Now we’re around a third of the way through the season, and with the January transfer window fast approaching, it would seem like the ideal time to take a look at some of the highs, and the lows, so far to see what can be done to build an even stronger Liverpool team going forward.
On the domestic front highlights have probably been the 4-0 defeat of Arsenal in the third match of the season as well as strong performances against some of the league’s weaker teams like West Ham and Southampton. But, unfortunately there have been a fair number of lowlights too. We won’t dwell on the treatment by Man City or even Spurs on the ill-fated trip to Wembley in October but one defeat that really stung many fans, not to mention Klopp, was being knocked out of the League Cup by Leicester. In a season when he really could do with winning some silverware here’s hoping Klopp will field some more experienced sides in the FA Cup.
Internationally the highs have greatly outweighed the lows with a great victory over Maribor being the real highlight. And, in terms of skills on display, Emre Can’s goal in the home leg against Hoffenheim has surely never been bettered.
In terms of other players who have excelled over the season so far, Alberto Moreno, Phillipe Coutinho and Sadio Mane have stood out, as has Roberto Firmino who’s done well to secure his place as the go-to No.9 and whose four goals and seven assists to date belie his contribution to the team.
However some players have certainly failed to live up to promise or potential and this is one of the reasons why 888sport have Liverpool at 50/1 to win the league.
But, as they say, there’s always next season and January could be the perfect time for Klopp to be strengthening the squad for 2018/19.
Most would agree that the defence is one area that certainly needs to be bolstered and players that could be on the way out could include Dejen Lovren and Joel Matip. It’s a fairly well-known fact that Klopp is definitely interested in Southampton’s Virgil van Djik as well as Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez for a centre back role. What could well be the deciding factor could be the cost, Gimenez’s transfer to Arsenal in the summer was scuppered by the £56 million cost while van Dijk’s transfer fee is thought to now be about £70 million.
But the biggest question of all concerns Emre Can. He’s out of contract next summer so may well start negotiations with other teams in January. Replacing such a key team member is vital and there’s one player hotly tipped to be in the frame. Schalke’s German international Leon Goretzka has scored six goals in his last nine outings for the national side and would seem like a good, if expensive, solution at an estimated £62 million.
Of course, this is all speculation at this stage and a great deal, or not very much, can always happen in January. But many believe that Klopp is going to have to be proactive and far-sighted if he wants to build even greater success.
