My Assessment of Liverpool's Squad Right Now

A position-by-position look at Liverpool’s current squad, covering strengths, weak spots and where upgrades might be needed, alongside thoughts on key players and what the next windows should address.

So here we are having three weeks of break and probably a ton of wild news. Posts will come our way (including from me) as we all get bored waiting for the run of games in Oct that is looking tough, exciting, and fun.

Here's my humble assessment of the team we have for now:

GKs

1. Alisson - not at the level he was, but still an extremely good one. His save today when the ball was creeping in is a reminder he still has it. I hope he stays a while longer because honestly, I can't see who can fill his shoes when his day is up.

2. Mama - as he isn't a ball-playing GK, the team will have to change the way it plays when he's in the team. I guess he is decent back-up, but am unsure if we ever look to replace him, who would be a good no. 2.

3. Woodman - guess he has been decent as a no. 3.

Guess there will be some rebuilding in the next couple of years. But for this season, we are fine.

CBs

1. VVD - has lost some pace but is looking to get other aspects of his game back to what it was. Hopefully he can be a good influence to the promising young ones we have.

2. Jacquet - seems that he took Ed001's feedback and is now more front-footed. He's probably been the best signing and helps our centre to look much more calm and secure now.

3. Araujo - playing more at RB now, but I am sure he will be able to do a fine job when needed. Has his limitations in ball playing but a proper defender.

4. Gomez - still has his niggles but he can be trusted to play here if needed and do a decent job.

5. Leoni - hoping that he recovers well and can fulfil his promise. His debut, before the unfortunate injury struck, looked really good.

Seems like our strongest department for now and also in the future.

RBs

1. Araujo - not bought for this position but he is doing a good job here. Adds physicality, heading, old-school defending. Given the way we play, perhaps this could be his best position in the team if there really isn't a better RB that can do the job at both ends of the pitch. He shores up our defence and just supports in attacks.

2. Frimpong - hoping to be proven wrong, but can't see him as a reliable defender. It'll be a case of if his offensive output significantly outweighs defensive frailty (that maybe Jacquet can help cover) that makes him worth it for me. I'd move him on.

3. Bradley - hoping as he matures, injuries will be a thing of the past and he can grow into a great RB. Still young enough and has the talent for it. Just hoping his body holds up.

4. Gomez - can cover if needed.

Seems decent enough for now but an area that can be improved on.

LBs

1. Kerkez - he works hard no doubt, just doesn't come across as someone sound defensively and his offensive output hasn't been great. Happy to give him this season and see if the magic of AI can turn him into a new Robbo for us.

2. Tsimikas - a cult hero but probably not and won't be able to play at the level we need. I'd move him on and have youngsters cover, I guess.

3. Gomez - can cover and probably the best defender of this lot.

An area that we do need to improve on massively.

CMs

1. Dom - if he is to play this role for this team, tactical discipline, positional awareness, and aggressiveness have to improve. He has much more talent than Henderson and Milner, but it would do him some good to learn from our old skippers what it means to play well in a pressing team as a CM to dominate the middle of the park.

2. Mac Allister - perhaps it's the push for a new contract, but he is beginning to look like the player we admired from Brighton and did so well in Klopp's final season. He doesn't have the mobility, but I think he can still do a job for a couple more years with a good attitude.

3. Nyoni - apart from lacking experience and some physicality for now, he has positioning, awareness, and passing is really good. Let's hope we nurture him into who he can be - a calm, steady, ball-playing CM that will help us dominate the middle.

4. McConnell - not sure he's at the level we need, but I do appreciate he puts in the hard work.

5. Gravenberch - he played his best for us in a DM position and his turn and carry helped to break the lines. But as a CM, he is not good enough due to lack of positioning, tactical awareness, and passing further up the field. For me, if he doesn't buck up, I don't mind selling him.

6. Endo - seems like he's out of favour and will be moved on.

It's an area we certainly need to improve on in terms of numbers, quality and the profile of players to give us more options to control and dominate the middle of the park.

AM

1. Wirtz - the talent and hard work is undeniable. But it's just not happening for him at the moment. His touch, pass, I just hope he turns good and becomes a Bergkamp rather than a Verson for us.

2. Dom - can do the pressing well, has some shot and pass about him but can be careless and hesitant at times.

3. Mac Allister - not a position he plays for us often but certainly can do a job.

Guess our hope is Wirtz regains his confidence.

LWs

1. Barcola - looking forward for a fully fit version of him to tear defences apart.

2. Gakpo - never understood the hate he got. He's never going to be Mane or Diaz, but he certainly works hard and has got real output this season.

3. Munoz - seems hardworking, pacy and has some output to his game. But needs to work on getting his head up more when attacking.

4. Rio - he's certainly got the pace and some talent. But I'm of the opinion he's not at the level of Fowler or Owen at 18, not even Sterling or Ibe I would say. He has tons to work on his game - running in behind, pressing, defending. If he puts in the work, he can turn out to be at Sterling's level or more. It's really up to him if he's going to work on his all-round game.

5. Chiesa - seems out of favour and will be moved on.

We're stacked here and with some decent quality.

RWs

1. As per above, with Gakpo probably doing the best job, with Munoz next.

Would love for us to add someone with real quality here, but who? I wasn't quite impressed with Rayan, to be honest.

ST

1. Isak - not sure if he will ever become a pressing machine. But if he can score 25 - 30 goals per season, it won't matter. Still feel he is not the best fit for our style and we overpaid for him. But if AI can get him to be at his best to finish the chances we create, it may just work.

2. Ekitike - hope that he can regain fitness and confidence. His all-round play is good, but finishing has a lot of work needed. But my thoughts are, his overall play may fit us better, but can he match it with decisive output?

3. Gakpo - can help to cover when needed.

Not a priority area to improve on, for now.

Not sure if we have a championship-winning team here, nor one strong enough to challenge on multiple fronts. But certainly decent enough to put up a challenge and maybe get a couple of silverware still. So we certainly need a few windows to get things right, but I'm quietly optimistic as the three persons we feel really dragging us down have gone, and we have a decent coach in AI. Hopefully, a good SD will follow and we can resolve the recruitment issues with more skill rather than just throwing money and hope it works.

Written by sgynwa September 21 2026 15:47:48