What would success look like for Liverpool this season?

When Jurgen Klopp was hired as Brendan Rodgers’ replacement by Liverpool last season his arrival at Anfield was seen as a landmark moment. A big club so often left on the peripheries of the big time for the past, the German was so keenly sought after to ensure their return to the top of the English game.

As is the case for every club in the Premier League, qualification for the Champions League is the platform that can facilitate that. By securing a place in European football’s premier club competition the Reds would be able to attract a higher caliber of player, using the additional revenue to operate on a higher tier of the transfer market. In the modern game that shimmering star ball means so much.

But with the Premier League set to be more competitive than ever Liverpool might need a new definition of success for Klopp. Under ordinary circumstances, the former Borussia Dortmund boss would be expected to deliver a top four place in his first full season in charge of the Anfield club. These are no ordinary circumstances, though.

England’s top-flight is currently as open as it has ever been, with as many as six different clubs all harbouring ambitions of mounting a title challenge this season. More than that have their sights set on Champions League qualification, with clubs like Everton, Southampton and West Ham all looking to establish themselves as truly elite sides.

Consequently, the potential for being squeezed out is great this season, particularly for Liverpool. They are most likely at the back of the pack chasing a top four place, with Klopp still imposing an identity on his team following his appointment last year. The Reds are a work-in-progress and this season might not see the full fruition of that progress.

It’s for this reason that Klopp must be afforded a higher degree of patience than would normally be the case. The distinctly open nature of the Premier League at present makes a jump up the table entirely possible, but that is also the same for every other side in England’s top flight. That competitiveness could work in their favour or it could work against them. Liverpool are just as likely to finish outside the top six as they are to finish the season as champions.

So if Liverpool indeed miss out on Champions League qualification for another season they must factor in the environment Klopp is working in. The Reds find themselves in something of a vicious cycle, in that they cannot attract the best and brightest talent without a top four spot and they cannot claim a top four spot without the best and brightest talent. It’s a difficult situation to escape.

While their rivals have made big moves in the transfer market this summer, Liverpool have made what can best be described as Liverpool-type signings. Their capture of Sadio Mane and Georginio Wiljnaldum will give them greater strength in depth, but they hardly compare to Manchester United’s signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Manchester City’s capture of Ilkay Gundogan or even Chelsea’s move for N’Golo Kante.

Liverpool are relying on Klopp making the best of what burgeoning talent he has, much like he did as manager at Borussia Dortmund. The Anfield club have a talented squad, that is in no doubt, but to match the likes of Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd and even Arsenal, they must show that they are more than the collective sum of their individual parts.

The six-year deal signed by Klopp earlier this month suggests the Anfield club understand that the German’s overhaul will take some time. But whether that patience materialises when things get tough, when progress is difficult to determine, is another matter. That will be the litmus test for what Klopp is attempting to achieve. That will determine whether the Reds, from those in the boardroom to those in the stands, are truly on board with the German’s project.

Liverpool are utterly desperate to once again become a predominant force in the English game and with Klopp in charge they stand a good chance of reaching that level. However, in the immediate term they might need a new definition for what constitutes success and failure. Because without one Klopp might not get the time he needs to see things through.