the fewest shots per game this season, according to Whoscored. Whatever makeshift back line Klopp sends out that looks, on paper, to be at least worse than many if not all of the top teams, something is clearly right. Clyne-Lovren-Matip-Milner is the most common starting formation at the back for Liverpool, with only three games started. Four other combinations have been used once, highlighting how much fiddling Klopp has been forced to do.

The midfield has been the most vital cog of the team, and I expect that continue. It is the only area where there are no immediate question marks that Klopp has to deal with. However, he has options. Would the midfield be even better if Emre Can slotted in and Henderson moved to interior center midfielder? It is one of many options Klopp has. These are good problems of course. Emre Can on the bench, coming on to give extra help to defend in close games? What more could you ask for?

Henderson and Lallana (when healthy) are must starts. Not many have been better than Henderson is at spewing the ball around with great efficiency and in large amounts. Wijnaldum looks weaker than his fellow midfield comrades, but it is a position that he must get used to. Klopp may view him as part of Liverpool’s best XI, but I’m not so sure. Can and Coutinho are viable replacement options in case the midfield is in need of a different look.

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The status of the front three is uncertain largely because of Sturridge’s health issues. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have meshed very well together, and Coutinho has enjoyed success alongside them most of the time. Sturridge is a top 3 striker in the PL when healthy, but Firmino can confidently slot in the center when he is not. Worst case scenario, Divock Origi or Danny Ings have had success at the PL level and can play the role when needed. Four different versions of the front three have been used from the outset, with Coutinho-Firmino-Mane being the apparent go-to for Klopp.

Klopp has constructed his squad beautifully. He almost always gets his tactics right, and he knows how to get the best out of his squad. The versatility of several key members of the attack and midfield probably gives Klopp headaches during selection. But they’re the kind of headaches that must be had if he plans on reaching the pinnacle of world football. With the squad Liverpool has, that may not be too far away.