How Liverpool could lineup Ceballos and the Ox next season

Following the loss of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for a British record of £142 million in the winter transfer window, many suggested the Reds will struggle in the absence of the Brazilian playmaker, but with the season coming to an end the Reds faithful will see the loss of Coutinho as a blessing in disguise given the emergence of Mohammed Salah who has been exceptional so far this term.

With a place in the top four almost guaranteed and progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Premier League leaders Manchester City, the Kopites will look back at the 2017/18 campaign as a huge success but planning ahead for next season is imperative for Jurgen Klopp as the Reds can build on a successful campaign by challenging for the Premier League title next term.

However, challenging for the title next term means spending big and bringing in quality players to improve your current crop of players, and while Liverpool look deadly in attack, reinforcement is needed in midfield with the future of Emre Can uncertain and age no longer on the side of James Milner, it can only be fitting for the Reds to be linked with a summer move for out-of-favor Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos who has found games hard to come by at the Bernabeu.

Reports from CalcioMercato suggests that the 18-time Premier League champions have agreed a four year deal in principle with Dani Ceballos ahead of a potential summer move expected to be in the region of €40 million.

The 21-year-old is a deep-lying playmaker and he is known for his passing, vision, creativity, versatility, workrate, awareness, dribbling, eye for goal and concentration.

Should he complete a switch to Anfield in the summer, he could line-up in a three-man midfield alongside Naby Keita and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain in the middle of the park.

We take a look at how Liverpool could line-up with Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos in a 4-3-3 formation.

 

Goalkeeper

German shotstopper Loris Karius is expected to remain in goal barring any injury worries after showing why he deserves to be first choice ahead of Simon Mignolet having put up series of impressive displays.

 

Defence

The arrival of Van Dijk from Southampton for a record fee of £75 million in the winter has brought calmness and leadership to the Reds defence.

The impressive pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren is expected to remain in the heart of the defence while Trent-Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson are expected to remain on the right and left side of the defence respectively.

 

Midfield

A three-man midfield is expected with the trio of Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Dani Ceballos.

In the heart of the midfield, energetic midfielder Naby Keita is expected to provide cover for the defence and breaking up opposition play while the duo of Chamberlain and Ceballos are expected to support the attack with defence splitting passes and high-pressing.

Dani Ceballos will slot in to add more balance to the team than James Milner or Jordan Henderson given his workrate and ability to dictate the tempo of the game more from a deep-lying playmaker role.

 

Attack

The deadly trio of Mohammed Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane are expected to lead the line barring any injury worries.

 

 

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts