Continuity key for Liverpool in quest for first Premier League title

Long-term injury absentees return to bolster Klopp’s options

LONDON, Aug 6, (RTRS): Many managers have spent big in their pursuit of glory, but Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp has adopted a different approach ahead of the new season, trusting his current crop to end the club’s long wait for a first Premier League crown.

In 2008, after Manchester United clinched a second straight league title, chief executive David Gill said: “I think it is the best league in the world and therefore if we want to continue being at the top we have to make sure we look at the squad, improve it.” United won the Champions League a few weeks later but still went on to splash the cash on Tottenham Hotspur’s Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov despite already possessing forwards Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Klopp’s approach is very different, with Liverpool having yet to make a major signing in this close season.

“Next year there will be another transfer window,” Klopp said. “This team is really good and we have invested a lot in it. Now we have to work with that.” The German is well within his rights to keep faith with his existing group of players. Before clinching a sixth Champions League crown in June, Liverpool had amassed 97 points last season – the third highest total in Premier League history.

They did all they could but relentless Manchester City beat them to the title by one point despite Liverpool losing only one league game all season – a scenario unlikely to be repeated.

Liverpool’s front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are feared across Europe, and a settled defence conceded fewer goals than any Pre