Despite Liverpool’s resurgence at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, securing a Champions League place and winning eight of their last 10 games after a disappointing home defeat to Fulham at the start of March, its safe to conclude that Jurgen Klopp’s side fell well short of their lofty expectations.
They still managed to finish third in the table 17 points behind champions Manchester City, but after winning the title the previous campaign, Liverpool underwent arguably the worst Premier League title defence of any champion of the past. There’s a whole host of excuses for Liverpool’s sudden demise: the amount of injuries suffered especially to key figures such as Virgil Van Dijk & Joe Gomez for much of the campaign. Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Joel Matip also spent spells on the sidelines which didn’t help Klopp’s cause.
Also, the absence of fans at Anfield due to the never-ending coronavirus pandemic causing unnecessary panic towards Liverpool’s ambitions undergoing eight home games without a win between January and April, losing six of in a row – three of them to some of the so called ‘smaller clubs’. Burnley, Brighton and Fulham all tasted unprecedented victories at Anfield further plummeting Liverpool’s season to a sure state of undeniable failure.
Liverpool’s tremendous away form towards the latter part of the campaign certainly got them reaching towards that coveted Champions League spot but while Manchester City comfortably soared towards a third Premier League title in four years, Jurgen Klopp and his side were left licking their salty wounds. By their lofty standards, it was a poor campaign in truth with many of their stars underperforming and faltering at the sheer weight of expectation.
Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino to name a few, but Jurgen Klopp will certainly be working extra hard this summer in making sure that his side right those wrongs, aiming to get back to the same levels of consistency, intensity and siege mentality that brought them to unparalleled greatness during the 2019/20 campaign.
Now these question will be ringing in Jurgen Klopp’s ears; how will he get his side to those peerless levels again? What does his squad need to match Manchester City for next season? How will he rebuild this squad to reclaim their Premier League crown?
These questions will need addressing, and there’s no doubt that Jurgen Klopp’s squad needs a major overhaul if they are to match Manchester City but also more importantly trump the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester City who will also be looking to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season.
So which areas of the squad do Liverpool need to address?
In goal, Adrian has recently signed a new deal so Klopp will have no worries about his options in goal with number one Alisson in talks to extend his contract at Anfield. Highly-rated young goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher will be sent out on loan to further his development according to various reports.
At centre-back, Liverpool are well stocked after the summer signing of Ibrahima Kounate from RB Leipzig. Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez will be back from the long injury spells, also Joel Matip. Klopp also has Nathaniel Phillips and January signing Ben Davies to call up on too.
So what areas of the squad do Liverpool need to address this summer heading into the forthcoming season?
Adequate cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold?
According to the BBC, Liverpool would reluctantly be willing to sell highly-rated right-back Neco Williams, with a minimum asking price of around £10m which seems a strange decision. Williams is highly thought of at Anfield, and has been earmarked for a big future in the future, and more importantly seems a fair candidate to challenge Trent Alexander-Arnold for a starting spot at right-back.
If this is the case, then Klopp can’t arrive into next season with no cover for Trent AA. So who could he look to?
Max Aarons, Norwich
Despite Norwich’s promotion to the Barclays Premier League once again, its about time their wonderfully gifted full-back Max Aarons tests himself at a much bigger club. According to Sky Sources, Tottenham, Manchester United and Everton have all expressed an interest in signing the right-back and if Liverpool are looking for quality to add to their squad, then they can look no further than putting their name in the ring for the 21-year-old.
Max Aarons is amongst the most gifted young full-backs in the country and an England Under-21 international star. Not only will he boost Liverpool’s homegrown quota, but he’d provide serious competition to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Any sort of dip in form from the England international will allow Aarons to slot right in.
Despite his small frame and build, Aarons is a superb athlete, a real force of nature when he drives forward down the right-flank. A tremendous ball-carrier, pacey, and a player blessed with excellent vision. Aarons has proven a key outlet for Norwich in attack, evidently shown in registering 2 goals and 2 assists last season, and 2 goals and 6 assists during the 2018/19 campaign. It certainly isn’t Trent Alexander-Arnold type statistics but Aarons still offers plenty going forward. His understanding with the now departed Emiliano Buendia was a key weapon in Daniel Farke’s system, and there’s no reason why Aarons can’t have the same impact at a higher level.
Norwich are believed to be holding out for around £30m for the full-back which Liverpool may be unwilling to pay but the potential and abilities Aarons holds means he’ll be worth every single penny. It’s a move that many of the top six clubs would be silly to ignore.
Noussair Mazraoui, Ajax
Ajax full-back Noussair Mazraoui is certainly on his way to becoming a top-level right-back if he isn’t one currently. The 23-year-old is already attracting a lot of interest from a whole host of top clubs around Europe, especially Arsenal.
