The Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern are beginning to get excited about next season – the first full one under Jurgen Klopp.
2015/16 saw the Reds finish in eighth place in the Premier League after a campaign that saw great victories at Manchester City and Chelsea, blighted by lacklustre performances against West Ham and Watford.
It was a season rife with inconsistency but also one of burgeoning hope as flashes of what the Merseysiders could do under Jurgen Klopp became more frequent towards the end of the season.
Liverpool also reached two cup finals which they fell short in but they’ve also been seen as a step in the right direction, and as always ahead of a fresh campaign the expectations are high around the club.
Where Klopp can guide his charges to this season remains to be seen but he was brought in to the club with one clear aim – to win the title.
The German transformed Borussia Dortmund into Bundesliga winners and now the same is hoped for at Anfield.
But how’s he going to do it? Well our landlord has had a look at the Reds squad and thinks this line-up could seriously be in with a chance if the right additions come in…..
Loris Karius
The young German has been bought in as competition for Simon Mignolet and it’s more than likely it’s a competition he’ll be the victor of.
The Belgian has made a number of high profile mistakes in his Anfield career and Karius will be hoping to exude a bit more confidence than his predecessor.
Karius takes command of his area and is also a great shot stopper so brings the best of Mignolet whilst also being able to catch a cross.
Nathaniel Clyne
Solid at defending and decent going forward, what more do you need from a full back?
The former Southampton man enjoyed a good campaign last season for the Reds in his first year and will look to improve on that for 2016/17.
In a Liverpool defence that looked very shaky at times in the last year Clyne looked the most assured and it’s hard to see him, at present at least, being ousted from the side.
Joel Matip
Matip’s transfer was confirmed during the 2015/16 campaign but he’ll only link up with the Reds squad this Summer.
The former Schalke defender looks like a real imposing physical presence and you can’t imagine he’s been signed just to sit on the bench.
With Liverpool’s defence undergoing a big revamp this window Matip’s starting berth looks assured if he performs to his full capacity, and in doing so the Reds will have the foundations for a solid defence.
Dejan Lovren
The Croatian was arguably Liverpool’s best defender last season and that shows you how far he has come since signing in 2014.
Lovren was much maligned at the start of his Anfield career to the point where his confidence was in tatters and his future was in serious doubt.
However, since Jurgen Klopp has come in he’s looked like a new player and if he continues in this vein he’ll be key to any title challenge the Reds can mount.
Jonas Hector
Liverpool’s left back position is a real issue at the moment.
The start of last season saw young centre back Joe Gomez fill in admirably before being injured.
]Jon Flanagan has also featured here but it’s clearly not his favourite side and Alberto Moreno just doesn’t have the defensive nous to play here.
Liverpool need a new left-back then and the name doing the rounds is Jonas Hector.
He’s been hugely impressive for Germany at EURO 2016 and would be a big asset to Liverpool’s 2016/17 incarnation.
Emre Can
Can is fast becoming a fan favourite and you can see why.
With Klopp playing him in his favoured position Can has come into his own, he breaks up play, drives the team forward and can pass it about too.
He’s only going to get better under Klopp and he’s arguably now one of the first names on the team sheet.
If he could just add a few more goals to his game Liverpool would have a real force in the young German.
Roberto Firmino
Firmino was Liverpool’s best signing last season.
The Brazilian scores goals, hassles defenders and creates chances too.
He’s the perfect Klopp player and could be one of the stars of the season now he’s adjusted to Premier League life and his understanding with compatriot Philipe Coutinho is almost telepathic, as some found out to devastating effect last season.
For all his talent his best trait is his work rate and this is what has endeared him to the Anfield faithful so quickly.
Philippe Coutinho
Liverpool’s main man quite simply. If the Reds lose him before he reaches his prime it’ll be a real blow because Coutinho is beginning to show how far his talent could take him.
The former Inter man was the Reds’ best player last season and under Jurgen Klopp he looks to have gone up a gear in terms of work rate, and goals and if he can just be a bit more consistent with his performances Liverpool will have a genuinely world class player in their midst.
Sadio Mane
Mane has joined the club for £34 million so naturally the expectation is he’ll start.
It’s a big price tag, largely thanks to his youngish age and Reds fans are counting on him to hit the ground running.
The former Southampton brings power and pace as well as a good goal threat and is evidently someone who Klopp feels he can work with.
Mane will be approaching his prime soon and Reds fans will be hoping he can kick on this season.
Daniel Sturridge
It’s a well-worn line with the England man but when he’s fit and firing Daniel Sturridge is a world class forward.
The former Chelsea striker has quick feet and lethal finishing in front of goal and looked to be getting back to his best towards the end of last season.
If Klopp can keep him fit Liverpool will always have a chance in games and that will be a big factor for the Reds, staying in the title hunt.
Gonzalo Higuain
If Liverpool want to seriously get anywhere near the title though, they need a player like Gonzalo Higuain.
The last time the Reds came close was with Luis Suarez up top and Higuain is one of the few players that come close to the Uruguayan for talent.
The Argentine nearly fired Napoli to the Serie A title last season and with the former Real Madrid man apparently harbouring a desire to play at Anfield, it’s an avenue the Reds have to explore.
