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| We take a look at what Liverpool need to do to become one of Europe’s most feared teams again. |
Last season, Liverpool sealed a top four spot in the Premier League to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for just the sixth time since they last lifted the cup in 2005.
After losing the UEFA Europa League final in the previous campaign, the Reds showed signs that they’re capable of becoming one of England’s most feared sides again. Now they have the record to back them up.
In the 10 matches played against the top five teams around them, Liverpool were unbeaten, winning and drawing five games each.
They may still be some way off from the glory days under Rafa Benitez, but fans are starting to feel a shift in power once again. That said, Jurgen Klopp’s red army are just a couple of signings away from perfection.
On Thursday night, Liverpool confirmed the signing of Egyptian winger, Mohamed Salah, while a few other big names continue to be linked to the five-time UEFA Champions League winners.
To challenge in Europe’s elite competition, Klopp’s men will need to strengthen. Their pursuit for Virgil van Dijk ended when Southampton claimed that their star player was approached illegally by the Reds.
Nevertheless, Liverpool still have a good relationship with the Saints and should look into signing their shot-stopper, Fraser Forster. Since Pepe Reina departed the club in 2013, the Merseyside giants are yet to find a goalkeeper that commands his defence and takes control in the box. Forster would suit that role perfectly.
Liverpool are also in search for a new left-back. James Milner offers a handful of experience to the team, but realistically speaking, he just isn’t good enough to start. With the Reds looking to offload Alberto Moreno, Faouzi Ghoulam could be a decent signing for Klopp.
The Algerian is excellent going forward and is just as brilliant in defence. He also has a sweet left foot over a dead ball – an area Liverpool haven’t been extremely good at since the days of Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.
Because of Liverpool’s free-flow attacking football, they need a great defensive midfielder if they want to compete among the world’s best. If they can strike a deal with crosstown rivals, Everton, then Idrissa Gueye is a player they should pursue. The Senegalese midfielder made 135 tackles in the Premier League last season – more than any other player.
Roberto Firmino may have been expected to be replaced by a high-profile centre forward when Klopp first arrived, but alongside Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho, he is part of one of the deadliest attacking trios in Europe. With Coutinho expected to drop deeper into midfield, Salah will likely make his way straight into the Reds’ line-up.
Written by Jesse Nagel