Current Depth Chart

So I'm hoping you can all chime in with your preferred starting XI, second XI and third XI for the coming season. I know we may bring in another player or two and that it's uncertain who all will be leaving, but I think we have a pretty well-defined idea at this point. No speculative players included, please. But injured players are allowed. You are welcome to choose the formation you prefer.

4-2-3-1
1st Choice
GK: Karius
RB: Clyne
LB: Moreno (I know, I know, but he is first choice at the moment)
CB: Lovren
CB: Matip
CM: Can
CM: Wijnaldum
ACM: Firminho
RF: Mane
LF: Coutinho
CF: Sturridge

2nd XI
GK: Mignolet
RB: Flanagan
LB: Smith
CB: Klavan
CB: Sakho
CM: Henderson
CM: Grujic
ACM: Lallana
RF: Milner
CF: Origi
LF: Ojo

3rd XI
GK: Manninger
RB: Wisdom
LB: Randall
CB: Lucas
CB: Gomez
CM: Stewart
CM: Brannagan
ACM: Ejaria
RF: Markovic
CF: Ings
LF: Kent

I think the biggest change in formation will be that we will play 3 in midfield more often this season. 4-3-2-1 and 4-2-3-1 being the two main formations we will see. 

4-3-2-1 :-  Karius : Clyne, Moreno, Lovren, Matip :  Wijnaldum, Henderson, Can :  Mane, Coutinho : Sturridge

With Firmino coming in for one of the midfield (don't ask me which) when we play 4-2-3-1

I think Milner, Lallana Ings and Origi will get plenty of opportunities with the season basically based around those 16 players.

Grujic and Sakho forced to wait for their opportunities for the cups/injuries etc.

We've got a lot more first-teamers in this summer than I was expecting.  As most of us thought - the manager clearly wasn't happy with the strength of the team. 

Klavan aside I'd imagine most of the signings are pushing for a starting place at Liverpool.  It already looks way more competitive.

The risk when making such big changes is obviously that it could affect your results negatively, certainly until the new year.  But we're hardly starting from a position of strength.  We did finish 8th last year so Klopp obviously feels the gamble to be well worth it.

While individually none of the players have me sitting on the edge of my seat it's clear that we are going to be looking to play with a bit more pace next season.  The gulf in playing style between the likes of Lallana, Henderson and Milner to Wijnaldum, Mane and even Grujic could not be more different.

Starting XI

              Karius
Moreno Lovren Matip Clyne
           Can Hendo
    Mane Coutinho Firmino
           Sturridge

Karius has to start, would be hard to swallow going into season with Migs no.1
Not much change at the back, surprise particularly looking like Moreno could still be 1st choice.
Haven't seen enough of Wijnaldum & Grujic to say they should start - don't see them as obvious starters ahead of Can and Hendo, yet. Milner and Lallana will be pushing too, quite a lot of competition there which is good, tho Marko surely must be sold. I'd probably go with Firmino to start even just from continuity point of view, initially.
Up front, really only Origi pressuring Studge, Ings 3rd choice and needs to push to close the gap.

Average age of our new signings...32

We've got a lot more first-teamers in this summer than I was expecting.  As most of us thought - the manager clearly wasn't happy with the strength of the team. 

Klavan aside I'd imagine most of the signings are pushing for a starting place at Liverpool.  It already looks way more competitive.

The risk when making such big changes is obviously that it could affect your results negatively, certainly until the new year.  But we're hardly starting from a position of strength.  We did finish 8th last year so Klopp obviously feels the gamble to be well worth it.

While individually none of the players have me sitting on the edge of my seat it's clear that we are going to be looking to play with a bit more pace next season.  The gulf in playing style between the likes of Lallana, Henderson and Milner to Wijnaldum, Mane and even Grujic could not be more different.

Sorry to pick out just one part, but this is exactly what I was thinking as well.
More pace, more power, more Heavy Metal. 

Average age of our new signings...32

Skewed a bit by the 3rd choice GK and 4th choice CB there Gary...

Average age of our new signings...32

Can see John and Tom having panic attacks already.

Skewed a bit by the 3rd choice GK and 4th choice CB there Gary...

 If I had wanted to make a point of it I would have posted it in the buying experienced players argument. 

Skewed a bit by the 3rd choice GK and 4th choice CB there Gary...

Personally don't see anything wrong with having a few older heads about, as long as they are able to make their experience count and benefit the squad, off and (when they are) on the field.

