Stength in depth is actually pretty impressive, except, as we know, at CB. Assuming a starting 11 of the below:
Migs, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Can, Mane, Firmino, Salah.
Then we're left to choose 7 from the below:
Karius, Ward, Klavan, Trent, Robertson, Oxlaide-Chamberlain, Gruijic, Milner, Woodburn, Coutinho, Sturridge, Solanke
I'd assume that Karius, Klavan, Milner and Sturridge are nailed on. This gives us cover through the spine and also options at WF/FB in Sturridge and Milner.
This leaves 3 spots to be filled from the below options:
Trent, Robertson, Oxlaide-Chamberlain, Gruijic, Woodburn, Coutinho, Solanke
I guess at this point it becomes about what options Klopp wants in terms of changing the game, and covering any other points of weakness. I assume a more attacking option in the CM spots would be one way he'd look to change the game, as well as switching formation - potentially a diamond or 4231, so would assume 2 from AOC/Coutinho/Woodburn/Solanke are chosen. This is the difficult selection for me. I think Klopp may want to show Phil that he can't just walk back in, but the obvious replacement for his spot - AOC - will have had about 3 days to train with a new team, and this isn't a bottom 8 club at home. So I reckon Coutinho gets the nod for one spot. My money is on Solanke getting the nod for the other, purely because he gives us the option to bring a genuine striker on, and mix up the formation/approach if needed, plus is probably a greater goal threat than the others. So PC & Solanke means we have one spot on the bench left to fill...
The first 6 subs chosen are Karius, Klavan, Milner, Coutinho, Solanke, Sturridge:
Remaing options:
Trent, Robertson, Oxlaide-Chamberlain, Gruijic, Woodburn,
I'd say we'll see one of Trent and Robertson get the nod as FB cover or to mix up our attacking threat. I think it might be Trent, purely because he offers the same quality of delivery from RB as Robertson does from LB, should we bring on a more traditional CF in Solanke and look to offer crosses and hit him directly. We'd also have cover for LB from the bench in Milner, and worst case if there's an injury in CM or similar, Gomez has covered LB before as well.
So, thinking it through, my subs prediction is:
Karius, Klavan, Trent, Milner, Coutinho, Sturridge, Solanke.
Strong cover up top and in the WF positions, excellent cover in the CM/AMC positions too. Options to change formation and approach from all of them, and adequate defensive cover.
Players not in the 18:
Robertson, Oxlaide-Chamberlain, Gruijic, Woodburn,
AOC obviously becomes a much stronger option as time passes and he's integrated into the squad, but if you look at the quality in the starting 11, then the 7 on the bench, and then the 4 not in the 18. We look very well stocked for this season. Bear in mind Lallana is still out injured as well.
I think others could easily make arguments for Robertson and AOC to be part of the 11 or 18 respectively as well.
Can't remember a liverpool squad with as much strength and variety since the treble winning season under Houllier.
