Liverpool FC: How the Reds XI Might Look in 2015

It has been over 20 years since Liverpool won its last League title in 1990. 

Since then, Liverpool have come close on more than one occasion but failed to achieve that ultimate target.

After coming agonizingly close in 2009, many fans expected Liverpool to cross that hurdle soon. But the last two seasons have been nothing short of dreadful for the Reds.  

The sale of key players along with the uncertainty surrounding the club's ownership were identified as the possible reasons. 

Much to the relief of Liverpool fans, the dreadful reign of Tom Hicks and George Gillett came to an end in October 2010 when Fenway Sports Group, the owners of Boston Red Sox baseball team, took over the club. 

This, coupled with the arrival of the legend Kenny Dalglish, has again given hopes to the Liverpool fans that the team might once again be able to compete with the best soon.

The new owners have also stated their ambition of competing for the title in two-to--three years time, and the strategy they want to use is to invest in youth.

Hence, it might be the appropriate time to try and predict what the team might look like in 2015.

Well, the first slide itself is controversial. Many fans would be ready to pounce on me for not having Pepe Reina in this slide. 

However, I believe that the fans need to be realistic now and be ready to accept that Reina might leave soon. Though, I do sincerely hope that if that happens, he does not move to a rival.

But Liverpool do have able backup in the form of Peter Gulacsi.

The Hungary U-21 goalkeeper signed for Liverpool in 2008 after a successful loan spell, when he helped the reserves win the treble.

Over the past few seasons, Liverpool has sent him out on loan three times, which has helped him to gain valuable game time.

The management at Liverpool does rate him highly, which can be seen from the fact that Gulacsi has now replaced Brad Jones as the No. 2 goalkeeper at Liverpool. 

With the England U-16 international, Tyrell Belford to give quality backup, Liverpool might not have too many worries in this department.

Contrary to popular belief that Glen Johnson would move on soon, I believe Johnson will stay at Anfield for some time to come. 

The England international has been moved to a less preferred left-back role this season, but that has largely been due to the absence of any decent left backs in the team currently.

As and when Liverpool do buy a left back, Johnson would most probably move to his preferred right-back role, with Martin Kelly to provide cover in his absence. 

Since his move to Liverpool, his runs down the wings have given Liverpool that added option in attack and he could be a Liverpool legend in the making.

The left back position has been the Achilles heel for Liverpool since the departure of John Arne Riise.  

A number of players like Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua and the infamous Paul Konchesky have not been able to fill that void. Hence, it is no secret that Liverpool would be in the market for a left back.

However, I also hope that Insua is brought back to Anfield to continue his development under a more experienced left back and by 2015, we might have two good left backs instead of one. 

Liverpool, right through the last decade had a great partnership in the center of defense with Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia. 

Daniel Agger and Martin Kelly have the potential to form a similar partnership for Liverpool.

Both Kelly and Agger are the kind of defenders who like to play the Liverpool way, more comfortable with pass-and-play tactics than long ball ones. 

There is no doubting Agger's quality, and Kelly has undoubtedly been the most impressive youngster for Liverpool this season. He could be the replacement for Carragher that Liverpool has been searching for. 

With the academy starlets like Conor Coady and Andre Wisdom available to provide the injury prone couple ample cover, Liverpool might be more settled in the center of defense than most people believe. 

Raul Meireles has been a revelation since the arrival of Kenny Dalglish and has shown the form that impressed everyone at the World Cup. 

He also led the midfield in the absence of Steven Gerrard this season and could be a future Liverpool captain. If he stays till 2015, he would certainly be the top contender for the captain's armband. 

Jonjo Shelvey, the English U-19 captain is one of the brightest prospects in English football currently. He was being given a number of chances by Kenny Dalglish till he got injured. 

He impressed most people whenever he was given an opportunity to play in the first team and looks to be one of the players who could dominate the midfield for Liverpool for a long time to come. 

The prospective signing of Charlie Adam and the new deal that Lucas has signed, should be enough to have cover in the center of midfield.

Liverpool has been lacking a genuine winger since the departure of Luis Garcia. 

Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles or Steven Gerrard have been fulfilling the role of the attacking midfielder currently.

With Kuyt and Gerrard not expected to be there in 2015 and Meireles expected to move back to the center of midfield, the development of the highly promising Raheem Sterling remains a big hope for Liverpool. 

And Liverpool is also expected to be in the market for a couple of wingers, some of whom might be settled in the team by 2015.

One also hopes that Daniel Pacheco finally fulfills the promise that most people believe that he possesses. 

However, with the riches of strikers coming through the academy, one would not be too much if some of them develop into good wingers or attacking midfielders. 

Well, I guess the dealings in the January transfer window this year have ensured that Liverpool would not have to look at striker options for some time to come—provided Liverpool is able to hold on to both of the strikers.

Luis Suarez, in his brief time at Anfield has already shown that he has the ability to adapt to the Premier League, and he might be terrorizing defenses for a long time to come. 

Andy Carroll may be the perfect foil for Suarez as they might be able to form a striking partnership that Liverpool traditionally has been known for. 

With the talents like Suso and Adam Morgan also coming through the ranks at the Academy and the Reserves, the time might not be far that Liverpool is spoilt for choices at that position.

The team that Liverpool is expected to have in 2015 might be one that ends Liverpool's wait for that Premier League trophy. 

One does agree that 2015 is some time away and there might be many changes, both in the Liverpool team as well as the opposition by then. But to win the title, any team requires quality in all departments, and this prospective Liverpool team certainly has no dearth of that.

Some people might believe there will be different players at various positions, which they are encouraged to share.