By now, most Premier League managers know at least seven or eight of their starting XI for the opening week of 2016-17. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is probably no different.

For the club's supporters, though, Klopp's opening day lineup is impossible to predict. There are so many individual battles going on, and competition for places is as intense as it's been in many a year.

One of the most intriguing duels is up front, where Klopp may have to choose between the proven quality of Daniel Sturridge and the excitement of youngster Divock Origi, who made great strides last season.

Of course, Klopp could save himself a difficult decision by starting both, but that seems unlikely on the opening weekend given the Reds face a difficult trip to Arsenal. In some of the less taxing fixtures -- particularly at home -- he may use the pair in tandem, but it's hard to imagine the manager being so bold at the Emirates.

The decision would have been an easy one in the not-so-distant past, but Origi, still just 21 years old, has made such a big leap in 2016 that it wouldn't be surprising if he got the nod. The former Lille man possesses attributes that are invaluable in tough away games against quality opponents like Arsenal: He's quick, strong, can hold the ball up and is willing to run in behind defenders and work the channels, which is exactly what is needed in games when you are under pressure for long spells and need a dangerous outlet.

Divock Origi could get the nod over Daniel Sturridge in Jurgen Klopp's starting XI. PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Yet Sturridge, 26, is as accomplished a goalscorer as any in England and also happens to be Liverpool's best player. A fully fit Sturridge is still the jewel in the Anfield crown, and you'd assume that he has to play when fit. Leaving him out against Arsenal would be a big call, but it's one that Klopp has made before.

Origi was preferred to Sturridge for some very important games last spring, and he justified his manager's faith emphatically, most notably when he found the net in both legs of the Europa League quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund. Prior to being sidelined by a horror challenge from Everton's Ramiro Funes Mori in the Merseyside derby last April, the young Belgian was beginning to look like a genuine star. Had he been fit enough to start the Europa League final against Sevilla, Klopp would have had a real dilemma in selecting his team that night.

In Origi's absence, Sturridge started the game and put the Reds in front with a goal of world class quality. Ultimately it counted for nothing, as the Merseysiders capitulated in the second half and lost 3-1. But it showed once again just what the England man is capable of -- he's unquestionably a fantastic talent.

Both Sturridge and Origi have looked sharp so far in preseason, and with two friendlies still to play before the big Premier League kickoff, each will have an opportunity to convince Klopp they should be the one to lead the line against Arsenal and beyond.

Daniel Sturridge is as accomplished a goalscorer as any in England and Liverpool's best player. Lars Baron/Getty Images

Sometimes clubs can struggle to keep two top strikers happy, whether it's because they aren't suited to play together or because the manager prefers to use only one up front. Liverpool have experienced both situations in the past; In the late 1980s, John Aldridge and Ian Rush were goalscorers supreme, but they were rarely on the pitch at the same time because Peter Beardsley was seen as the better foil for both and the man who gelled everything together. Something had to give, and eventually Aldridge departed with a heavy heart to Real Sociedad.

In more recent times, Peter Crouch found himself out in the cold after the arrival of Fernando Torres, who operated best as a lone forward. Crouch had become an important player for club and country at that time, but the arrival of Torres signalled the end of his time at Anfield, as Rafa Benitez rarely deviated from his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Crouch and Torres had such vastly contrasting styles that, under different circumstances, they may have dovetailed well given the opportunity, but Benitez only used one striker and that was always going to be Torres, so Crouch moved on. What Rush, Aldridge, Torres and Crouch all have in common is they are (or were) No. 9 players who could not fill any other role.

It's possible a similar situation will eventually develop with Origi and Sturridge, particularly with Klopp having no need for squad rotation this year given the lack of Champions League or Europa League football, but the major difference this time is that not only are both players flexible enough to play in other positions, they have already shown that they can work as a pair if given the opportunity.

If Klopp insists on playing with one striker, he could still include both in his team; Sturridge can play in a withdrawn role (he has also occasionally played wide, although it's not something he enjoys) and Origi is capable of playing on the wing. This versatility gives Klopp options, but both players are at their best when playing as central strikers, so it will be interesting to see how often they get the chance to play as a pair this season and where they'll lineup when they do.

There will no doubt be times when Klopp has to choose between Sturridge and Origi, but Liverpool's best hope for success this season may depend on whether the manager can find a way to get both of his talented goalscorers on the field at the same time without unbalancing his system too much.