Mazraoui, 23, has been in excellent form for Ajax ever since he broke into the first team. Still largely young, the Morocco international surpassed 100 appearances for Erik Ten Hag’s side towards the end of the 20-21 campaign. But now, he has entered the last 12 months of his contract. The Moroccan international could represent smart business for any side lacking capable right-backs.
Ajax value Mazraoui at £14.5million, and there is belief that the club could settle for less than that figure which constitutes are bargain for a tremendously gifted footballer.
Mazraoui is an excellent defender, first and foremost. He is quick, switched on and defensively sound. Rather than being an attacking right-back that gets goals and assists, he focuses more on protecting his own goal. But he is still more than adept at getting forward and contributing in the final third. His relatively lean frame means he’s perfectly capable of imposing himself both defensively and offensively and especially in the air defending crosses.
The Moroccan doesn’t record as much goal contributions as Trent AA does but playing with top level forwards like Mo Salah and Sadio Mane will only increase his output. Though, what stands out in his game is his defensive contribution. He’s a very good defender. In the Champions League last season, he recorded 3.2 tackles per game, 2.3 interceptions and 2.5 clearances meaning he is capable of aiding his team to become defensively sound. In the Dutch Eredivisie, he’s averaged 1.8 tackles, and 1.5 interceptions highlighting his ability to triumph in his ground duels.
These are areas in which Trent Alexander-Arnold can improve on. He only averaged 1.4 tackles, and 1.3 interceptions which is still impressive, however, Liverpool suffered greatly in defence last season and Trent’s deficiencies towards his own goal also played a role in their demise. It’s clear Mazroaui will improve Liverpool’s defensive problems, but he’d also look much better sitting alongside Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Ridle Baku, Wolfsburg
Ever since his move from Mainz last summer, Ridle Baku has progressed superbly under the tutelage of Oliver Glasner at Wolfsburg. The right-sided midfielder, come right-back is an incredibly astute, tactically aware and all-round footballer.
The young right-back was an influential piece in the Germany U21 side that won the European Championship in June and as a result, is already attracting significant interest from clubs around Europe. Baku was named Player of the Match in the final against Portugal and even concluded the tournament with the highest assists (3). In the 38 appearances Baku made for German side Wolfsburg, he recorded an impressive 16 goal involvements, recording 6 goals and 6 assists in the German Bundesliga.
The 1.76m-tall defender, who can even be deployed as a midfielder, leads the ranking for the Bundesliga with 1,061 sprints. Few players have covered a greater distance in the ongoing season than him. He is currently the 10th-best runner with 351 km run on the field.
Baku is highly versatile too having already played in all possible positions on the right-flank for the team. He’d prove a valuable asset for Jurgen Klopp owing to his incredible versatility but also providing his side with the opportunity to be tactically flexible. Wherever, he is deployed Ridle Baku will give his all.
In the 2020/21 campaign, Baku recorded a Goals/Assists ratio of 0.19/0.22 per 90 minutes. Compared to other Premier League full backs, it was pretty impressive.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson’s G/A ratio was 0.06/0.21 and 0.03/0.19. The Wolfsburg full back also recorded superior figures to Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell. It’s important to remember that Baku is far from the finished article and that’s a good thing.
He still has four years remaining on his current contract so Wolfsburg will command an astronomical fee to release him, however there’s no reason why Liverpool cannot express there interest.
Gini Wijnaldum Replacement?
Liverpool sadly waved goodbye to Dutch midfield maestro Gini Wijnaldum who completed to his move to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. The 30-year-old midfielder will be tough to replace at Anfield after his enthralling, consistent and dominant performances throughout his career for Liverpool.
All good things must come to end though, as did Wijnaldum’s time at Anfield, and it was time he moved onto pastures new, which means Jurgen Klopp may already be scouting the marker for potential replacements if needed. Liverpool are quite stocked in midfield with Fabinho, Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and highly-rated wonderkid Curtis Jones.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita’s futures are uncertain as well as the evergreen James Milner who will turn 36 in January, it certainly wouldn’t hurt for Jurgen Klopp to be sounding out potential additions to replace Wijnaldum, but who could they be looking at?
Florian Neuhaus, Borussia Monchengladbach
Liverpool have reportedly scouted German international Florian Neuhaus extensively over the past few months, and rightly so. The midfielder could represent the perfect replacement for Wijnaldum, seeing as he offers the same amount of effort, energy and style as the Dutch captain. Technically excellent, Neuhaus has been a mainstay in the Gladbach side putting in some impressive and consistent performances throughout his time at Borussia Park.
