Liverpool's Official Squad Numbers for the 2023/24 Season: Expert Analysis on The Reds' 6 Midfielders

Liverpool faces a challenging task as they strive to reclaim their spot in the Champions League and compete for trophies in the upcoming 2023/24 season. Despite losing some dependable players, Jurgen Klopp now has the opportunity to work with promising newcomers to elevate the team's performance after a disappointing campaign that saw them miss out on a top-four finish in the Premier League for the first time in years.

Klopp's squad overhaul has already begun with the signings of Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai, who have joined Anfield for a combined £105m during the summer transfer window. Mac Allister will proudly don the number ten shirt, previously worn by iconic players like Sadio Mane, John Barnes, Luis Garcia, Philippe Coutinho, and Michael Owen. On the other hand, Szoboszlai has chosen the number eight shirt, left vacant by Naby Keita, with his decision influenced by his admiration for the Reds' legendary former captain, Steven Gerrard.

However, the squad has also seen several departures, with James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving the club after their contracts expired in June. Former club captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have also bid farewell to Anfield to pursue lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia.

As a result, there has been a reshuffling of squad numbers in preparation for the upcoming season, with more new signings expected before the summer transfer window closes.

Rest assured, BETIMATE will be your reliable source for all official squad number updates ahead of the new season.

Liverpool's Squad Numbers

Darwin Nunez, the club's record-breaking signing, has embraced the iconic number nine shirt, previously donned by Firmino before his departure this summer. Nunez initially wore the No. 27 but made a swift change to the number nine during the off-season.

In the meantime, Luis Diaz is set to follow the footsteps of Liverpool legends like Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Steve McManaman, Luis Suarez, and more recently, Milner, as he proudly wears the number seven jersey for the Reds.

The pros and cons of Liverpool’s 6 defensive midfield options

With Fabinho and Jordan Henderson now playing in Saudi Arabia, and the proposed move for Romeo Lavia progressing slowly, Liverpool faces a challenge as they head into their opener against Chelsea without a recognized holding midfielder.

This situation is disappointing for supporters who had hoped to witness the Reds start the season as a well-prepared and cohesive unit, ready to correct the mistakes of the previous campaign from the outset.

Likewise, Jurgen Klopp probably shares the same sentiment, as he has always emphasized the significance of conducting early transfer business during the summer.

However, dwelling on this issue for too long is not an option for the German manager. His immediate focus is to find an internal solution for the significant void in the base of his midfield.

So, how will Klopp address this problem for the Chelsea match? Betimate evaluates the potential options below...

Curtis Jones

Pros:

• Versatility: The 22-year-old showcased his ability to play as a holding midfielder during England's triumphant European Championships campaign. He has continued to feature in that position during Liverpool's recent friendly matches in Singapore, highlighting his adaptability.

• Playmaking Skills: Jones possesses the composure and patience required to dictate play from deep positions. His ability to control possession and initiate attacks can be a valuable asset for Liverpool's midfield.

• Underrated Combativeness: While he may not be known for his physicality, Jones has displayed an impressive level of combativeness in the center of the park. This grit and determination can prove vital in breaking up opposition attacks and winning back possession.

Cons:

• Defensive Anticipation: In the recent friendly against Bayern Munich, Jones showed some shortcomings in defensive anticipation. It is essential for a holding midfielder to read the game effectively and anticipate the opponents' moves to neutralize threats.

• Front Foot Defending: Jones may be more comfortable defending proactively, putting pressure on opponents in advanced positions. Against top-tier teams like Chelsea, this style of defending may be better suited, but it remains to be seen how he copes against such elite-level opposition.

On the evidence from Wednesday's match, Chelsea could potentially exploit Jones' defensive vulnerabilities.

Alexis Mac Allister

Pros:

• Versatility: During his tenure at Brighton, Mac Allister showcased his ability to play as the deepest midfielder, although his style is more focused on possession rather than destruction. His flexibility and intelligence on the field could prove beneficial in adapting to different tactical demands.

Cons:

• New Role: In pre-season, Mac Allister has excelled as the link between Liverpool's defense and attack, operating in a slightly higher midfield position. This new role seems to suit him well, and it is unlikely that Klopp would rush to change his position, especially considering the player's promising performances in summer friendlies.

Dominik Szoboszlai

Pros:

Surprisingly, Szoboszlai's defensive performance has been the most impressive aspect of his initial appearances as a Liverpool player. The Hungarian midfielder has displayed a safe and reliable ball-handling style, but what stands out is his effectiveness in winning back possession. His aggressive approach and physicality have played a significant role in regaining the ball for the team.

Cons:

Regrettably, Szoboszlai's playing style aligns more with that of a front-footed defender, and he lacks experience in the holding midfield position throughout his professional career. This may raise concerns about his suitability for the anchor role in the team.

If there is a positional change in Szoboszlai's future, he appears more likely to be a candidate for the front three, rather than being deployed in a deeper anchoring role.

Thiago Alcantara

Pros:

Thiago is an exceptionally gifted footballer, much like Mac Allister, and has previously demonstrated a more refined approach to the No. 6 role whenever given the opportunity to play there. While he may not be a traditional destroyer, his ability to orchestrate the game from deep could make it challenging for Chelsea to dispossess Liverpool when Thiago is on the field.

Cons:

Regrettably, it appears that Thiago might not be fully fit to start the match at Stamford Bridge. As reported by This Is Anfield on Friday, he has only returned to full training for the first time since undergoing hip surgery, and thus, securing a spot on the bench would be a reasonable expectation for him at this stage.

Stefan Bajcetic

Pros:

Stefan Bajcetic stands out as the most natural holding midfielder currently in Liverpool's squad. He surprised everyone with his exceptional performances, emerging from relative obscurity to displace an off-color Fabinho in that role during the latter part of the previous season.

Cons:

However, similar to his compatriot Thiago, the young teenager is still making his way back from a long-term injury. Rushing his return for a single game is not the plan, making it unlikely to see him in the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Pros:

During pre-season, Klopp experimented with Trent Alexander-Arnold playing as Liverpool's holding midfielder, considering the potential absence of both Fabinho and Henderson.

Moreover, even before the change in the system, Alexander-Arnold essentially played a midfield role by frequently drifting from right-back to showcase his extraordinary passing abilities at the heart of the midfield.

Cons:

However, if Alexander-Arnold were to become a regular starter in central midfield rather than an occasional switch during games, it would mean someone else assuming his former role as the right-back.

Joe Gomez appears to be the obvious candidate for this position, but due to his struggles in the previous season, some supporters might have reservations about him starting at Stamford Bridge?

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