The summer transfer window is hugely anticipated among Liverpool fans. It’s the first real opportunity for Jurgen Klopp to begin to reshape the side and build them towards the style of football he wants to play.
Although already at the club during the January transfer window the German opted just to recall a couple of young players on loan and bring in Steven Caulker, also on loan, as cover for the centre half positions. The only permanent deal Klopp concluded was to bring in Marko Grujic from Red Star Belgrade, but the young midfielder then returned on loan to the club to see out the remainder of the Serbian season.
Since January an agreement for Joel Matip has been confirmed to see the Schalke defender sign on a free this summer, but it’s widely expected that this is only the beginning of the former Dortmund manager’s transfer dealings this coming window.
There’s plenty of rumours already beginning to circulate and so here at FootballFanCast, we bring you FIVE positions that Liverpool should strengthen this summer.
Goalkeeper
If Liverpool don’t sign a new goalkeeper it’ll be one of the shocks of the transfer window.
Simon Mignolet, albeit a good shot stopper, is not good enough for Liverpool. Unfortunately the Belgian always seems to have a mistake in him – he flaps at crosses and struggles when the ball is played to his feet. Time and again this season we’ve seen the lack of authority from Mignolet spread into the defence to the despair of the watching Reds faithful and sustained success is not going to be based on a back four that evidently can’t trust its ‘keeper.
Left Back
Liverpool’s squad look short of good left backs. Jon Flanagan has played there but is limited by wanting to use his right foot. Alberto Moreno is left footed but has shown on more than one occasion he lacks the defensive discipline and timing of a challenge to be a top class full back. Meanwhile Joe Gomez, who started there at the start of the year is primarily a central defender and as for Jose Enrique, who’s somehow earned a substantial living for playing video games and going on holiday, has been released.
Centre Half
The only nailed on first choice centre half currently at the club is Dejan Lovren, and who’d have thought that twelve months ago?
Of course Matip is coming in and is expected to play, but if he has trouble settling in like the aforementioned Croatian did, Liverpool could be in trouble. Mamadou Sakho is set to be banned for a lengthy period, Martin Skrtel seems to be out of favour with Klopp and Kolo Toure’s future remains undecided. Joe Gomez will be back from his lengthy injury lay off, but is very young to be a first choice Premier League player in this position and Liverpool would be foolish to not add to this area.
Winger
The Reds lack width. The only out and out wide player with decent Premier League experience in the squad is Jordon Ibe who has yet to hold down a starting berth. It remains to be seen if Sheyi Ojo becomes the player Liverpool are expecting him to be, but it would be unfair to expect so much from a player who won’t turn 19 until next month. It’s another position Liverpool look short of top class experience in, and Klopp might not just stop at getting one wide-man in.
Striker
On his day Daniel Sturridge is a world class striker. When he’s fit he terrorises defences with his pace, trickery and lethal finishing and although he’s beginning to shake off the injury record that has plagued him this term, there’s inevitably going to be question marks for some time to come. In terms of back-up Christian Benteke is more than likely going to be leaving after a difficult year, Divock Origi looks promising but still has much to learn and Danny Ings looked like he was going to be a good signing for Liverpool before his injury, so only time will tell if he can carry that form on.
The Anfield side need another world-class forward to help share the burden placed on Sturridge and would become a much more potent threat if they could get one in.