BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Loris Karius of Liverpool during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool at Prenton Park on July 8, 2016 in Birkenhead, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)
Which Liverpool players would combine to make the strongest 5-a-side team?
Just imagine if Liverpool had a five-a-side team consisting of first team players. I don’t exactly know how well professional footballers can convert into five-a-side players, but I’m sure they’d do a good job.
Five-a-side football is all about ball control and skill in my opinion. Keeping possession, beating players and being technically strong win these types of games.
With only four real outfield players, the advantage that could be gained should someone beat an opposing player is massive.
I’ve decided to put together what I think would be Liverpool’s strongest five-a-side team. I’ve tried to think about the players that are technically gifted, and capable of working in much smaller spaces.
I’ve also tried to think tactically, but with such a wide selection of players to choice from I’m almost certainly you’ll disagree.
In my head, the formation for the five-a-side team would be a sort of 1-1-2-1, with a goalkeeper, a defender, two midfield players and a forward. Of course this would be flexible during the match, but I think that creates the most balance.
Goalkeeper
Loris Karius
Despite being injured, I’m still going to say Loris Karius would make a better goalkeeper for this team than Simon Mignolet.
German keepers seem to have some ‘sweeper’ mentality in their blood, and from what I’ve seen Karius looks far more comfortable with the ball that Simon Mignolet.
It was close however, because we’ve seen Mignolet pull of some neat little tricks to turn away from attackers. Maybe the Belgian has hidden skills?
I feel that Loris Karius is the best goalkeeper in Liverpool’s side, and I hope he proves that when he returns to fitness. I would have full confidence playing him in Liverpool’s five-a-side team.
Now onto the defender…
BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Calum Butcher of Burton Albion is challenged by Joel Matip of Liverpool during the EFL Cup second round match between Burton Albion and Liverpool at Pirelli Stadium on August 23, 2016 in Burton upon Trent, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Defender
Joel Matip
Again, from what I’ve seen so far Joel Matip looks like the best option for a five-a-side team. Against Tottenham Matip surged forward with such drive and intensity that he actually posed a threat.
He looks cool and collected on the ball, and we know he isn’t afraid of taking the ball forward. This, plus his obvious aerial threat would allow him to support the attackers and defend reliably.
Dejan Lovren seems to weak on the ball to feature here, and Mamadou Sakho hasn’t played in a long time now.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool (L) and Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane on August 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Midfield
Philippe Coutinho
Imagine not including the little magician in this team. His skill on the ball and outstanding dribble would allow him to work the ball well on a smaller pitch.
He’s easily capable of beating players, and his finishing prowess has been shown time and time again.
Apart from lacking in terms of physicality, I think Coutinho is the perfect man for a place in this team.
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND – AUGUST 30: Adam Lallana of England talks during the England Press Conference at St George’s Park on August 30, 2016 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Adam Lallana
This was a decision I struggled with more. I thought about a more defensive midfielder, but Lucas, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can just didn’t do it for me.
Sure, Emre Can has good control and some evident skill, but would he do as good a job as Lallana?
Lallana is very good at keeping the ball and beating players. His turns and tricks are good to watch, and I think he’d be useful on the attack. His pressing and outstanding work-rate would also allow him to keep up with a fast paced game.
MAINZ, GERMANY – AUGUST 07: Yoshinori Muto of Mainz 05 challenges Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the friendly match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Liverpool FC at Opel Arena on August 7, 2016 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Forward
Roberto Firmino
This was a fairly simple choice for me. Firmino’s dribbling and skill would make him deadly when squaring up against the opposition. His finishing would then do the rest.
Sure, he’s not as good a finisher as Daniel Sturridge, but I think his close-quarter control and dribbling abilities make up for that.
This team feels like one that would be very entertaining to watch, and I’m actually pretty sad that this isn’t a real thing.
Want your voice heard? Join the Rush The Kop team!
Let us know what five players you think would make the best Liverpool five-a-side team in the comments down below!
More from Rush The Kop
This article originally appeared on 
