Predicted starting XI for 2023/24 if Liverpool sanctions £70m on two new signings

Liverpool are days away from beginning their 2023/24 Premier League campaign but questions remain unanswered in the transfer market.

In this article:

• The two signings most needed based on recent links
• How they would fit in at Liverpool and why they're needed

Jurgen Klopp has guided his players through pre-season without much to complain about aside from worrying defensive showings with the Reds far too easy to attack.

It's a huge departure from the team that won the title in 2020 where teams struggled to get a shot on target let alone play a box to box game which Liverpool are playing a dangerous game with currently.

A lot of it has to do with the current tactics but it has more to do with a lack of squad depth once again.

The likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are amazing additions but they will struggle without stability around them.

Mac Allister was deployed as a no.6 against Darmstadt on Monday evening and despite his ability between the lines, he simply isn't specialised in stopping attacks - he's more used to starting them.

Without a new no.6 to replace Fabinho, Liverpool will drop far more points than they should this season. The situation is worsened given that Jordan Henderson was also a decent holding midfielder when called upon.

The two signings that are essential at this point of the transfer window

Romeo Lavia

Romeo Lavia is the first, obviously. Liverpool have submitted a fourth offer to Southampton for the 19-year-old after their offer of £45m was rejected immediately.

Klopp's side might be in need of a more combative midfielder with a bigger frame, Lavia is a wonderful player in the no.6 role.

Last season, as per Fbrefs, he outranked 96 of all midfielders for blocks, blocking 1.9 shots per game as well as 1.44 passes.

Lavia makes 7.34 ball recoveries (80th percentile) per 90 so has some room to improve in this area although his performance arcross the board should skyrocket when surrounded by the quality at Anfield compared to what he is used to at Southampton.

At this rate, Liverpool should pay up or move on with Lavia. While I usually applaud the club's approach to transfers, negotiating at length to secure the best possible deal, it's too late in the window to be testing clubs with bids far below their asking price.

Their initial bid was worth £34 + £4m in add-ons. Given the Saints have been very clear in communicating they will accept no less than £50m, it was an insulting offer.

Lavia is desperate to join the club and the sooner he is signed the more relaxed fans will be over transfers and the more excited they'll be as the season reaches its start point.

I think this tweet sums things up pretty accurately.

Andre

Moving on before I get too worked up about Lavia, the next player that would greatly improve Klopp's midfield squad depth is Fluminense midfielder Andre.

The 22-year-old is a holding midfielder and is the subject of Liverpool talks, according to Neil Jones and Melissa Reddy, with the former reporting that Fluminense's progress in the Copa Libertadores could play a crucial role in the development of a move to Anfield.

He is on the shorter side (5 foot 9 to Lavia's 5 foot 11) but he makes up for this with increased aggression which manifests itself best in the way his mind anticipates where danger could appear before it does.

It's the attribute that makes the great no.6s so valuable. Liverpool are a team that relies on instant reactions to in-game developments, counter-pressing almost without relenting to win the ball back instantly.

Fascinatingly, Fbrefs data on ball recoveries is almost identical for both Andre and Lavia. The Brazilian also ranks in the 80th percentile, reacting first to loose balls 7.62 times per game to Lavia's 7.35.

Three years his senior, Andre outperforms Lavia in passing metrics, boasting some of the best passing stats in the game.

His 96% pass accuracy is scarily good for a defensive midfielders especially when you notice his average progressive passing distance of 323 yards per 90 is in the 91st percentile.

Naturally, playing in Brazil will skew the relevance of this metric compared to the tighter passing channels in the Premier League. That said, the underlying numbers and style of Andre makes him an exciting player to be linked with.

How would Lavia and Andre fit into Liverpool's starting lineup?

Just for argument's sake, let's assume Alisson would be in goal, van Dijk and Konate at centre-back with Trent and Robertson at fullback.

Regardless of system, it's likely Mac Allister and Szoboszlai will start the vast majority of minutes in midfield depending on injury and fatigue.

Andre and Lavia have their differences but the role they would play in midfield would Liverpool wouldn't vary much just based on how similar they are stylistically.

With Lavia most likely to join, the 3-2-2-3 may actually work with his extra industry and capabilities on the ball. Trent and Lavia in the deepest two midfield roles with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai further ahead of them supporting whichever front three Klopp picks.

This was how Liverpool set up against Darmstadt. This just won't work without further signings.

My (hopeful) predicted starting XI for next season: Alisson, Robertson, van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold, Lavia, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Gakpo, Salah.

The main positive ahead of the season is that Klopp will have a major headache trying to get his forwards on the pitch.

However, with concerns over transfers valid, it's difficult to get past the concern that Liverpool will once again fail to sign the necessary players, going into the season with inadequate squad depth.

Lavia will cost Liverpool £50m in all likelihood while a deal to sign Andre would cost in the region of £20m. Given £12m was generated from Henderson's move to Al-Ittihad and £40m was earned from Fabinho's move to Al-Ettifaq, Liverpool can afford and outlay of £70m.