It is hard to measure Liverpool’s success this season, as expectations of this once great club are so varied. Some expect Liverpool to be competing for the title, whereas some would deem European qualification a coup.
Liverpool will go another year without silverware, but are looking increasingly likely to secure a top four finish, and the rewards associated with the lucrative Champions League.
Based on history, Liverpool are a club who deserve to be in Europe’s premier competition. Based on recent form, they do not. However, since the arrival of Jürgen Klopp, there is a different feel around the Anfield side.
The German boss has put together a forward line capable of competing with the best, and the trio of Coutinho, Firmino and Sadio Mane are a force to be reckoned with.
Yet despite putting together one of the best forward lines in the Premier League, Liverpool are still not competing for the title, and the top four is not guaranteed. Liverpool are extremely close to becoming title contenders, and this summer could be the point in which their fortunes turn, and England’s 5 time European Champions rise again.
Here is what Jürgen Klopp must do…
Top Priority: Sort the defence out
Liverpool’s defence is nothing short of woeful. Dejan Lovren is always an accident waiting to happen, Ragnar Klavan is not good enough for the level of football Liverpool aspire to reach. Joel Matip has shown promise, but his consistency is questionable. Full-backs James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne have been solid, but there is no depth anywhere across the back four. Alberto Moreno? We won’t even go there.
Going forward Liverpool are devastating and are the league’s top scorers. Defensively they have the joint second worst defence in the top nine, second only to West Brom. Klopp needs to remove the dead weight from his defence, and add depth and quality to his back line. Recalling Mamadou Sakho from his loan spell at Crystal Palace would be a start, but it seems likely the Frenchman will move on.
If Liverpool bolster their defence and maintain their goal scoring form, they will be title contenders.
Medium Priority: Decide who your number one is
Karius, Mignolet. Karius, Mignolet. Klopp has yo-yoed between the two all season.
Karius came to Liverpool with a broken hand, so Mignolet started the season between the sticks. He was usurped by Karius in the build up to Christmas, but then the Belgian stopper regained his place in January. Yes, competition is good, but replacing a goalkeeper so often can be very unsettling for both players. The thought that a mistake will lead to a spell on the side-lines must be very unnerving.
Klopp must decide who his first choice number one will be, or look to the transfer market to acquire the man for the job. The indecision shown here may have contributed to unsettling the Liverpool defence and is a possible factor in their poor showing this term.
Low Priority: Keep Philippe Coutinho
Many would say that keeping Coutinho should be a top priority, but if the Brazilian decides a move to Barcelona is right for him this summer, then let him go. When Luis Suarez left for Catalonia, Liverpool turned from title contenders to a top half team. This will not happen if Coutinho were to depart.
Suarez was instrumental for Liverpool, and everything went through the prolific Uruguayan. He was the best player in the league, and losing such a talent would cripple any side. Coutinho does need have the same influence. If Barcelona were to come in with a £60 million plus offer, Liverpool should take it.
Brendan Rodgers blew the Suarez money on a series of botched transfers, but Jürgen Klopp will not be so foolish. Selling Coutinho to invest in the defence and a quality striker would benefit the club in the long term, but if he can be convinced to stay another season, Liverpool would still have a good player on their books.
