Thursday 11 August 2016 16:27, UK
Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool will start the season without a first-choice striker - but thinks that's because of the impact of renewed competition for places up front.
A combination of Daniel Sturridge's injury problems and the emergence of other players appears to have resulted in a more even contest for starting spots in attack at Anfield.
That leaves Carragher unsure of who Jurgen Klopp's preferred options are likely to be ahead of the live Sky Sports clash with Arsenal on Super Sunday - but he maintains that it is a good thing.
The former Liverpool defender said: "I don't know if Daniel Sturridge will be the starting striker. Divock Origi played in a lot of the big games in Europe last season and has done well in pre-season.
"Sadio Mane is a very good signing. He can play in any of the four positions in attack and it looks like he will play on the right for Liverpool.
"They lacked pace and goals from those attacking midfield positions last year but his record suggests he will fix that.
"Roberto Firmino has been praised by Klopp as the player of pre-season and he likes him as a centre-forward, so there's no number one striker at Liverpool.
"There's three or four players going for one or two positions, which is a good thing for the team because nobody can rest on their laurels.
"The individuals would like to see themselves as first choice and relax a little bit, but this situation will keep them on their toes."
While Carragher has welcomed Liverpool's wealth of forwards, he admits to being unsure of where new signing Georginio Wijnaldum will feature in Klopp's team.
Likewise, while he has praised James Milner's contribution as an auxiliary left-back, he has reiterated a need for his old side to sign another recognised player in that position.
Carragher added: "I like Wijnaldum but I'm not quite sure where his best position is or where he will fit in.
"It looks like he will play tucked in on the left if Liverpool play a three-man central midfield - but if they don't play that way then I struggle to see where he will fit in.
"Ragnar Klavan has done really well since he has come in. With Kolo Toure leaving and the situation with Sakho, that is really important.
"Joel Matip has been injured, but Klavan has performed better that we saw from Matip in the pre-season games so I expect him to start alongside Dejan Lovren.
"James Milner has a good understanding of the game and great fitness levels, but of course Liverpool need to sign a left-back.
"They have sold Brad Smith to Bournemouth and you need two players for every position so they need someone else alongside Alberto Moreno.
"Milner did a good job against Barcelona but you certainly wouldn't to go into the season without one more recognised left-back."
Ahead of his first full campaign as Liverpool manager, Klopp faces fierce competition in his bid to win the club's first title of the Premier League era.
While failing to reach either the Champions League or the Europa League this term was a setback, Carragher thinks it could now aid the German's squad.
He said: "Like Chelsea, there's no European football for Liverpool next season and that could be massive for their prospects in the Premier League.
"We saw against Barcelona how Klopp wants Liverpool to play in a certain way and it will be difficult to keep energy and pace in the game if you have more games.
"With free midweeks they can go into weekends fully firing with energy and desire to press. That could make it very difficult for the opposition."
