Liverpool - 2016/7
So I want to try and do a few things here. I want to assess various areas of the squad, see what I think of the transfers in and who is still to come in (and ideally who I would like to see come in), as well as generally reasons for optimism ahead of the 2016/7 season. So let's start with goalkeepers...
Goalkeepers:
Well Liverpool have undeniably strengthened in the goalkeeping department. The introduction of young and upcoming German goalkeeper Loris Karius represents a smart signing from Jurgen Klopp. Having spent the last five years at Mainz, where he's been number one choice in goal for the last two seasons, Karius was widely recognised as one of the top keepers in the Bundesliga last season, behind only Manuel Neuer and the likes of Leno. He's a young and exciting keeper who represents a step up in the keeping department. Whether or not he'll adapt quickly to the Premier League is a fair question, but getting a lot of game time in pre-season with Klopp's first choice central defensive pairing will help him settle. And at 23, and costing less than £5m, he's got plenty of time to improve. And having Simon Mignolet still around as a second choice keeper is smart, Mignolet is a proven Premier League keeper and not a bad shot stopper, although he's very error prone. I would at the least feel comfortable knowing that if something happens to Karius, we're not down to Adam Bogdan *shudders*. Bogdan is expected to leave, but Wales' keeper Danny Ward, who showed promising signs when called upon for LFC this season, has been given a long term deal and is currently gaining experience in the Championship, on loan at Huddersfield.
Overall, considering that goalkeeper was one of, if not, Liverpool's weakest area last season, I'm very happy that Klopp has brought in a bright new keeper to replace Mignolet as his first choice. Hopefully Karius proves a good signing.
Defenders:
Defence is an area that Liverpool are still short on, alarmingly so in some areas. With Martin Skrtel shipped out to Fenerbache (thank God), and Kolo Toure's contract not renewed (a shame but probably the right call), Liverpool have brought in Joel Matip from Schalke to replace them, alongside the strong pairing of Sakho and Lovren, and youngster Joe Gomez. Now as I've made clear in other places, I like Sakho a lot. I think he has the makings of a world class central defender. And Lovren has really turned a corner under Klopp. Those two, plus Matip, who I'm hoping will also be able to impress, represent a good three center backs. Naturally, a lot is going to hinge on Matip. We know about Lovren and Sakho, their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately, they are a very good pairing. Liverpool only lost two league games when those two played together, and Liverpool look so much more stable at the back with those two playing, compared to how they looked with Skrtel playing. But at 24, and highly regarded in Germany, Matip is shaping up similar to Karius. He's young, exciting, well regarded to be just below the top tier and hopefully ready to make a step up. The question is just whether or not he can adapt to the Premier League, and again, having him build a relationship with Lovren in pre-season will be critical.
The main question mark is whether Liverpool need another CB. With both Gomez and Sakho having disrupted pre-seasons through injuries, as Sakho has picked up a knock and Gomez has suffered a setback, not to mention Sakho's ridiculous clash with UEFA, it's looking increasingly like Liverpool will dip into the market for an experienced stop gap of a central defender to keep them ticking over this season while Gomez develops and to fill in in case of injuries. Dante would be a great signing if LFC could pull it off and naturally I'd be very happy with that, but I'm not convinced we need such a big name. As embarrassing as it would be, I wouldn't be opposed to another year long contract for Kolo Toure, but I can see why the club would want to avoid that. Subotic would have been another option but he's already off to Boro. Either way, expect to see an experienced Bundesliga defender come into the side before the start of the season.
And the full back areas see Liverpool similarly struggling, particularly in terms of depth. Nathaniel Clyne represents the first time Liverpool can be certain about the right back position for a long time, but only Jon Flanagan and Connor Randall are behind him in that position. Likewise on the other flank, Liverpool do look like they're going to sign a left back as Brad Smith is the only man behind Alberto Moreno. I would personally like to see a left back signed who isn't simply a second choice to Moreno, but someone who will at least be challenging Moreno, if not starting ahead of him, given that he's probably the weakest member of our starting eleven. Obviously Jonas Hector is the one I want, but I'm curious to see who LFC bring in.
Midfielders:
Liverpool are still in the market for a central midfielder and that's understandable. Lucas looks to be heading out, Joe Allen's Liverpool career looks increasingly like it will soon be over and young Marko Grujic is a good young signing but not the finished article. At the moment, it looks as if Klopp is looking to play with a double pivot, two similar players who can defend and attack in equal measure, two box to box midfielders who understand each other, can cover each other when needed. So when one bombs forward, the other drops in to cover, etc. And right now, you would say that Emre Can and Jordan Henderson are perfect for this role. Can has come on leaps and bounds under Klopp, and looks to be a top class central midfielder in waiting. And Henderson has taken a lot of stick from Liverpool fans and people outside the club this season, despite not actually doing a whole lot wrong, although he was unable to reach his full potential due to injuries. Liverpool didn't lose a single game last season when these two were able to play the double pivot, and hopefully they can continue to play well together.
