The manager is building his team the way he wants it.
Liverpool FC, the most successful English side in European competition, has been a shadow of its former self for long. A far cry from the squad that dominated the game in the 1970s and 1980s, the Reds of recent years have been stuck in a loop of inconsistency and mediocrity that has appeared difficult to break out of.
The 2015-2016 season was no different. An uninspired and strangely incoherent player recruitment strategy, thanks in part to the much maligned transfer committee, meant that the club started the year devoid of an identity.
While the Reds did bring in the industrious James Milner and flamboyant Brazilian Roberto Firmino, the summer transfer window will also be infamous for the ill-advised signing of Belgian forward Christian Benteke – a decent goal-scorer in his own way, but lacking the movement or agility of others around him.
With a team deficient in ideas, character and tactical nous, it came as no surprise that results didn’t go Liverpool’s way and eventually got manager Brendan Rodgers the sack. The signing of former Borussia Dortmund head coach Jürgen Klopp as his replacement was a huge statement of intent from the team’s owners, Fenway Sports Group. It sparked a revival of sorts, yet inconsistency remained.
Klopp’s arrival ushered in a new brand of “heavy metal” football that was easy on the eyes and helped contribute to some much-needed positivity. But memorable wins over Borussia Dortmund, Norwich City and Manchester United did little to mask the team’s failure in two cup finals and a disappointing 8th place finish in the league. At best, Liverpool FC’s 2015-2016 season was a mixed bag.
Setting things right
But Klopp had promised fans exciting football; and there were signs aplenty. Breathtaking movement, incessant pressing and last-gasp goals: Liverpool played with a swagger that few fans could have seen coming. But while the moves dazzled, the team often failed to deliver the knockout punch. The Europa League final especially, where the team spectacularly threw away a 1-0 lead to lose 1-3 against Sevilla FC, was hard to digest.
This defeat, and others before it, was down to two things: the lack of a pre-season camp and the personnel.
The pre-season training camp is an approximately two-month period before the start of the football season that is considered an important aspect of preparation. It is where the manager gets to impress his style and tactics on the squad. Klopp had taken over Liverpool in October and had had no time to instruct his players in the art of his preferred “Gegenpress” – a unique tactic that involves regaining possession immediately after losing the ball.
Secondly, Klopp was operating with a team he had inherited from the previous manager. While one can only imagine the calibre of players he would have attracted if he were to have been in charge of the club earlier, Klopp has been largely forgiven for his squad’s inconsistent results owing to the personnel he had at his disposal. Square pegs in round holes, it was said – a squad of misfits trying to deliver against all odds.
Klopp obviously had his work cut out going into the new season
Throwing out the dead wood
With the club’s forward line buzzing with talent, Klopp was quick to turn his attention to what the squad lacked – stability in defence and goals from midfield.
As Leicester City FC and Chelsea FC have shown, a solid defence can be the backbone of a title-winning campaign. After securing the future of talented but erratic goalkeeper Simon Mignolet on a five-year contract, Klopp brought in young German shot-stopper Loris Karius from FSV Mainz 05 as his competition. Former Arsenal keeper Alex Manninger has been brought in as experienced cover for the two.
Having already signed the highly rated 20-year old Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic from Red Star Belgrade in January, Klopp moved for towering Cameroon centre back Joël Matip from Schalke 04. Replacing the outgoing Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure, the team added some much needed experience in defence with Estonian national Ragnar Klavan.
However, the failure to sign Germany’s World Cup hero Mario Götze from Bayern Munich, and youngster Mahmoud Dahoud from Borussia Monchengladbach made the club realise that it would not be easy attracting the best talent without Champions League football.
But the directness he craved seems to have been found in the signing of midfielders Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum from Southampton and Newcastle, respectively. Mane is known for his blistering speed and menacing movement which he put to good use in Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Barcelona on Saturday. Wijnaldum is a central midfielder with a knack of taking up goal-scoring positions behind the opposition defence.
And their numbers speak for themselves. Mane and Wijnaldum scored 11 goals each in the league last season. Roberto Firmino – who often played as a striker – was the only Liverpool player to hit double digits.
These purchases have been offset by the sales of a number of players deemed surplus to requirement. Joe Allen, who had an impressive Euro 2016, was recently sold to Stoke City. Jordan Ibe and Australian full back Brad Smith joined AFC Bournemouth in search of regular first team football.
The Reds also saw the departure of fringe players such as Jose Enrique, Samed Yesil and Ryan McLaughlin. Others, including the likes of Lucas Leiva, Christian Benteke and Mario Balotelli, are expected to leave too.
But perhaps the most important deal for the club this season has been the long-term contract for Jürgen Klopp and his staff members Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz. It is a sign that the club’s owners believe in Klopp’s vision and are willing to let him plan a greater blueprint for the club’s success.
Blanks yet to be filled
In a welcome change from seasons past, the club has shown a decisiveness with its targets in the transfer market. Completing signings early, ensuring a complete pre-season for all players, and allowing them the time to imbibe Klopp’s methods sets the team up nicely for the new season. But there do exist a number of positions that need strengthening.
After some dreadful defensive showings, left back Alberto Moreno should feel lucky to not find himself transfer-listed. But with Brad Smith sold and Jon Flanagan out on loan, there is a serious lack of cover for the full backs. Leicester’s Ben Chilwell, Aston Villa’s Jordan Amavi and FC Köln’s Jonas Hector have all been linked with a move, but the lack of European competition at Anfield this year means there is no certainty on who the club may sign next.
The absence of a specialist defensive midfielder – the lack of an upgrade on Brazilian Lucas Leiva – is also a cause for concern. With Emre Can being only midfielder capable of playing that role, there is a fear that an injury could lead to a midfield crisis.
Setting expectations
Klopp recently said that he was “pleased with the quality” of the squad and was looking forward to challenging on three fronts: the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup.
And while the lack of a marquee signing – a world-class addition along the likes of names others in the Premier League have recently acquired – may be a cause for worry, a look at Klopp’s record at Dortmund should provide some reassurance. He is known to make stars instead of buying them.
Whether this turns out to be Liverpool’s year or the long wait for a Premier League title continues remains to be seen. But if the pegs do match the holes, expect creative flair, untiring running and some heavy metal football courtesy the new band now playing at Liverpool FC.
