From the Echo: How Liverpool FC could line-up five years from now in the year 2020 Five years can be a long time in football. One newspaper received special coverage last year after their England team for World Cup 2014 – predicted in 2007 – was very much miss rather than hit, with not one of their starting 11 making it to Brazil. And yet, even with that in mind, here is how the Liverpool FC side of 2020 could look against Manchester United in what, hopefully, would be a crunch clash for the title. Paul Gascoigne was once quoted as saying ‘I never make predictions and I never will’ – but here is our prediction as to what the team could be in five years. You can also have your say with our team selector, which handily includes the ages of players if the game were to be played on March 30, 2020. And be sure to leave your comments, and future teams, at the bottom. Note: We are not allowed to add any new players to the squad – or a 32-year-old Lionel Messi would be there – but you can add up to three to your starting 11, and we will adopt Brendan Rodgers’ current 3-4-2-1 formation. please log in to view this image Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet Age: 32 In all likelihood, if Mignolet was not between the sticks at Liverpool, then whoever was would have come from another club. Although Lawrence Vigouroux and Danny Ward are good goalkeepers at Under-21 level, history suggests they would find it hard to make the step up. With a new signing not allowed in our hypothetical team, the Belgian gets the benefit of the doubt. Centre back: Joe Maguire Age: 24 A regular in the Under-21 squad, Maguire is currently a left back – but would seem to have the attributes to move in-field into a back three, a position he’s been played in before. He carries the ball well, is strong in the tackle and has solid positioning. His involvement in the All-Star charity game highlights how highly thought of Maguire is. Centre back: Mamadou Sakho Age: 30 The hope, and expectation, would be Sakho develops into one of the best centre backs in the world at Anfield. Five more years for the Frenchman – maybe with a Euro 2016 win behind him – would see him fluent in English, and fluent in stopping the opposition as the main man of the back three. Centre back: Emre Can Age: 26 It’s anticipated the German will naturally move further forward into midfield, but Can has shown no real sign of doing so yet. Perhaps he will simply become a brilliant ball-playing centre back and, at 26, will be entering his prime. Right midfield: Jordon Ibe Age: 24 The biggest question over Ibe’s future is not whether he will make it, but in what specific role. Rodgers’ use of him as a wide midfielder is regarded as a short-term solution rather than a long-term prospect, but he may remain out there simply because he can slot into any attacking position. Strong, fast and direct, Ibe would probably be an England regular at this point, too. Central midfield: Jordan Henderson Age: 29 Captain fantastic? Henderson could very well still be patrolling the midfield at Anfield with the captain’s armband. Even touching 30, he will be tireless on and off the ball. Given his development over the past year, the prospect of a mature Henderson in the middle is an exciting one, with maybe even more goals and assists. Central midfield: Jordan Rossiter Age: 23 The tough-tackling midfielder with a velvet touch would be battling with Pedro Chirivella as the tempo-setter for the team, but the necessity to retain the Scouse heartbeat in the side sees him squeak through. He’s looked fantastic at youth level and has every chance of making the step up – providing he adds a bit more physicality to his game. Left midfield: Harry Wilson Age: 23 There is a big buzz about the left-footed Welsh winger, who has already been capped by his national side – although the Reds would be keen to play that down, as he’s nowhere near that level. Still, he looks a fantastic prospect – one of the best at the Academy – and his late goal against Everton in the U-21s derby recently shows his mental toughness. Could feature in a central position as well, but maybe best learning in a wide position. Attacking midfield: Sheyi Ojo Age: 22 Currently on loan to Championship side Wigan, Ojo has proven he’s more than capable – even at the age of 17 – of dealing with the rough and tumble of English football. With incredible acceleration and a fine end product, Ojo is expected to follow the footsteps of Ibe and return from loan ready for first-team action. Lazar Markovic would be his main rival. Attacking midfield: Philippe Coutinho Age: 27 The Brazilian is still just 22 – hard as it is to believe that given his performances in recent months – and he could be a long-term talisman for the Reds. Hopefully he also gets a proper chance for the Brazilian national side by that point, too. Striker: Raheem Sterling Age: 25 Speculation over his future continues, but optimism sees Sterling entering his prime at Anfield and driving them forward in an advanced, central position. He would have huge competition from Origi, Sturridge and Sinclair – and sometimes drop into midfield to accommodate – but he would be the talisman of the team. Now, if only that contract can be sorted this summer... In the squad (age in brackets): Ward (26), Flanagan (27), Moreno (27), Skrtel (35), Chirivella (22), Phillips (22), Brannagan (23), Markovic (25), Canos (22), Origi (24), Sturridge (30), Sinclair (23) http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-liverpool-fc-could-line-up-8950756 - Do you agree? Disagree? Obviously we will make transfers during these years but thats not this articles aim.
I made this team with the sites generator: please log in to view this image I hope Sterling is still around and starring though.
Sturridge, Lallana, Wisdom and Illori could all still be aroung as well. As could Alberto, if he ever sees the light of day again.
Good point. They completely ignored Wisdom, Ilori, Alberto and Texeira. And Aspas! Sturridge will probably need a zimmer frame in 5 years.
No freaking chance lads it is far far more likely that 7 players at least will be entirely new Flanagan is a joke surely
Forgot Teixera. Aspas willl be early 30s by then, won't he? And I presume his contract will have run out by then - right now, I really can't see it being renewed.
To put this perspective, here's the squad (never mind first team) from five years ago instead... Diego Cavalieri, Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Fábio Aurélio, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Emiliano Insúa, Jamie Carragher, Philipp Degen, Stephen Darby, Martin Kelly, Martin Škrtel, Daniel Ayala, Alberto Aquilani, Steven Gerrard, Albert Riera, Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun, Maxi Rodríguez, Ryan Babel, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva, Jay Spearing, Damien Plessis, Nabil El Zhar, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, David N'Gog, Nathan Eccleston and Daniel Pacheco ...so there are only four players remaining in the squad. One (Gerrard) is definitely leaving the summer, another (Johnson) very likely too.
The difference with that squad is we were not building with the same vision of signing young and up and coming talent, we were failing at nurturing young talentwe did have and our academy was coming out of a very bad time. We were also in heavy decline which is why a lot of the senior players left us. Financial struggles and ownership worries contributed to a further exodus.
Let's face it. The odds that the team will look like in the OP in 5 years time is 10000 to 1. It is difficult enough to predict what the team will look like next season. Very likely we will have a new manager , who will be looking to bring in new talent. I hope so anyway.
Year 5 obviously. I cannot see Moreno being still in the team. He bombs forwards a lot but his main job is to defend. As shown against the mancs he is not very good and was AWOL re the two goals conceded.
Wisdom ignored with good reason, he's not having a good time at WBA can't get in the team and has been poor.
