5 midfield combinations we would like to see this season

Modified Jul 14, 2017 16:52 GMT

KRAKOW, POLAND - JUNE 30: Mitchell Weiser of Germany and Dani Ceballos of Spain competes for the ball during the UEFA U21 Final match between Germany and Spain at Krakow Stadium on June 30, 2017 in Krakow, Poland. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images) — Dani Ceballos was named the best player of the U21 Euros

#4 Naby Keita, Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - JULY 11: Naby Keita (R) of Salzburg and Dominic Gape of Southampton fight for the ball during the pre-season match for the 3rd place between FC Red Bull Salzburg and Southampton FC as part of the Audi Quattro Cup 2015 at Red Bull Arena on July 11, 2015 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) — Keita was a revelation last season

Uff, this is a mouth-watering prospect, isn’t it? Once upon a time, Liverpool had the most diverse midfield in the Premier League with Javier Mascherano guarding the defence, Xabi Alonso setting the tempo and creating from deep, and Steven Gerrard running the show with his near-perfect box-to-box displays.

Indeed, it was the best trio during its peak; it had everything a manager craves from his midfield: defensive balance, creativity and directness.

And Liverpool can once again get such a combination if they sign Naby Keita. The RB Leipzig midfielder had a stunning debut season in the Bundesliga, helping his team finish second in their first ever Bundesliga outing.

From defensive awareness to silky ball-control, Keita has everything a manager wants in a midfielder. If paired with the creative abilities of Adam Lallana and the tenacious ways of Jordan Henderson, Liverpool will have a very all-round midfield capable of competing for the Premier League title.

Edited by Staff Editor