The 24-year-old will certainly need time to adapt to the physical demands of English football, but he’s a very smart and brainy footballer, one who commonly uses his head just as much as his feet. Neuhaus has been commonly referred to as a Klopp-type midfielder because of his tremendous stamina, all-action style, technical excellence and the ability to break into the final third and create chances as well as score goals.
Over the past three seasons, Neuhaus hasn’t missed a single game to injury. During that period he’s made a total of 95 Bundesliga appearances, contributing 13 goals and 19 assists. He’s also got Champions League experience meaning he wouldn’t need too much bedding in especially when playing in Europe.
Neuhaus’ statistics underlines his penchant for progressive carrying of the ball and passing from deep. In Europe’s top-five leagues, only Aston Villa’s John McGinn and Valencia’s Carlos Soler did so more often over the course of last season. Per90, Neuhaus averaged 6.44 progressive carries of the ball driving his team up the pitch in search of goals and 5.81 progressive passes. He’s got tremendous vision, superb range of passing and an outstanding awareness of where his teammates are across the final third. He averaged 4.85 passes into the final third, indicative of his creative abilities.
6 goals and 5 assists from 33 Bundesliga is impressive numbers considering where he is deployed in the team, and could offer the same amount of goal threat at Anfield. He’s a proficient player, rarely loses the ball, ever-reliable and a tough tackler and dueler when he needs to be, averaging 3.30 tackles + interceptions per90. He’s a player built in the Klopp-mould.
Renato Sanches, LOSC Lille
If ever a top-tier side needs an all-action midfielder then they should look no further than Portugal and Lille midfielder Renato Sanches. A superb all-round performer who has risen from the rubble with such tremendous grace and determination.
After a difficult spell at Swansea in the Premier League on-loan from Bayern Munich, Sanches has placed his career on an upward trajectory once again after his move to France in 2019, helping the club to their first French title in 10 years. Renato Sanches was central to Lille’s success last season, showcasing his tactical flexibility and astuteness as well as his superb understanding of the positions he’s been given the responsibility to perform in. Sanches has lined up in central midfield, right-midfield, on the left and as a defensive midfielder owing much to his incredible versatility.
The Portuguese international is very much in the mould of Wijnaldum without the penchant to score goals – he only scored once in Ligue 1 last season but his contributions go beyond his abilities in front of goal. He’s still ridiculously creative, averaging 7.23 final third passes, 6.81 progressive passes and 1.28 key passes. He holds incredible vision, ball control, tenacity, tactical nous and a strength belying his small frame. Sanches thrives under pressure, or in tight areas using his superb technical qualities and swift change of movement to evade markers with such consummate ease.
His performance against France at Euro 2020 is a fine example. He deserves another shot in the English-top flight, and Liverpool need another all-action Klopp-type midfielder and Renato Sanches fits the bill perfectly.
Wildcard: Houssem Aouar, Lyon
Liverpool are gonna need an injection of creativity in midfield due to the loss of Gini Wijnaldum, and there’s potentially no better option out there in Europe than Lyon’s creative maestro Houssem Aouar.
The Frenchman is indeed a wildcard seeing as Liverpool haven’t been interested in his services in the past, but a player of Aouar’s ability and pedigree means any of England’s top clubs cannot afford to pass on the opportunity of recruiting this extremely talented young midfielder. At times last season – even with Gini Wijnaldum in the team, Klopp’s men lacked imagination and that injection of magic needed when breaking down low blocks, especially in their home defeats to Fulham, Brighton and Burnley.
Much of last season, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were below-par and instead they relied on the brilliance of Mohammed Salah to recue them out of trouble. In order to match Manchester City, Liverpool are gonna need creativity from midfield again and Houssem Aouar provides that much needed impetus. A footballer blessed with the ability to work his magic in tight areas and create opportunities in an instant, Aouar is simply stunning to watch when he’s full flow.
Aouar may not be the all-action, Klopp-type midfielder but he’s a luxury player all top clubs should have in their squad. As soon as he’s got the ball in dangerous areas – imagine him picking up a Thiago pass breaking the lines of play – he’ll make something happen, whether its a sublime through ball, a swift change movement to evade pressure or a pearl of a shot into the back of the net, he is a player built to excite and offer highlight reels. Anfield needs that wow-factor again after such a difficult campaign last season.
Seven goals, three assist in what was a bright campaign for Lyon, Aouar certainly holds the capabilities in front of goal. He averaged 1.87 key passes, 4.39 final third passes and 5.10 shot-creating actions per 90 highlighting his ruthless nous in the final third. After a failed move to the Premier League last year, and Lyon’s financial strains this time round, the club would be more than willing to allow Aouar to finally depart the club. Liverpool should throw their name in the ring.
