Despite a mid-season wobble, Liverpool secured a long-awaited return to the Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on the final day last month, and Jurgen Klopp is now faced with the unenviable task of strengthening the squad in several key positions, as a much busier 2017/18 season awaits.
The extra demands of European football will require more player numbers but bringing in world-class talent that can transform the first team must be a priority for Klopp as he prepares for the initial wave of summer signings. During his time at Borussia Dortmund, the German was able to call on the likes of Mats Hummels, Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski; each among the very best in their respective positions.
Current playmaker Philippe Coutinho has arguably been Liverpool’s most influential player during Klopp’s tenure and he was recently named as one of the top ten in the world by 888sport, but his absence during the winter and the loss of Sadio Mane to the African Cup of Nations in January coincided with a disastrous run of just one win in ten games.
Klopp’s reliance on Mane, who enjoyed an incredible debut season, to work the channels and use his pace to stretch defences was again highlighted when the Reds struggled for goals after the Senegalese forward was ruled out in April due to a knee injury. Lean periods for Coutinho can also leave the team struggling for creativity.
To address these problems, Klopp could make a move for Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette, who is considered by many to be among the best strikers currently plying his trade in Europe. The Frenchman bagged 37 goals last season and while his £50 million price tag may cause issues, he could add a much-needed ruthless edge to Liverpool’s attacking play.
The club are also reportedly in talks with Sporting Lisbon over a deal for Gelson Martins, a highly rated young forward who provided 14 assists in Portugal’s top division last term. Interest in Roma’s tricky winger Mohamed Salah is ongoing but talks for the 24-year-old are believed to have stalled after the Serie A giants said they wanted more than £40 million for the player.
Klopp will also be desperate to address Liverpool’s ongoing defensive concerns. “It was a big problem under Brendan Rodgers and it doesn’t look like it has been rectified,” Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said last season. However, fans will be heartened by recent news that world-class centre-back Virgil van Dijk has reportedly rejected overtures from Chelsea and Manchester City in favour of a move to Anfield.
Whether Klopp can land the Dutchman will be a testament to the club’s desire to sign the very best players, as Southampton are believed to want up to £75 million. Van Dijk’s signature would be a major coup but additional targets need to be identified quickly if interest cools and further strength in depth added before August.
Fortunately, Liverpool’s desire to promote talented young players via the Talent Group initiative run by Pepijn Lijnders and Klopp’s excellent track record at bringing through wonder kids suggests a bright future for the club, even if substantial sums of money are not spent on readymade stars in the coming months. Ideally, Klopp will bring in the world-class players needed and use the growing pool of quality teenagers to ensure the club is fighting for honours on all fronts next year.
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