Liverpool: How Klopp's side could line up next season with Nunez in and Mane out

Liverpool's much-vaunted front three could look very different next season, with the club ready to smash their transfer record for Darwin Nunez and Sadio Mane looking certain to leave.

With top scorer Mohamed Salah, exciting January signing Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino also as attacking options, manager Jurgen Klopp has plenty of decisions to make for next season.

The Reds manager may also look to integrate a new face into the defence as he plans a push for the Premier League and Champions League title, with questions marks over the midfield combination too.

So below, Sportsmail looks at how Liverpool could line up for the 2022-2023 season once the transfer window is over.

GOALKEEPER

One of the most secure positions in the team is Alisson Becker. Klopp has described backup Caoimhin Kelleher as the best No 2 in the world - and he may be - but there's little prospect of him dislodging the brilliant Brazilian.

Always Alisson when fit, at least in the Premier League and Champions League. Kelleher will likely get a run in the domestic cups, with Adrian likely to provide further cover in case of injuries.

Alisson

DEFENCE

Liverpool's defence is probably three-quarters sewn up already. Full backs Trent Alexander-Arnold, on the right, and Andy Robertson, on the left, are among the most crucial players in the team.

Neco Williams, if he returns from a loan at Fulham, and Konstantinos Tsimikas will provide competition on either side.

In the middle, however, the spot next to defensive lynchpin at centre half is up for grabs. Joel Matip generally played in the league, with young Frenchman Ibrahima Konate used in Europe.

Konate may well force his way into the domestic starting line-up as he gets used to English football, with Joe Gomez also talented enough to play more of a role than last year's injury-hit season - but for the moment, he is fourth choice.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson

MIDFIELD

Midfield is the area of the pitch where spaces are most up for grabs. Brazilian defensive midfielder Fabinho is the clear favourite to play at the base of midfield, but beyond that, things are less clear.

Club captain Jordan Henderson, 31, is a key player around the squad and will remain so but may not necessarily be first-choice all the time - just like veteran James Milner.

When fit, gifted Spaniard Thiago Alcantara has the highest ceiling and showed that last season. He can expect plenty of game time, although rotation to protect him could be frequent.

Although Naby Keita enjoyed his best season at Anfield last year, he is not yet consistent enough to command a first-team slot week-in, week-out, so teenager Harvey Elliott may finally cement a regular starting position.

The silky 19-year-old was first-choice at the beginning of the season before suffering a serious ankle injury, requiring surgery, in September. With a full pre-season behind him, this could be his year.

Leeds and England star Kalvin Phillips has been linked with a move, but that transfer is a long way off happening at the moment.

Harvey Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago

ATTACK

It could be all change in the front three, with Egyptian Mohamed Salah potentially the only first-choice remaining from the Salah-Roberto Firmino-Sadio Mane trio.

Mane is set to leave, potentially joining German giants Bayern Munich - with tricky Colombian Luis Diaz set to take his usual spot on the left wing.

With Firmino out of favour, Diogo Jota is a known quantity but Uruguayan striker Nunez will likely take the central No 9 position.

Portuguese wonderkid Fabio Carvalho, a summer signing from Fulham, could be an interesting wildcard and may even be a midfield option, depending on how Klopp uses him.

Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz

BENCH

Potential new signing Calvin Ramsay, plus Williams, Matip, Tsimikas and Gomez could provide cover in defence.

Midifeld is well stocked, even if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaves, with Henderson, Milner, Keita, Curtis Jones, and highly-rated youngster Tyler Morton battling for a spot in midfield.

Up front, Jota will be first reserve, with plenty of game time for Roberto Firmino and possible involvement for Takumi Minamino or youth team prospects Kaide Gordon and Oakley Cannonier.