Jurgen Klopp insists only top-quality talent like new signings Naby Keita and Fabinho will be considered for his Liverpool squad this summer.
The £100million pair made their first appearances in a Red shirt, playing 45 minutes apiece in the 7-0 friendly win at Chester.
Keita, in particular, slotted in seamlessly after the break and created one goal with his counter-pressing.
Klopp said he was helped by the fact former club RB Leipzig play a similar style and it would take Fabinho longer to adapt as Monaco’s football was different.
How could Liverpool line up next season?
1/12 How will Liverpool line up next season?
Will a revitalised Reds be able to go one step further in the Champions League next season?
2/12 GK: Alisson
The less said about poor Loris Karius the better. Liverpool need a new ‘keeper and Roma’s Alisson is top of their list.
3/12 DR: Trent Alexander-Arnold
The teenager excelled last term and is only going to get better.
4/12 DC: Dejan Lovren
May come at risk of losing his place but Liverpool are likely to prioritise other areas of the pitch first.
5/12 DC: Virgil van Dijk
Such an important player for Liverpool and the bedrock of their new look side.
6/12 DL: Andy Robertson
One of the success stories of the 2017/18 season. Will keep improving.
7/12 MF: Fabinho
Liverpool’s new signing will add some much needed steel in midfield.
8/12 MF: Naby Keita
Liverpool supporters have been waiting so long to see this man in a Reds shirt. Unlikely to disappoint.
9/12 MF: Nabil Fekir
Jurgen Klopp’s top transfer target this summer. Although his price is likely to jump up and up if he has a good World Cup.
10/12 FW: Sadio Mane
Ended the season strongly and a key player.
11/12 FW: Roberto Firmino
An unsung hero last season. A key player for Liverpool on the quiet.
12/12 FW: Mohamed Salah
Well they’re not going to leave Salah out, are they?!
1/12 How will Liverpool line up next season?
Will a revitalised Reds be able to go one step further in the Champions League next season?
2/12 GK: Alisson
The less said about poor Loris Karius the better. Liverpool need a new ‘keeper and Roma’s Alisson is top of their list.
3/12 DR: Trent Alexander-Arnold
The teenager excelled last term and is only going to get better.
4/12 DC: Dejan Lovren
May come at risk of losing his place but Liverpool are likely to prioritise other areas of the pitch first.
5/12 DC: Virgil van Dijk
Such an important player for Liverpool and the bedrock of their new look side.
6/12 DL: Andy Robertson
One of the success stories of the 2017/18 season. Will keep improving.
7/12 MF: Fabinho
Liverpool’s new signing will add some much needed steel in midfield.
8/12 MF: Naby Keita
Liverpool supporters have been waiting so long to see this man in a Reds shirt. Unlikely to disappoint.
9/12 MF: Nabil Fekir
Jurgen Klopp’s top transfer target this summer. Although his price is likely to jump up and up if he has a good World Cup.
10/12 FW: Sadio Mane
Ended the season strongly and a key player.
11/12 FW: Roberto Firmino
An unsung hero last season. A key player for Liverpool on the quiet.
12/12 FW: Mohamed Salah
Well they’re not going to leave Salah out, are they?!
Asked what the pair will bring to the side, the Liverpool manager said: “Quality. It’s all good. You saw Naby comes from Leipzig and knows the football philosophy as it’s a similar one.
“He’s very sharp in the challenges, very quick in mind in these situations of counter-pressing, his impulses look kind of natural, which is good. Monaco played a completely different style, so Fabinho probably needs a few more days.
“But he’s a fantastic football player, a good passer, his challenges are good, a proper defensive midfielder with the option of being a number eight as well.
“If you want to be a part of our squad then you need to be good and these two boys are.”
Liverpool led 2-0 at half-time thanks a double from Wales international Harry Wilson but after the break Daniel Sturridge, who looked fit and sharp, scored twice, with Ryan Kent, James Milner (penalty) and Danny Ings completing the scoring.
Goalkeeper Loris Karius also had his first outing since his disastrous Champions League performance, where he was responsible for two of Real Madrid’s goals – with the club subsequently learning he had suffered a concussion.
The German made one good save, deflecting Jordan Archer’s shot over the crossbar and then late on in the first half did well to claim a high cross one-handed under pressure.
“It was a difficult save but he made that and it looked good and the high ball it was difficult,” added the Reds boss. “Many goalkeepers would have dropped it and then everyone would have been ‘Oh that happened’ and it starts again.
“I need cool down the whole situation and play football and work on our weaknesses, use our strengths and everything will be good.”
