Liverpool head into 2023 in a weird spot, with the Reds nowhere near their usual best and in desperate need of key players returning to the starting XI.
Injuries have once again plagued Liverpool’s season with the likes of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz all out on the treatment table with numerous other players just coming back from knocks and bumps. And as a result, a lot could be about to change for the Reds.
Transfer rumours are already starting to heat up ahead of the January transfer window, with Jurgen Klopp set for a busy winter that could see Liverpool break their club-record transfer fee as well as offload some fringe players to free up something on the wage bill.
2023 promises to be an unpredictable year for Liverpool, and here is what their dream XI could look like if the Anfield side manage to secure all the necessary deals they need as well as get all their key players back from injury ahead of schedule.
Liverpool’s best 2023 XI – Bellingham and Fernandez transform midfield
It might be something of an understatement to claim that Liverpool’s midfield is in desperate need of a transformation. Whilst individual quality is there in droves in the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson and the versatile Harvey Elliott, the Reds’ centre has been far from a cohesive unit this season.
Injuries have, of course, been a major cause for this issue. But for many supporters, a full reboot in the midfield is order to get Liverpool back to their best, which is perhaps why it’s no real surprise that the Reds are seemingly close to signing Benfica and Argentina superstar Enzo Fernandez.
According to O Jogo, Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Fernandez as well as promised to Benfica to match any offers made by rival clubs for the 21-year-old, with the player himself having a £103m release clause. Yet our dream XI doesn’t just stop at the South American sensation.
As well as Fernandez, England international and Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham has been heavily linked with Liverpool over the past few months. And whilst the Reds might realistically be unable to sign the midfielder, the 19-year-old is simply too good to be excluded from our dream Reds XI.
Familiar faces return to starting XI after injury crisis
With midfield now sorted, the rest of Liverpool’s XI largely takes care of itself amid the return of some key players from injury, namely Diaz and Ibrahima Konate, who has essentially used the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a method of returning to match fitness ahead of the Premier League’s return on Boxing Day.
The France international has missed the majority of the club season due to injury. However, Konate is now back to his best, and for Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch centre-back will be delighted to have the Liverpool titan back alongside him in the back four, which could also help Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive hiccups.
With Mohamed Salah also enjoying a much-needed break, the Egyptian winger will be back to his world-class best with the return of the Premier League this month, with Darwin Nunez also expected to full take the centre-forward position ahead of 2023.
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