As a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter and football analyst, I find myself constantly tracking our squad composition with almost obsessive interest. When news broke about the Alas Pilipinas Women replacing Petro Gazz in the 2025 VTV Cup, it struck me how crucial proper squad planning truly is - something Liverpool has mastered over recent seasons. Let me walk you through our current roster while sharing some personal observations about what makes this group special.
Looking at our goalkeeping department, we're blessed with genuine world-class quality. Alisson Becker remains, in my opinion, the most complete goalkeeper in world football - his save percentage of 78.3% last season was frankly ridiculous. Caoimhin Kelleher has proven he could start for most Premier League sides, and I've always admired his composure during cup runs. Adrian provides that veteran presence every top squad needs, though I'll admit I sometimes wonder if we should blood a younger third-choice keeper soon.
Our defensive line has undergone significant transformation, and I'm particularly excited about the new balance we're developing. Virgil van Dijk remains the defensive commander - his aerial duel success rate of 81% last season tells only half the story of his dominance. Ibrahima Konaté has become an absolute monster when fit, and his partnership with Van Dijk gives me genuine confidence against any attacking lineup. Joe Gomez's versatility has been invaluable, though I personally prefer him at center-back over full-back positions. The full-back situation fascines me - Trent Alexander-Arnold's creative evolution continues to redefine the position, while Andy Robertson's relentless energy remains crucial. Kostas Tsimikas offers quality rotation, and young Conor Bradley has shown flashes that suggest he could be a long-term solution on the right.
Moving into midfield, this is where we've seen the most dramatic overhaul. The departures of Henderson and Fabinho initially worried me, but the new signings have brought exciting dynamism. Alexis Mac Allister has become the creative heartbeat - his progressive passes per 90 minutes sit around 8.7, which puts him among the league's elite. Dominik Szoboszlai's shooting technique is simply breathtaking, though I'd like to see him improve his defensive contributions. The real revelation for me has been Wataru Endō - his reading of the game and interception numbers have exceeded my expectations. Curtis Jones continues to develop beautifully, Harvey Elliott's creativity off the bench often changes games, and Ryan Gravenberch's technical ability suggests he could become something special with more consistent minutes. Stefan Bajčetić's return from injury will feel like a new signing - I rate this kid incredibly highly.
Our attacking options give me genuine excitement every matchday. Mohamed Salah continues to defy physics and aging - his 24 goals and 14 assists last season at age 31 is just remarkable. Darwin Núñez divides opinion, but I'm firmly in the camp that believes his chaos creates opportunities others can't - his 0.68 expected goals per 90 minutes shows he's getting in the right positions. Luis Díaz's dribbling success rate of 62% makes him one of the most dangerous wingers in tight spaces, while Diogo Jota's conversion rate remains elite. Cody Gakpo's intelligence and versatility have been crucial in big games, and I've been particularly impressed with how he links midfield and attack.
What strikes me about this squad is its perfect blend of established superstars and emerging talents. The average age of 26.3 years suggests we're in that sweet spot between experience and potential. Having followed Liverpool for over twenty years, I can confidently say this is one of the most balanced squads we've assembled in recent memory. The depth in midfield now allows us to compete on multiple fronts without significant drop-off in quality, something that cost us in previous seasons.
The recent news about Alas Pilipinas Women replacing Petro Gazz in international competition reminds me how quickly circumstances can change in football. Liverpool's squad planning appears to have anticipated such eventualities, building a group with both quality and resilience. While I'd love to see us add another clinical finisher to ease the goal-scoring burden on Salah, the current collection of players gives me genuine belief we can challenge for every trophy available. The chemistry developing between our new midfield signings and the established attacking players has been particularly encouraging to watch unfold. As we look ahead to the remainder of the season, this squad has all the ingredients for success - now it's about turning potential into silverware.