---
title: "Carragher and Klopp hail Reds’ attacking options"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/carragher-klopp-hail-reds-attacking-options/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2016-08-13T07:53:24Z"
modified: "2016-08-13T07:53:24Z"
---

# Carragher and Klopp hail Reds’ attacking options

Liverpool’s wealth of attacking options will create a healthy competition which will propel the team forward this season, according to club legend Jamie Carragher.

The Reds’ already strong attack has been bolstered ahead of the new season by the arrival of Sadio Mane and Danny Ings’ long-awaited return to full fitness.

The pair will compete with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana for a place in the starting line-up, a battle which Carragher believes will ensure “nobody can rest on their laurels”.

“I don’t know if Daniel Sturridge will be the starting striker,” he told [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/29327/10530195/jamie-carragher-says-liverpool-dont-have-a-first-choice-striker). “Divock Origi played in a lot of the big games in Europe last season and has done well in pre-season.

“Sadio Mane is a very good signing. He can play in any of the four positions in attack and it looks like he will play on the right for Liverpool.

“They lacked pace and goals from those attacking midfield positions last year but his record suggests he will fix that.

“Roberto Firmino has been praised by Klopp as the player of pre-season and he likes him as a centre-forward, so there’s no number one striker at Liverpool.

“There’s three or four players going for one or two positions, which is a good thing for the team because nobody can rest on their laurels.

“The individuals would like to see themselves as first choice and relax a little bit, but this situation will keep them on their toes.”

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s season-opener against Arsenal at the Emirates, Klopp insisted that he would rotate strictly based upon form, and urged the players left out early on not to become disheartened.

“It’s about timing,” the German said. “If you are involved in a perfect game then it’s a good position to be in for the next game.

“I don’t make decisions three or four weeks in advance. Why should I? The quality I have there, we have to use.

“The players who won’t start must still be confident and feel they are an important part. They cannot feel we don’t care about them.

“It’s unlikely we will start with four or five strikers in one game, but if other players are injured, maybe we think about this.

“I have a clear idea about how we want to start.”

Christian Benteke, however, looks to be heading for the exit door, with both West Brom and Crystal Palace in talks with Liverpool over a move for the Belgian striker.

The Reds are having more difficulty in their attempts to offload Mario Balotelli, with Serie A side Chievo Verona the latest to enquire about the enigmatic forward.