LIVERPOOL
Big investment brings added pressure
Jurgen Klopp might not have the best of records in European Finals, having been beaten in three out of three at the helm of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, but he is quite clearly building something very special at Anfield.
In last season’s Champions League Final, which was their first appearance in the showpiece in 11 years, the Reds were more than a little unfortunate to lose to Real Madrid – when they were essentially undone by goalkeeping gaffes – and they have certainly strengthened in the transfer market this summer.
Splashing out some £164m on new faces, Klopp has addressed many of the team’s long-standing issues. Brazil number one Alisson, prised away from Roma, is one of the best in the world in his position, and they have enhanced their midfield depth with the arrival of box-to-box ace Naby Keita and Brazilian utility man Fabinho. Meanwhile, bullish Swiss wide-man Xherdan Shaqiri will give the side even more options in the attacking third.
The manager’s European game plan will be a carbon copy of the one he rolls out every week in the Premier League, combining a combustible blend of high energy, intense pressing and straight-forthe-jugular attacking play.
As for the biggest weapons in their armoury, it remains a toss-up between the magnificent front-line trident formed by Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, and the din stoked up at Anfield on a European night.
Is the arrival of Alisson the final piece in the back-line jigsaw?
While the Brazilian is undoubtedly a vast improvement on Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet, on the whole the Reds’ rearguard remains a work in progress. Croat stopper Dejan Lovren still has an unfortunate capacity for mistakes, while full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson – although impressive when going forward – can be defensively naive at times.
Will the increased expectations take a toll?
As a result of their appearance in the Final last season, and the summer spending spree, Klopp will be under far more pressure to deliver. Much of his motivational shtick has centred on playing the underdog, but that no longer applies and Liverpool are now there to be shot at.
How much of a blow was the failure to clinch a deal for Lyon and France playmaker Nabil Fekir?
Fekir would have been a sensation with his touch, imagination and sharpness. To compensate, Klopp might push the highly inventive Keita further forward.