While Liverpool's starting XI when everyone is fit is more or less clear, there are quite a lot of players finding themselves somewhat stuck at the club.
They are in a grey zone: they're not outrageously bad to the point of terminating their contracts (even Karius is capable of making spectacular saves) but they don't seem to have a future at Anfield.
This claim might be too harsh for a few players though.
Minamino has shown signs of improvement in the pre-season but Taki's adaptation is still taking too long. He can't be relied upon to make difference the way Mane and Salah do.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has hopefully left the injury hell past him but his form leaves more questions than answers, despite being injury-free since December.
James Milner has been an exemplary professional and his experience allows him to be used in almost any position on the pitch. But it became clear last season that Millie is no longer at the level required for the Reds.
And it's difficult to see a pathway to first-team football for the undoubtedly talented Ben Woodburn, with Jota and Firmino ahead of him. The same unfortunately applies to Neco Williams: he unlikely to get any game time with Trent ahead of him in the pecking order.
Karius; N Williams, Phillips, R Williams, Milner; Shaqiri, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Ojo; Woodburn, Origi