Starting XI

              Karius
Moreno Lovren Matip Clyne
           Can Hendo
    Mane Coutinho Firmino
           Sturridge

Karius has to start, would be hard to swallow going into season with Migs no.1
Not much change at the back, surprise particularly looking like Moreno could still be 1st choice.
Haven't seen enough of Wijnaldum & Grujic to say they should start - don't see them as obvious starters ahead of Can and Hendo, yet. Milner and Lallana will be pushing too, quite a lot of competition there which is good, tho Marko surely must be sold. I'd probably go with Firmino to start even just from continuity point of view, initially.
Up front, really only Origi pressuring Studge, Ings 3rd choice and needs to push to close the gap.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

That defense is the best we have at the moment if we don't buy anyone in that department.

Central midfield is more debatable, but, frankly, I don't think Grujić will start ahead of Henderson in the first few games. No doubt that Klopp will use him as a sub in games especially if kid keeps performace level in America friendlies. If Klopp prefers Wijnaldum at central midfielder position he will (hopefully) provide nice competition for Can, Hendo and Grujić.

Three behind the striker should be Cou, Firm and Mane IMO. At least at the beginning of the season. Cannot see Wijnaldum, Milner, Lallana or Marković starting ahead of mentioned three in early games.

Studge is our best player by a mile when he is fit and in form IMO. Ings and Origi are better suited for Klopp's style but Studge is simply brilliant finisher and should start majority of the games if he somehow manage to stay fit.

I do agree that we will see more formation switching between 4231 and 4321 but I don't think Klopp will established 4321 as "default" formation this season if he wants to use best players in theirs best positions most often. This summer signings indicates that Klopp will accommodate formation according the opposition more than last season but players posted by Bmck in 4231 formation will start in the most important games when season start IMO.

Starting XI

              Karius
Moreno Lovren Matip Clyne
           Can Hendo
    Mane Coutinho Firmino
           Sturridge

Karius has to start, would be hard to swallow going into season with Migs no.1
Not much change at the back, surprise particularly looking like Moreno could still be 1st choice.
Haven't seen enough of Wijnaldum & Grujic to say they should start - don't see them as obvious starters ahead of Can and Hendo, yet. Milner and Lallana will be pushing too, quite a lot of competition there which is good, tho Marko surely must be sold. I'd probably go with Firmino to start even just from continuity point of view, initially.
Up front, really only Origi pressuring Studge, Ings 3rd choice and needs to push to close the gap.

Firmino out on the wing? I think Coutinho has shown that is his best position cutting in from the left.

Can and Hendo as the two midfielders? - probably caused the most debate on this forum and I imagine all LFC forums - I doubt we will see it.

I think the biggest change in formation will be that we will play 3 in midfield more often this season. 4-3-2-1 and 4-2-3-1 being the two main formations we will see. 

4-3-2-1 :-  Karius : Clyne, Moreno, Lovren, Matip :  Wijnaldum, Henderson, Can :  Mane, Coutinho : Sturridge

With Firmino coming in for one of the midfield (don't ask me which) when we play 4-2-3-1

I think Milner, Lallana Ings and Origi will get plenty of opportunities with the season basically based around those 16 players.

Grujic and Sakho forced to wait for their opportunities for the cups/injuries etc.

Some interesting thoughts there, and I can see I'm going to have to catch up a bit regarding our new players.

Essentially, I think the 2 formations are different ways of playing a 451, and I'd also add 433 into that as well.
We've already seen of course, how much Klopp values interchange and creativity, but also pace, power, combined with skill and awareness.
I think Heavy Metal is starting to really show.

I mean, we had Bon Jovi for the warm up, but now we're getting into Black Sabbath.
I'm reliably informed there's something called "Thrash" and "Death" Metal?
No idea.
But it sounds good in Klopps terms. 

Can and Hendo as the two midfielders? - probably caused the most debate on this forum and I imagine all LFC forums - I doubt we will see it.

I'm not seeing it on paper right now, but hope your right, that after the money we've spent at least one of the new guys signed will be an improvement in at least one of those two positions.

I'm very happy with this strength in depth. Well done Klopp.

Wonder if this stock up of attacking players means we might see a shift in Klopp's substitution patterns? Might he start subbing at halftime and bringing in more attacking players if  we aren't able to break through?

So maybe Can and Hendo start out, but if we are not showing anything by half, he brings in Gigi for Hendo? (Just  as an example)

I'm very happy with this strength in depth. Well done Klopp.
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Me too mate,Karius is out for 2 months but we have enough cover to not panic.Loving the look of Klopp's squad