Picking a Best Liverpool XI Using Only One Player of Each Nationality

One thing manager Jurgen Klopp has improved at Liverpool in his time in charge so far is the Reds’ squad depth, meaning there will be some tough decisions for the German to make when all his players are available.

Roberto Firmino has been preferred as Klopp’s No. 9 up front this season, but some fans may claim Daniel Sturridge should be starting when he’s fit.

Klopp has frozen out Mamadou Sakho, but some fans may prefer to see the Frenchman in ahead of Dejan Lovren at centre-back.

Such decisions are what Klopp is paid to make—but imagine if he had to make them while only being allowed to pick one player from each nation? That’s the task we’re setting here. 

         

Criteria

So here’s the deal; only one player per nationality—that’s the FIFA-approved, national-team-representing, one-flag-per-player nationality.

If we included players from all time, this would probably be a bit too easy, so we’re only allowing players from 2000/01 onwards—but the current squad are included. 

We’re going for a 4-2-3-1 formation—as Rafael Benitez’s 2008/09 side feature heavily in our lineup—but feel free to select your own.

          

Goalkeeper: Jerzy Dudek, Poland

Liverpool have hardly been blessed with talented goalkeepers in their recent history, and ideally we’d have Pepe Reina in goal in this XI—but including the Reds’ best stopper of the last 20 years would mean no room for other Spaniards in the team.

Dudek was a good goalkeeper but prone to the odd high-profile mistake—something that seems to be a common issue for Liverpool ‘keepers of late.

But the Pole wrote his name into the Anfield history books with his heroics in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul and therefore earns his place in this lineup.

        

Right-back: Markus Babbel, Germany

We had to get a German in the team, and we’re going for the Markus Babbel of the treble-cup winning season of 2000/01.

Babbel played a remarkable 60 games that season, contributing six goals as Gerard Houllier’s side won the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and League Cup. The defender’s experience proved vital for the French manager’s young squad.

Sadly, he was struck down with Guillain-Barre syndrome early the following season, a condition that affects muscle weakness and saw him miss a year of action before being unable to return to the same level of form.

          

Centre-back: Sami Hyypia, Finland

An easy choice at centre-back is Sami …

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