ALL the managers of the Dream Team will be intrigued to see how Liverpool fare in the new season.
Jurgen Klopp is and Arne Slot has the unenviable task of replacing the German with little movement activity to strengthen the team.
Reds games look relatively favorable in the first few weeks of play, so many Dream Team bosses will be willing to help them out greatly from the start.
With that in mind, let’s look at their most sensible stars, cut-price options, and players to avoid.
PLAY IN THE DREAM TEAM BEFORE TONIGHT’S DEADLINE: £50,000 PRIZE PLUS £5000 FOR THE WINNER OF GAME WEEK 1!
THE BEST STARS
Mohamed Salah (£7m) might have disappeared towards the end of last season, but he still finished with 330 numbers to his name, an improved total with just four players.
The Egyptian hero is a popular Dream Team legend who has averaged 30 goals per season since joining Liverpool in 2017.
Salah is considered by some enthusiasts and pundits to be a self-centred player but, while it is true that he takes many shots himself, no striker has created more chances (28) for his teammates in 2023/24, which is an absolute threat in the final third.
The 32-year-old’s quality comes at a significant cost, with Erling Haaland (£8. 5m) benefiting from a premium starting price.
The same can be said for Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5. 5m), the top defender in the game leading up to Week 1.
A clean sheet is still the main currency for full-back assets, but it’s a smart concept to also have an attacking risk and Anfield’s home hero is the cream of the crop.
Alexander-Arnold’s artistic statistics disgraced the most creative midfielders and no defender recorded more assists or great creations last season.
It remains to be seen if he plays mainly as an attacking right-back or if Slot follows the example of Klopp and Southgate and deploys the 25-year-old in midfield from time to time.
When we spoke to the Dream Team winner last season, he praised Luis Diaz (£4. 5m) as a differential that many other more sensible players have foolishly overlooked.
The Colombian winger accumulated 250 goals thanks to thirteen goals and eight assists last time.
Cody Gakpo (£4. 5m) looked perfect on Holland’s left flank at Euro 2024, but Diaz has inspired pre-season and is very likely to get the nod at least at the start of the campaign.
GREAT OFFER OPTIONS
There are strong indications that Jarell Quansah (£3m) will join Virgil van Dijk (£5m) in central defense against Ipswich on Saturday and will therefore be considered an affordable option.
If the 21-year-old can secure a starting role for the foreseeable future, he will become one of the most picked defenders in the game.
On the other hand, Harvey Elliott (£3m) seems reasonable for a player who amassed just under 200 points in 2023/24 despite averaging 39. 3 minutes per Premier League appearance.
The former Fulham midfielder is probably too big of a threat to return from the start, but managers keep track of his playing time; If he gets a bigger role, it can be a real bargain.
PLAY THE DREAM TEAM BEFORE THE NEW SEASON!
PLAYERS TO AVOID
This does not at all reflect Van Dijk’s status, but there are greater chances of spending £5m on the Dream Team this season.
For just £0. 5m more, players can back the aforementioned Alexander-Arnold, who also benefits from Liverpool’s clean sheets but represents a greater attacking threat.
Alternatively, last season’s three most sensible defenders are all worth the same as the Dutchman: Ben White (£5m), Gabriel (£5m) and William Saliba (£5m).
Dream Team bosses also exercise caution from the start.
If we assume Salah and Diaz will start on the flanks, that leaves just one sensible top 3 position for Gakpo, Darwin Nunez (£4. 5m) or Diogo Jota (£4. 5m).
The latter turns out to be the favorite at this stage, but Slot will naturally swap his options, adding Diaz (and Salah to a lesser extent).
Supporting the horse would mean dispensing with many points.
It might be sensible to wait for a transparent indication of the new manager’s pecking order before committing £4. 5m to Gakpo, Nunez or Jota, but, for those ready to roll the dice, the latter is a tempting kick-off for the Reds. ‘ to Portman Road this weekend.
©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered Office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “The Sun”, “Sun”, “Sun Online” are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided under News Group Newspapers’ Limited’s popular terms and conditions, in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To request information about a license to reproduce material, please visit our distribution site. Check out our online press kit. For additional inquiries, please contact us. To see all content from The Sun, use the sitemap. Sun’s online page is regulated through the Independent Press Standards Organization (IPSO).
Our bloodhounds try to be accurate, but we make mistakes. For additional highlights of our court cases policy and to make a complaint, please click this link: thesun. co. uk/editorial-court cases/