Another Attacker Alongside Mane, Salah and Jota?
Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino & Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all likely to be moved on this summer to free-up funds to improve their attacking options. It’s abundantly clear, Liverpool can no longer solely rely on Roberto Firmino to be their only ‘striker’ in the squad. The Brazilian’s influence is on the wane, and hasn’t hit double figures for goals since he notched 12 Premier League goals during the 2018/19 campaign.
While Mane and Jota will be expected to improve their own goal returns next season, Jurgen Klopp won’t be criticized for scouring the market to find another potent goalscorer, who can share the load with Mo Salah. The club haven’t possessed a devastating number 9 for quite a while now, in fact, they haven’t needed one but if Klopp is to take Liverpool’s game to the next level, a out-an-out striker may well be required…
Donyell Malen, PSV Eindhoven
According to various reports, Liverpool have opened talks with PSV Eindhoven over a potential transfer for Dutch international striker Donyell Malen.
A former Arsenal academy player, Malen has forged a super career back in his homeland, swiftly becoming one of the most potent strikers in Europe. PSV signed him back in 2017, and after a year spent developing in the B team, he has richly blossomed in the Eredivisie.
Since his first team debut in 2018, Malen has hit 55 goals in 116 games for the Dutch giants, also providing 24 assists. He regularly features as a centre forward for PSV but can also play on the left-wing in required. Liverpool aren’t the only club on his radar with Borussia Dortmund and ex-club Arsenal also believed to be interested in his talented services.
Malen has proven he has what it takes to perform at the top level, and its probably about time he’s move on to pastures new. The 22-year-old is ruthlessly quick, but more importantly a devastating finishing and fine creator. He hit 19 goals and 8 assists in the Dutch Eredivisie last campaign, and 27 in all competitions.
He’s a very direct, pacey and agile forward mixed with an excellent blend of nimble, electric footwork. He’s a nightmare for most centre-backs because of his almost terrier-like bravery in running at defenders and beating them for pace.
The striker would fit right in in Jurgen Klopp’s because of his searing pace and ruthless ability to play on the counter. A clever player who thrives off playing on the shoulder of the last defender, once he is through goal, goalkeepers have no chance of reading what he’s going to do. The confidence, assuredness and potent edge in front of goal makes him an attractive option for any top club in Europe.
Dusan Vlahovic, Fiorentina
In more ways than some, Dusan Vlahovic’s trajectory over the past year has been the polar opposite of Fiorentina’s. While the club have flat-lined into a complete demise both on the pitch and on the managerial front, the 21-year-old’s credibility and standing amongst the some of the elite young forwards in Europe has risen considerably.
21 goals and 3 assists from 34 Serie A starts for Fiorentina, Vlahović is among the leading marksmen in Serie A for goals, but not only that, his sheer desire and passion when performing is certainly of a unique and hugely promising style.
One of the first striking elements of Dušan Vlahović’s characteristics is his striking size. At 6’3”, he stands quite literally, head and shoulders above others, especially some defenders who are tasked with taming him during a game. This has all the makings of a familiar fairytale story when it comes to young prodigy’s especially strikers, that their size immediately strikes fear into their opponents.
Like Erling Braut Haaland, Dušan Vlahović is built of a similar ilk.
For most of the campaign, Fiorentina have opted for a 3-5-2 system, with Vlahović and Ribery as the two forwards. It’s a pairing which offers dynamism, flair, creativity and a real clinical edge. Most of Vlahović’s goals this season have stemmed from the Serbian’s superb movement in the box, and finding himself in the right spaces at the right time.
Vlahović is a potent and clinical penalty box presence, a devastating finisher and his 21 goals in Serie A this season showing that at the tender age of just 21, he’s got so much to give in goal scoring situations. 6 of those 21 goals have come from the penalty spot, scoring 6 from 6 in fact, meaning that he is ever-so reliable from the penalty spot.
Good movement, clinical finishing – Vlahović already looks the complete young package. As a bonus, he works hard off the ball too, he is tenacious, and plays the game like his life depends on it. He is not the type of player to be around when you have the ball, he will hustle and bustle until he regains possession, a real terrier-like performer. He averages 2.44 successful pressures per 90 while also recording 0.62 tackles + interceptions which highlights his abilities without the ball.
All these characteristics make him the perfect Jurgen Klopp-striker. Klopp was the mastermind behind Robert Lewandowski and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s learning and development in the early years, imagine what he could do with Vlahovic.
A future leading striker for many years to come, Liverpool would be incredibly smart to invest in it.
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