The 2015/16 season was one of mixed emotions for Liverpool fans.
Since Jurgen Klopp took charge in October 2015, we have seen The Reds reach two cup finals, but have a below average run in the league, probably due to the concentration on the cups.
Klopp’s first summer transfer window is fast approaching, and the German is expected to be bringing a lot of new faces in to go with the three men he has already acquired; German goalkeeper Loris Karius, athletic central defender Joel Matip and young Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic.
In this article I will be explaining my thoughts as to the other areas where Liverpool should improve this summer.
Defence
It’s clear to see that the goalkeeper position is now sorted, with Karius expected to take the starting place of Simon Mignolet, who most Liverpool fans have been begging to replace for quite some time. The same can be said about left-back Alberto Moreno.
The Spaniard put in mixed performances last season but he did show in the Europa League final that he is not the player Liverpool need at left back.
The Reds have been linked with German Jonas Hector, a man who has played 12 times for Germany, which is no mean feat for a 25-year-old.
Hector would be a welcome addition to the squad and help the defence move away from the shaky reputation they had this season.
In terms of central defence, Liverpool have two very solid options in new signing Joel Matip and Mamadou Sakho. Dejan Lovren has shown bravery and composure towards the end of the season and, in my opinion, will provide suitable cover for Matip and Sakho.
At right back, there is no need for any change as Nathanial Clyne was in good, if not great, form all year and has done enough to book a seat on a flight to France for the Euros, where he will fight for a place in the England team with Kyle Walker.
Karius and Matip were both nominated in their respective positions for the Bundesliga team of the season (as well as Jonas Hector) and despite not getting in the team, it shows they have played well enough this year to be able to slot into the Liverpool side.
Midfield
One midfielder has already signed a deal for Liverpool. Grujic is a young, tireless Serbian youth international but is unlikely to fit straight into the Liverpool side straight away, due to his age, so it is very possible that Klopp and the transfer committee will search for a more experienced central midfielder in the window.
In recent days, the Merseyside club have been linked with yet another Bundesliga player, this time German Mahmoud Dahoud, who is a similar age to Grujic, but has experience of playing regular football in one of Europe’s best leagues after playing 32 times for Borussia Monchengladbach alongside Arsenal bound Granit Xhaka.
For me, this is a risky signing as the current midfield is a very young one, with 22 and 25 year olds Emre Can and Jordan Henderson.
Klopp is going through a transitional stage with Liverpool and is building for the future, so Dahoud is a name Liverpool fans may see on the back of shirts next season, but it is unlikely he will come cheap after the recent sale of Xhaka leaves Borussia Monchengladbach with a big hole to fill in central midfield.
A position that Liverpool lack depth is on the wing, with Jordon Ibe the only real first team player, and even he is expected to leave this summer. Despite the Reds not often playing with wide players, it is still a position that Liverpool need to strengthen.
Lazar Markovic will be returning from his loan deal at Fenerbahçe in the summer and will provide suitable cover, but the team lacks that match winning winger, and we hope Jurgen will invest in one in the summer.
In terms of attacking midfielders, we are strong and need no improvement. Both Brazilians Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho have shown this season that they are good enough to play for Liverpool, and Adam Lallana has been in good enough form to push them for a starting place.
Strikers
Liverpool have utilized many forwards this season with Daniel Sturridge playing 14 Premier League games, Cristian Benteke playing 29 games, with over half of them coming off the bench, and fellow Belgian Divock Origi playing 16 games. This is down to the amount of injuries that were suffered by the Liverpool attackers throughout the season.
In my opinion, Cristian Benteke should be offloaded this summer, as he is most effective playing in a team using a wide formation, a system Liverpool rarely use.
I believe Klopp should look to bring in a new attacker to battle with Sturridge and Origi for the starting place, a striker that is a proven goal scorer in a top European league.
If Klopp has a successful transfer window, both bringing in new players and offloading those them that are surplus to requirements, Liverpool have the potential to push for the top four next season, meaning a return to Champions League football for the Reds.
