Advertisement

Liverpool Fan View: Where Klopp must buy and sell this summer

Liverpool blogger Kevin McGuinness runs the rule zone-by-zone over the Reds and highlights where serious changes need to be made

Liverpool Fan View: Where Klopp must buy and sell this summer

Misery. Another season of hope for Liverpool fans, and, yet again, we’ve been left sorely disappointed ­ - League­-wise, anyway. The team we once enjoyed watching resorted back to their recent ways with performances that would shame even the most optimistic (and there are quite a few).

Understandably, most of us remain resolute that the good times are returning. With Jurgen Klopp in charge, you can sense the excitement. The Normal One has already shown signs of why he’s regarded as one of the best managers in the world. Abysmal performances have, unsurprisingly, soured the minds of a strange few, and, the first half of the season was rife with mediocrity.

However, these same people will, of course, neglect the fact Liverpool’s play has improved vastly this season. A top four finish may be over, but another gem in winning yet another European trophy remains a distinct possibility, and, with it, a place in next season’s Champions League.

Life between the sticks has been, quite literally, a nervy topic for countless seasons at Anfield. Scott Carson, Chris Kirkland and Jerzy Dudek all had their moments, especially the latter, but, most crucially, all were replaced.

Pepe Reina brought some respite to this chain of chaos, albeit being offloaded in the summer of 2013 on the back of a shaky season. His replacement, and current goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet has, all in all, had an awful campaign.

It’s of vital importance that the Belgium international be replaced as the undisputed number one, as mistakes continue to riddle his career. As for his understudy, Danny Ward, life seems promising after his successful stint with Scottish side Aberdeen. The Welshman enjoyed a fine debut in Liverpool’s win over Bournemouth and, already, has fans salivating over the possible prospect of a stable shotstopper.

Simon Mignolet has made too many errors
Simon Mignolet has made too many errors

The back line has long been the bane of Liverpool’s season. Throughout the 2013/14 season, in which a staggering 101 goals were scored, the defence seldom kept a clean sheet, conceding 50 goals ­ and only Spurs conceded more in the top six.

This season has seen promising signs at the back though. The ex-Southampton duo of Nathaniel Clyne and Dejan Lovren have stepped up, the latter enjoying a renaissance under Klopp and, at long last, delivering on his hefty price­tag.

Their comrades, however, haven’t been so bright. The void left by the departed Daniel Agger has yet to be filled. Although showing signs of promise, Mamadou Sakho has largely been inconsistent and after his recent fiasco of fat­burning pills, it’s looking more likelier by the minute that we won’t be seeing the fan favourite for a while, if ever again.

Being the second longest­-serving player in the current squad, you’d expect Martin Skrtel to be earning his paycheck, but this could not be any further from the truth. In the same boat as Mignolet, it is inconceivable to think the calamitous Slovakian will remain at Anfield next season. Fortunately, some relief was brought in during the last window in the form of Schalke and QPR centre ­halves

Joel Matip and Steven Caulker, albeit the latter will arrive in the summer, and youngster Joe Gomez is yet to return from his long­-term injury, but this by no means guarantees solidity.

Alberto Moreno has frailties in defence
Alberto Moreno has frailties in defence

It’s not just the core of the defence suffering, though. Left­ back Alberto Moreno looked to have been a steal at £12m from Europa League winners Sevilla, but, for the best part of his life in Merseyside, proved to be fairly inept at the back ­ frequently being caught out of position as he ventured forward.

Moreno is still young, however, and has shown signs he is still the player of old, so Klopp may well influence the young Spaniard in improving his defensive qualities.

Some targets have been rumoured as possible competition, but none more so than versatile full­ back Jonas Hector of Köln, who has been a consistent player in the Bundesliga. Hector, a valuable cog in Germany’s machine, has shown his expertise as a reliable utility man for the Billygoats by playing in midfield on several occasions. Given Liverpool’s lack of effectively consistent holding midfielders, signing the Cologne man will likely bring some much-needed flexibility to a side deprived of character.

There’s also the bonus of signing teammate Timo Horn, who has also demonstrated his effectiveness as a crucial player, and would almost certainly be an upgrade to Mignolet for a reportedly low fee.

Solving these problems will be no easy task and will likely remain a dilemma.

Throwing away the two­-goal lead against Newcastle meant Liverpool have now dropped 19 points from winning positions, ­ the most in the Premier League. You’d be forgiven for thinking this negates change up front, although it may not be as severe, it still requires work.

Liverpool come with a serious goal­scoring threat with the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Stoke and Everton  falling to our attacking expertise recently. Our striker options of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi are more than capable of firing us back to top four, provided they stay fit. Not to forget our other forwards ­.

Just like Joe Gomez, Danny Ings remains a forgotten man after his horror injury earlier in the season and has been eclipsed by the big-­money signing of Christian Benteke.

Klopp may wish to enquire about a few wingers, as lacking quality on the flanks remains something that needs to be sorted out if we are to get back among Europe’s elite. It’s likely Lazar Marković ­ on loan at Turkish giants Fenerbahce ­ will be given a real chance to show what he’s made of, following a disappointing season under Rodgers where he was infamously played at wing­back.

Despite Jordon Ibe’s poor season, there is some hype surrounding fellow academy player Sheyi Ojo. However, like his teammate, he is still raw and more experienced players may be in need.

Undoubtedly, change is needed, and players will be have to be brought in to give us a strong squad depth worthy of a European finish, but it is essential we don’t alter the team too much, as chemistry goes hand­in­hand with quality.