After a whirlwind weekend, those associated with Liverpool Football Club could have been forgiven for craving some time for reflection.
The modern-game, however, does not stop for sentiment and less than 48 hours after their emotionally-draining Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, the Reds proved that they were had already shifted focus to next season by announcing the signing of AS Monaco’s Fabinho for a fee of up to £43.7million.
The Brazilian utility man, who can play in midfield or defence, was expected to be heading to Manchester United, but in the blink of an eye, a pacey set of events has seen the 24-year old announced as a player for rivals Liverpool.
Fabinho will join Naby Keita, who signed for the Reds last summer, on July 1st.
After a busy start to the transfer window, there is a growing feeling that we could be seeing a very new-look Liverpool side in comparison to the line-up in Kiev.
Billy Cundall examines how Klopp might use the transfer window to transform his side into genuine title contenders.
Formation
A season of relative success has seen Liverpool come into their own since the turn of the year. A high-intensity press combined with incredible pace in attack has drawn praise from admirers across the planet. Their dismantling of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League helped change the opinion of Liverpool back to one of Europe’s elite.
Their 4-3-3 false-nine approach allows two wide forwards space to exploit their front line’s magnificent speed and devastating finishing. It is tough to see Klopp straying far from this approach for the start of the 2018/19 season, and so it can be assumed that any transfer activity will be made with that style in mind.
Goalkeeper
There is not much more to say about German goalkeeper Loris Karius.
The 24-year old had a night to forget in Kiev, essentially gifting the Spanish giants two goals and the Champions League trophy after dismal mistakes. The shot-stopper seemed to have found consistency at the end of the campaign, but after the final on Saturday, it’s hard to imagine a route back to the number one spot.
Another player who is not unfamiliar to goalkeeping criticism is Simon Mignolet. The Belgian impressed massively in his stint at Sunderland, but after five years at Anfield, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that Mignolet will ever reclaim the number one spot again. After a series of mistakes made time and time again, Klopp opted for Karius, which does not spell optimism for any chance of a resurgence for the 30-year old Belgian to start next year.
A whole spectrum of options have been bartered around since Karius’ howlers and, with Mignolet the only back-up, it is becoming increasingly likely that Klopp will turn to the market to find his new number one. Another goalkeeper who has been linked with a move to Liverpool is Alison Becker, who is 5/2 to head to Anfield this summer.
After drawing plaudits from across Europe and South America for his performances, the Roma stopper has even gone on to keep Manchester City’s Ederson out of the Brazilian national team. The Reds could try to prize the keeper from the Italian outfit, but even with a hefty bid, Roma are insistent that the 25-year old is going nowhere.
Jack Butland is a man who will be eager to orchestrate a move away this summer, after suffering relegation with Stoke. The England international will be hoping to impress in Russia at this summer’s World Cup, and Anfield could be a destination that suits both parties. The 25-year old is odds-on with Sky Bet to join the Reds this summer.
Other options include Atletico’s Jan Oblak, however Liverpool would face stiff competition for the Slovenian, with a host of top clubs reportedly pursuing his services. Nick Pope would also provide a youthful alternative to the Reds’ goalkeeping woes, but his lack of experience may deter Klopp from a potential transfer.
Predicted GK: Alisson
Defence
After a fairly stable performance against one of Europe’s most threatening attacking forces in the Champions League final, Klopp’s back line finally looks to be somewhat settled. The emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made a late charge to make Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad, paired with the mass improvement of Scotland’s Andrew Robertson, has seen the Reds’ full-back positions appear to be sorted. Pair those two with James Milner, Alberto Moreno and new-boy Fabinho, who can also operate in those areas, and Liverpool look to be set.
In what will probably be a back four, the two centre back positions will be pivotal in any potential success, and the £75m signing of Virgil Van-Dijk has seemingly transformed Liverpool into a solid defensive unit, who look commanding in the air and cultured on the ball.
Much-criticised Dejan Lovren also did himself no harm with a huge upturn in form in the second half of the season. Klopp heaped praise on the Croatian, explaining how the 28-year old had all the tools necessary to be world class, if only he could channel his concentration. However, if a Premier League title is what they are after, then maybe another marquee centre-half will be what they require to make the step up.
Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles has been linked with the Reds after a stellar season with the Magpies, and is at 3/1 to make the trip over to Merseyside. Other options rumoured have been Burnley’s Ben Mee and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, although the latter would command an incredible price tag in order to lure him from Naples.
Predicted Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lascelles, Robertson
Midfield
Perhaps the most ambivalent area of the Liverpool team is their midfield.
Despite a magnificent display of energy in their defeat of Manchester City, and a respectable battle with the Galacticos in Europe, Klopp’s midfield looks all set to change for the 2018/19 season. The signings of Fabinho and Keita have thrown major doubt into their starting engine room next year.
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain was fantastic before his injury, and one would presume captain Jordan Henderson would be a staple starter for the club, but with an influx of signings, including the potential deal of Nabil Fekir from Lyon, it is hard to imagine how Klopp is going to fit them all in. Throw James Milner into the equation, who drew praise for his consistent performances and record-breaking Champions League campaign, and you have the recipe for a headache.
Georginio Wijnaldum enjoyed a notable end to the season; but after a huge cash sum was paid for Keita, it’s hard to not see him in contention for a starting place.
Predicted midfield: Henderson, Keita, Fabinho
Attack
The easiest section of the predicted line-up comes from the attacking line.
Salah, Mane and Firmino enjoyed incredible seasons both individually and collectively. The trinity broke the record for most goals scored by a front three in Champions League history, and it would be hard to imagine Klopp wanting to stray from the trio for the upcoming campaign.
However, with the Reds reportedly closing in on Fekir, the Frenchman could offer an interesting alternative to Firmino in the false-nine position. An injury to any of the starters could open up an opportunity for a newcomer, but as for now, the clinical front-three look set to return to the starting line-up next term.
Predicted attack: Salah, Firmino, Mane
Full line-up prediction:
GK: Alisson
DF: Alexander-Arnold, Van-Dijk, Lascelles, Robertson
MID: Henderson, Keita, Fabinho
FWD: Salah, Firmino, Mane
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Odds correct as of 1500 BST 29/05/18