LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool look on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool don’t have a certain starting XI and are spoilt for choice. Here’s the best XI for Jurgen Klopp’s men in FIFA 17.
The wait is over, FIFA 17 is finally out– well, kind of. It’s been released in America, as the United Kingdom have to continue sitting it out a few more days.
For those who’re geographically lucky in the sense of an earlier FIFA release, fans of Liverpool will get straight into playing with their beloved side.
The first questions arise: what’s my starting lineup?
Usually with Liverpool, there’s been no choice or simply bad ones. Ugh, do I need to play Rickie Lambert? Am I really going to play 5-3-2 with Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana as wing backs? Glen Johnson still exists?
These days under Jurgen Klopp, the manager is spoilt for choice. Those decisions virtually fall to those handling the controller of FIFA 17.
When you begin play as Liverpool, this is the best lineup to choose.
4-2-3-1 formation.
GK Loris Karius
The new keeper was given an 82 in the new game and seeing a keeper between the sticks already this decent with the potential to grow is a foreign concept to Reds. It’s been the Simon Mignolet Experience as well as Pepe Reina falling out of his prime.
At the moment, Karius can do no wrong. He hasn’t catastrophically fluffed any games, well because he’s only played two, thus his goodwill is strong. Mignolet chewed through his, spit it out then chewed it again.
DERBY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Derby County and Liverpool at iPro Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Derby, England. (Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)
RB Nathaniel Clyne
If there’s any sort of dead certainty for the Liverpool starting XI, in real life or FIFA, it’s Nathaniel Clyne at right back. There’s obviously no real competition to take his spot.
I mean, if you want to get complex, there’s an argument to be made for a three man back line with three central defenders, that’s literally the only way Clyne isn’t in the team.
A solid fullback with requisite pace to keep up with tricky wingers as well as his above average defending, and turn in a decent cross here and there.
DERBY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Joel Matip of Liverpool in action during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Derby County and Liverpool at iPro Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Derby, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
CB Joel Matip
A 6’5″ defender who is able to move freely as if he’s he’s four or five inches shorter? Yes, please, thank you.
Matip joined Liverpool and was destined to be the club’s first choice center back and it appears as if he’s just about there.
One thing about Matip that wasn’t advertised was his ability on the ball. He’s been savvy and confident stepping into the midfield in real life, it remains to be seen if that’s reflected in FIFA, though.
At any rate, he’s a fantastic option to have. Deadly on set pieces!
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur (L) holds off Dejan Lovren of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane on August 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
CB Dejan Lovren
Lovren and Matip accentuate each other nicely and there’s no reason it won’t be that way in the game. Mamadou Sakho is a decent choice, but Lovren edges him slightly here, despite being the same rating (same for Matip.)
The greatest facets of the Matip-Lovren partnership are that neither have weaknesses. Neither are slow, neither are short, neither are weak.
DERBY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Jacob Butterfield of Derby County and Alberto Moreno of Liverpool during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Derby County and Liverpool at iPro Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Derby, England. (Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)
LB Alberto Moreno
Moreno is a better option than James Milner in the game, because positioning and concentration are lessened in the game. The Spaniard’s raw athleticism is accentuated in FIFA and those shortcomings are dulled some.
This season, Milner has been more than competent at fullback despite having literally no experience there other than being thrown in for minutes at a time last season then a bit of a run around this preseason. But, Milner is too bland in FIFA to be effective at fullback.
DERBY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Emre Can of Liverpool during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Derby County and Liverpool at iPro Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Derby, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
DM Emre Can
The one person lost in the furor of the positive start to the season for Liverpool is one of last year’s heroes, Emre Can.
Can had a busy summer away at the Euros with Germany then had picked up a few nagging injuries, he hasn’t a chance to get off the ground in 2016-17.
Liverpool’s no. 23 got a large, deserved boost from FIFA 16 to 17, from 75 to 80, and he’s a fantastic option at the bottom of the midfield.
DERBY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Derby County and Liverpool at iPro Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Derby, England. (Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)
DM Jordan Henderson
Captain Henderson has been impressive to start the season while playing in a deeper role than accustomed. When he’s allowed to partner Can again and have the German behind him, he’ll be able to press more which he’s fantastic at.
Henderson and Can are rated even which is just about fair.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Sadio Mane of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
AMR Sadio Mane
The winger landed at Liverpool and has absolutely sprinted out of the gate, being one of the club’s top performers of the young season.
Mane has added dynamism to an already pyrotechnic attack as his frightening pace is just another entity that needs to be reckoned with. On top of that, he’ll add goals from wide to alleviate pressure on Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.
There’s no definitive weakness in his game, he can use both feet and still is damaging even when teams sit deep and he can’t run in behind, being even better than advertised.
Mane is underrated in FIFA, though, but his pace still gets him into the side as we await the inevitable winter upgrade.
DERBY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool in action during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Derby County and Liverpool at iPro Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Derby, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
AMC Roberto Firmino
The one potential issue with Firmino in FIFA is a lack of pace. If he had Mane’s legs, he’d be one of the best players to use.
But even without lightning in his boots, he’s an awesome option in FIFA.
Firmino’s dribbling, creativity, passing ability and shooting is awesome in the no. 10. Especially with Mane to his right, there’s more than enough pace to cover his lack thereof.
Obviously he’s no Per Mertesacker, but he’s not blowing by any fullbacks with just touching and sprinting.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 4-1 during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Hull City at Anfield on September 24, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
AML Philippe Coutinho
It’s a tough luck loss for Adam Lallana, who’s been impeccable this season, but he’s just a lesser version of Firmino and Coutinho on FIFA. Unfortunately there’s not much reward in being tremendous at pressing.
At any rate, onto Coutinho. Liverpool’s best player is deadly on the game. He gets into the team no question about it, cutting in from the left onto his wondrous right foot is magical. Just find him on the wing and get to dribbling and good things will happen, possessing the ability to shoot, pass or continue dribbling.
Bumped up to an 85 in this newest edition, it’s lit.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Hull City at Anfield on September 24, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
ST Daniel Sturridge
The fun part about playing online games in FIFA is there are no long term injuries nor the notion of rust, so Sturridge gets to just be Sturridge all the time. It’s fantastic, it shows you what this player could be under Klopp.
What’s best for the club, though, is that there’s no longer a reliance directly on Sturridge for goals. Firmino, Coutinho, Mane, Lallana, Divock Origi and some from the midfield and defense make the team a brilliant attack with or without Sturridge.
But when Sturridge is fit, there’s no doubt that he improves the side. He’s a great player when he’s able to play.
Case in point against Hull City. Liverpool scored goals and had a devastating attack with him on the bench, then he comes into a game and wins a penalty within a minute. That’s Sturridge, but it’s great that Liverpool didn’t need him. Then when he came in, he made it better.
Perfection.
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