Liverpool Dream Team preview: Top stars, smart options & potential flops

LIVERPOOL have replaced Arne Slot with Andoni Iraola and club legend Mohamed Salah has moved onto pastures new. It feels like another reset for the Reds and most Dream Team managers will be fascinated to see how they fare once the campaign begins; let’s run through their top stars, smart options and potential flops. PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW: £100,000 PRIZE POT! A formidable Dream Team asset Credit: Getty TOP STARS Only Erling Haaland (£8.5m) earned more points than Dominik Szoboszlai (£6m) last season. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! That’s all gaffers need to know really but there’s no harm recapping the Hungarian No8’s numbers: 13 goals, 11 assists, 58 bonus points, 83 tackles. It seems Alexander Isak (£6m) is still partially hampered by the leg break he suffered just before Christmas but we still consider him a top-tier option when available. The 26 year-old striker bagged 20+ league goals in each of his last two seasons with Newcastle before his high-profile transfer to Anfield. Liverpool are due to face the Magpies plus Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Fulham and Bournemouth before the first international break — Isak will feel confident of a bright start to remind everyone of his pedigree. Florian Wirtz’s (£5m) first season in English football didn’t quite go to plan but his potential remains very high. At this stage, it seems likely Iraola will encourage the German playmaker to exhibit his creative flair at No10 with Szoboszlai fulfilling a deeper role. Most read in Football Wirtz registered 16 goal involvements during his bedding-in season, we’re expecting him to notch 20+ this time around. Liverpool are not short of talent Credit: Reuters SMART OPTIONS Milos Kerkez (£4.5m) is not a bargain selection but we’re including him in this section because his current ownership of 1.7% makes him a massive differential. Despite an uneven showing last season, we’re quite keen on the left-back now he has been reunited with Iraola. Kerkez made his name at Bournemouth with a succession of rampaging performances under the Spanish tactician and so there’s every reason to be hopeful of a steep upturn in 2026/27. Ibrahima Konate has been replaced with Jeremy Jacquet (£4m) and Liverpool’s new No5 will partner Virgil van Dijk (£5m) at the heart of defence. The 21-year-old Frenchman is a smart option for the simple reason that he is likely to be the cheapest member of the first-choice back four. Ronald Araujo (£4m) is a potential threat to Jacquet’s minutes but the latter is expected to start higher in the pecking order. Rio Ngumoha (£3.5m) is an asset to monitor closely. The young winger, categorised as a midfielder in Dream Team, is an exciting talent who could earn a starting spot this season. Iraola made liberal use of teenagers Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan last term and is therefore unlikely to shy away from Ngumoha’s youthful exuberance if he feels that’s what the team needs. Play Dream Team this season! £100,000 in prize money up for grabs in 2026/27 Free to enter Play in Mini Leagues against your mates £60,000 jackpot for the overall winner £1,000 prize for winning Gameweek 1 PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW! This could be Ngumoha’s breakout season Credit: AFP POTENTIAL FLOPS At risk of being proved spectacularly wrong, we have serious reservations about Virgil van Dijk (£5m). The commanding Dutchman was the outright best centre-back in the world at his peak but at 35 years old he is a fading force and Liverpool’s defence has deteriorated as a result. It’s not that Van Dijk is a bad option, his set piece threat is a very useful attribute, but there are better alternatives at cheaper prices. Alexis Mac Allister (£3.5m) may have to settle for a comparatively reduced role this season. The Argentina international’s form dipped in 2025/26 and many Liverpool fans are calling for a midfield three of Ryan Gravenberch (£4m), Szoboszlai and Wirtz. Lastly, consider this a reminder that Hugo Ekitike (£5m) is unlikely to return until 2027 as he recovers from an Achilles rupture. The ex-Frankfurt forward impressed from the get-go last season and he would be among the top stars if available but the 4.2% of Dream Team bosses who have selected him (at the time of writing) are making a major mistake. Open to residents of UK and Rep of Ireland, 18+ only. T&Cs apply. How to claim £30 in football free bets Midnite offer Download the Midnite app or create an account online HERE* Register using the code: BETGET30 Deposit a minimum of £10 Place a £10 sportsbook bet at minimum odds of 1/1 Free Bets will be credited upon settlement of your qualifying bet Comment now