Klopp’s laid it on line for his stars... and MUST be backed with transfer cash
also had two full seasons in the first team at Anfield, so, really, he can’t hide behind the promising tag any more.
Another thing that Klopp said recently really stood out for me.
He reckoned it would be impossible for Liverpool to break even in the transfer market this summer... they will definitely make signings – and it could be as many as six or seven.
That tells me he wants the board to back him for a big summer and the owners seem happy to back his judgement and spend money in the transfer market.
There is a need. On paper they have Champions League football in their own hands with what looks like a straightforward run-in, and no distractions from other competitions, like most of their big rivals have. Of course, that could be the problem. Because their remaining fixtures – largely against the clubs from the bottom half of the table – have often been their downfall this season. Even if they make it, and they have got a better team than anyone on their day, I still think they will need a fair few new signings to increase the strength and depth of a squad that has looked a bit thin this season. You look at the match-day 18 and there are always a lot of kids on the bench. They do an OK job and, clearly, have earned their place with the first team, but you won’t get a full season out of them and it’s a bit much to ask them to come on and change games. However, that’s what a bench at a top-class club must do now. There must be gamechangers to bring on. Liverpool’s squad is relatively bare, but to compete in the Premier League and the Champions League you need the bench to be unbelievable. That will take some big signings. They are a young team and that means inconsistency, so they need more experience. Not 30-year-olds, or players at the end of their careers, but a few 25-year-olds who have been around and can give a bit more competitive edge.
For me, one of the biggest signings they need is an out-and-out forward to provide a focal point on the pitch at times. Don’t get me wrong, I know how Klopp plays and he doesn’t always want that in his system – and Liverpool being top scorers backs that to a certain extent.
Yet you can’t hide from the fact they have too often come unstuck this season against some of the smaller clubs, who defend deep.
And to counter that, you need to improve in final third and move the ball a bit more quickly – instead of a striker in front of the defence, they need a forward to play off the shoulder to get in behind and stretch defences.
Daniel Sturridge used to do that, but hasn’t for the past couple of seasons.
It will cost big money, of course, to buy that sort of striker to fit at the level Liverpool require – world class. But, for me, it’s the right kind of investment to take them on the step they need.
Studying what he has said in recent weeks, the manager seems to agree with that. So these are a massive few months for Liverpool – ahead of what will be a huge summer for the club.
One of the biggest signings an they need is out-and-out forward