It has been a topsy-turvy season for Liverpool. They sacked a manager, before reaching two cup finals and finishing in eighth place in the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp has been able to input his ‘gengenpressing’ into the Liverpool squad, but currently they are not quite at the full throttle level he wants.
The Reds do have a good team, but some of their previous big money signings have not paid off, with the team lacking once more in key areas.
With the transfer mill well and truly going, the club has been linked with a host of young players as their strategy looks to be ‘buy young.’ So where should they strengthen?
Goalkeeper: Looks sorted with the signing of Karius
The Reds were linked with a host of different German goalkeepers. But Klopp did things swiftly and made the move for Loris Karius. The German signed from Mainz in a deal worth £4.7 million. He takes the number one shirt and will hopefully be pressurising the faltering Simon Mignolet.
The Reds haven’t gone for a big ‘name’ and have once more gone for youth. But the German stopper looks to be the right brand of player for Klopp and looks a very astute signing.
Defence: A left-back; maybe Chilwell?
Liverpool have once again suffered defensively this season. It seems as though neither Klopp nor Rodgers could find the best pairing between, Skrtel, Shako, Lovren and Toure.
However, Joel Matip completed his free transfer to Liverpool from Schalke. He will be the rock that Klopp needs. With Skrtel and Toure likely to leave, Klopp should have his centre back problems sorted.
The other problems in defence is at left-back. Alberto Moreno has seemed suspect since his initial move to England; very efficient going forward, but there are big question marks over his defensive capabilities.
Ben Chilwell has been linked to the club in a £7 million deal. But would a teenager really be what Liverpool needs?
Midfield: Mario Gotze, while Zielinski seems a fine prospect
The two big midfield names to be linked with Liverpool are Mario Gotze and Piotr Zielinski. Gotze is of course a World Cup winner with Germany and would be very much a marquee signing for Liverpool.
He has refused to comment on his future until after the Euros, it remains to be seen how much Carlo Ancelotti will want the midfielder.
Zielinski is a 22-year-old who impressed during a loan spell at Empoli. The midfielder banged in five goals and could be one for the future. A deal seems very much on the cards, with the Pole recently being picture wearing a Liverpool shirt.
Strikers: Alexandre Lacazette
With the return of Danny Ings, the club will have four strikers. Christian Benteke moved for big bucks last season, but that move doesn’t look to have paid off and the Belgian is a far cry from a Klopp type player. He will surely move on in the summer.
Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette was linked with Liverpool last summer and has been again this time around. The Frenchman is a speedster who has bagged 54 goals over the past two seasons. At 25, still has plenty of time to develop.
He would, however, cost big money as West Ham recently had a £30 million bid turned away.
Add to that: Ridding the club of its deadwood
There is no doubting that Liverpool do have a strong squad. But in order to be considered top four favourites once more they need a few top quality signings.
One thing that is crucial for Klopp is to get rid of some of the dead weight.
With no European competition this time around, there will be no need for such a large team.
Written by Edward Wade
Follow Edward on Twitter @wade_edward
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