Behind Can and Henderson, I really like the look of young Grujic, he's a powerful, strong and aggressive central midfielder and he certainly fits the mold of a Can or Henderson type. Lucas will be gone most likely, but Joe Allen offers something different if he stays at the club, a little more technical ability and he works hard, but he has less strength and power. I wouldn't mind Allen staying but I also wouldn't be opposed to him leaving. Either way, he'll be a bit-part player at most. So Liverpool need another central midfielder. Dahoud was obviously the main target but as Xhaka is at Arsenal now, Gladbach won't want to sell both of their central midfielder partnership in one window. So it remains to be seen who is out there for Liverpool to snap up, it'll be a young box to box midfielder. Mateo Kovacic would be an excellent signing in that position, or Ruben Neves, both of whom have been linked softly with LFC.
In terms of attacking midfielders, this is clearly Liverpool's strongest area. Milner is a very versatile player, who can fill in in central midfield but also offers a wide option, both on the left and right. He's an excellent passer and crosser of the ball, but also tracks back and is a fine option to have. The main three attacking midfielders last season for Liverpool, however, were Firmino, Coutinho and Lallana, They combine well, they're all class players and they all offer excellent options. All three can play centrally, but Liverpool have opted for Lallana from the right and Coutinho drifting in from the left. With Jordon Ibe moving on to Bournemouth, that means that the main youth option will be Sheyi Ojo, who impressed Klopp with his displays towards the end of the season.
And of course the main addition to the attacking midfield options in the squad is Saido Mane from Southampton. Once you get past the inflated price and the fact that it's another Southampton signing, two things which irritated Liverpool fans, Mane is a terrific signing from Jurgen Klopp and offers something completely different. Lallana, Firmino and Couts are all very similar players, but Mane is a much more direct and pacey option who will look to beat players, break into the box and score goals. Between Coutinho, Lallana, Firmino, Milner and Mane, this is a very exciting time to be a Liverpool fan.
Strikers:
Another area of real potential and excitement. First things first, the outgoings. Mario Balotelli looks set to leave the club permanently, if Liverpool can find an Italian club willing to take him. His career looks dead in the water after a shocking loan spell at Milan, on top of a shoddy display at LFC in 2014/15. Christian Benteke also looks to be on his way out of the club, having scored 10 goals last season but struggled to get settled in this team. Truthfully, I see Benteke similarly to Allen, he's at best a bit part player in this side and I'm happy whether he stays or goes.
In terms of those staying, there's lots to be excited about. Daniel Sturridge, if he stays fit, will be a serious golden boot contender, as he should be. He's a top, top striker, nuff said. Away from Sturridge, the most exciting up and coming talent is of course Divock Origi, who had a terrific few months under Klopp at the back end of last season and is a real workhorse, as well as a goalscorer. And then of course there's Danny Ings, whose Liverpool career was sadly put on hold by a serious injury last October, but still seems like a really good option for this Liverpool side. Three really good goal scoring options, so I don't think Liverpool need to bring anyone in. In terms of options, Firmino can also play a false nine, as he has in pre-season and Liverpool also have the option to go 4-4-2 and play both Sturridge and Origi together.
Overall:
So overall, I'm very happy with the current state of Liverpool's squad. I would like to see them doing exactly what they look like they're going to do, which is bring in a central defender, a central midfielder and a left back, but other than that I can't see too many more incomings. Those that have come in so far, Mane, Karius, Grujic and Matip, are all big improvements on those that they're replacing: Skrtel, Ibe, Lucas and Mignolet. In terms of formation, Klopp has options. He can play the 4-2-3-1 with options in every position; can opt for a 4-3-3 and drop Milner into central midfield; and he has the diamond at his disposal too. So options, quality and improvement in all the necessary areas make me hopeful for this season.
Here's my best XI:
Karius; Clyne, Matip, Sakho, Moreno; Can, Henderson; Mane, Firmino, Coutinho; Sturridge
But as I said above, we have options now, and the likes of Lovren, Lallana, Milner and Origi will be pushing for a starting place. So I'm very optimistic about what Klopp can do this season, especially with no Europe.
The Hard and Fast Section
- England have played sloppy shots. Sloppy. Shots.
- Stenson and Mickleson running away with it. Tasty.
- LFC in action again today. Coutinho is so good.
- Kyle Edmund does the job in the Davis Cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment