SINCE the appointment of Jürgen Klopp in October, it has been repeatedly said that there are too many players in this Liverpool squad that are simply not good enough, writes Joel Rabinowitz.
The logic then follows that there must be a huge clear-out at Anfield this summer, with players shifted out and upgrades moved in.
The results under Klopp up to this point have clearly been erratic, but there have been glimpses of evidence to show the true potential of this Liverpool side when the manager has the club’s best players available.
A fully-fit trio of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge is an immensely powerful attacking trident of world-class potential.
Danny Ings and Divock Origi could be more than able deputies.
Isn’t there enough star quality that Klopp need not dismantle and rebuild a new squad from scratch — inevitably leading to yet another season of “transition” — but instead focus on building a robust spine around which his most talented individuals can flourish?
A strong spine is a prerequisite for any successful football team — a core of high-quality players who can be relied upon on a weekly basis.
This Liverpool side has been labelled “spineless” on many occasions this season — and with good reason.
The inconsistent nature of Liverpool’s results can be attributed to the lack of a strong and regular backbone to the side.
We’re almost into March and we still never know which Liverpool will turn up from game to game. I’m not sure Klopp does either.
The current spine of Liverpool’s side is fragile to say the least.
Simon Mignolet’s inconsistency continues to undermine the rest of the team with a string of costly errors failing to instil confidence in those in front of him.
Question marks remain over all of Klopp’s centre-back options, although the arrival of Joel Matip from Schalke in the summer should strengthen this area. Whether Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren or Mamadou Sakho are deemed worthy of partnering the Cameroon international remains to be seen.
Liverpool desperately need a commanding midfielder, one able to control the tempo of a football match.
Emre Can is a promising talent but aged 22 is searching for consistency in his game while Jordan Henderson can dominate a game in his best form but the captain’s recurring heel injury is proving a major hindrance on his ability to dictate matches.
Neither Lucas Leiva nor Joe Allen are commanding figures, and despite the impending arrival of 6ft 3.5ins Marko Grujic from Red Star, Liverpool remain lightweight in this department with a 19-year-old unlikely to be the answer week in, week out.
At the top of the spine of 2016, Sturridge is a top class striker but one whose fitness simply cannot be relied upon. Ings and Origi are useful back-up options with bright futures as suggested above but proven and capable of 20-30 goals in the league?
Christian Benteke, despite plundering seven goals this season and 16 last, is looking to be the mistake many feared, slipping down to the bottom of the pecking order in Klopp’s forward options. The Belgian’s future at the club looks bleak.
When you compare this spine of players with the great Liverpool sides of the past, there is a remarkable a chasm in quality.
In the days of Bill Shankly, Liverpool greats such as Ray Clemence, Ron Yeats, Ian Callaghan and Ian St John were some of the core men.
More recently, we have seen a spine comprised of Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, among other highly influential figures such as Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso.
When you look at the players the Klopp has at his disposal, the contrast is stark.
The great Arsenal Invincibles side of 2003-04 was built around a formidable spine of Jens Lehmann, Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.
Needless to say, there were many other outstanding individuals who played a part in this extraordinary team, such as Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires.
The current Barcelona side is the best in world football, boasting arguably the most potent front three the game has seen. Yet quality lies throughout the core of the side, through a choice of two excellent goalkeepers in either Claudio Bravo or Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets, through to the star names up front.
The Arsenal side of o3-04 and the Barcelona side of today are two exceptional sides, littered with top-class players in virtually every position.
It is not always necessary, however, to have 11 excellent individuals in order to have a hugely successful football team.
The Liverpool side of 2008-09, which recorded that stunning 4-0 victory over Real Madrid, included several average and below-average players.
Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel and David N’Gog all featured for a side that finished second in the Premier League.
Fabio Aurelio, Alvaro Arbeloa and Martin Skrtel were all regular starters.
None of these were truly world-class players, but there was enough quality running through the spine of that team, from Reina to Torres, in order to achieve success.
Similarly, the title-winning Manchester City side of 2011-12 regularly featured the likes of Joleon Lescott, Aleksandar Kolarov and Nigel De Jong. A strong spine can compensate for average players.
Arguably, a great side only needs four or five great players, maybe less. To quote a Shanklyism: “A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing.”
If there is enough quality in the backbone of the side, the other positions can be filled out by competent, but not top-class players.
Nathaniel Clyne, Emre Can and Jordan Henderson are figures who can play a key part in Klopp’s future Liverpool side. Although not elite-level players at this stage, they can do a solid job and should improve with better quality players around them.
In terms of strengthening the spine, Klopp must surely look to build from the back by recruiting a new first-choice goalkeeper to replace Mignolet.
Sakho and Lovren have between now and the end of the season to turn the doubters into believers.
In midfield, Klopp will most likely bring in a top-quality playmaker to complement the energy and industry of Can and Henderson, with the Bundesliga looking a likely league to exploit.
Up top, the emphasis must be on signing a player in the mould of Sturridge, so that his absence through injury does not have a major detrimental effect on the team’s ability to score goals.
If Klopp can add three or four high-calibre players in key areas — rather than the clear-out, mass recruit that has been suggested by many — this will create a strong spine around which he can build his own Liverpool side, one well-suited to his philosophy.
With sufficient quality in these positions, we can expect to see a far more consistent and balanced team, not one overly dependent on the brilliance of one or two individuals.
A solid defence reduces the pressure on forward players; likewise, a stronger midfield and a prolific attack takes the weight off defender’s shoulders.
Ultimately, goals pay the bills but strengthening the spine with a handful of astute first-team ready signings must be the priority for Klopp this summer.
Interesting, so explain to me how you believe Can an Henderson have been better than Leiva, so much so, we should build our midfield around them??.
I think we definitely need a clear out but not of first team players but all these not so youngsters in the reserves:
Wisdom
Enrique
Toure
Illori
Bogdan
Yesil
Balotelli
Teixeira
Alberto
They all need to go none of them will get first team football and while some have potential to do ok such as wisdom and teixeria none will be breaking in the 1st team soon.
Then we only really need to add a few new 1st team players with the key issue being mignolet who desperately needs to be replaced,
Seriosuly how is this guy our keeper? even if you take the view on hes not that bad…
We need to be finishing in the top 4 and to do that you need to have a team that is better than 17 other teams than you that simple.
is mignolet better or will become better than
Lloris
De Gea
Cech
Hart
Courtious
or even Schmeichel
heck even Adrián
he HAS to be replaced for us to improve.
Begovic would do
Scmeicel wrote to Liverpool asking for a trial. He claimed to be a life long fan but the club never followed it up. Had he played for us and not Utd the entire power shift would have been different. That’s how important a good goalkeeper is
Interesting point. But I am of the opinion that Scmeicel alone could not have turned around our sinking ship. Yes, he is a top class goal keeper and miles ahead of our keepers of the same era, but some mediocre players that Souness brought in would have easily off-set our keeper’s performances.
He might give us some draws, but we were just not good enough for him to save us from slipping from ‘winning positions’.
A me spine methinks.
A new keeper is required. How we we gave Mignolet a new contract is beyond comprehension.
Hopefully Matip can be the new centreback needed.
Grujic is a welcome addition but I wonder about his lack of experience. We now seem to have A LOT of midfielders.
A new striker is required too. Sturridges fitness can’t be relied on and Bentekes Lverpool career is stuttering.
A wide attacker who’s a goal threat.
I’m not convinced by Moreno either. I like defenders who can defend first, everything else is a bonus.
So maybe 3 new players.
excellent article and agreed that we need to improve the spine.
My expectation for summer window is to start with 2 solid signings ~ commanding keeper and a leader in midfield . (hope Sturridge stays fit and Matip is our new spine in CB)
Lets just focus on getting the absolute best players we can in. Even if that means we only sign 1 player in the summer, if he is world class that is much better than 8 average players like we have done in recent windows (although to be fair our squad did need filling out).
We have a decent squad with lots of options now. We need to add the real star quality now. Stick Suarez in this team and we would be challenging for the title again. Lets go all out to find the next Suarez or Torres.
Once we have that done, any money left over just buy the best goalkepper we can get. Even if it is just someone who can at least compete with Mignolet and give us options. Hopefully though we can get someone who can save us points with saves, command the box and distribute quickly and accurately.
Maybe next summer we get the world class midfielder or Grujic, Can or Hendo grows into that. For now lets not be too greedy and buy someone to make the difference in each box.
A new GK wasn’t a priority at Dortmund for Klopp, despite having an average one, and I am not sure its going to be for him with us either. Weidenfeller didn’t even get a national call up until 2014!
he stuck with Weidenfeller for 11 seasons or so. He was conceding an average of something silly like 1.8 GPG pre Klopp, which would be enough to get rid. All Klopp did was improve the defence in front of him and the results were amazing.
But we will see on that front I guess.
a good point. (Klopp was there for 7 seasons so he could not have stuck with the same keeper for 11 seasons though :)
actually Klopp already stated clearly that he was happy with our False-#1. we thefans are calling for Mig’s blood (me being the loudest, possibly)
yep – 7 seasons, the previous guy stuck with Weidenfeller for 4 seasons prior to that.
I wonder if its because Klopp was a CB and simply sees that part of the pitch in a different way to the way we all do in terms of issues and what to do to fix it.
Spot on, Klopp seems to be prioritising cutting down on crosses into our area, minimising shots on our goal and so on, and leave Mig to just stand there whole game, literally ( a bit like ‘Clean Sheet’ against Exeter at home, for example).
Will our defenders be able to play with 100% trust in their own keeper and confidence? ‘that’s another story.
Spine. I’d look at seeing whether Lucas can provide CB cover with Kevin Stewart providing midfield cover in his stead. Joe Gomez looked great, lest we forget, and replace Benteke with the money recouped from his sale. New keeper is obviously a must, Mignolet stinks the place out. Klopp’s on record saying he wants a wide player so Coutinho could potentially drop back. Wouldn’t mind keeping Kolo, he’s been our best CB this season. Sell one or two of Skrtel, Lovren, Mama and bring in Subotic at a discount if he’s still up to the job (at least he knows how Klopp wants to play).
Sell one of Joe Allen, Milner, Henderson or Can and bring in a replacement. I know that sounds heretical but we have two many similar players both in terms of how they play and their quality threshold. Time to back winners and be ruthless.
I am looking forward to another CB performance by Lucas (just saw the lineup for tonight!!!!).
If Lucas is kept by Klopp in the summer, we know he will be the long term cover at CB and also DM position; while keeping him as senior ‘statement’ especially for younger Brazilian stars.
Replacements (ie they go) for Mignolet, Moreno, Milner, Can, Allan, Benteke.
None really good enough. Need a 2 year programme, not all at once.
If we got great money for Sturridge, Henderson, good deal cos of injuries
Also need to prune a centre back or 2, and decide if Flanno is going to make it back to regular 1st team.
Good read. Although I think you’ve underrated the 08/09 full backs. Arbeloa’s been solid in Real and Spain teams that have won everything and Aurelio when you could get him on the pitch was the classiest footballer I’ve gotten to watch at full back for Liverpool. 6 years of people making excuses for Glen Johnson’s deficiencies could have me overrating them with hindsight though.
Yeah, I think a lot of our first team is very Europa league (and there we are). It would be nice to be able to compete with the best teams in Europe by recreating something akin to Benitez’s great Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard and Torres spine but it’s probably better to try crawl before we walk never mind run i.e. figure out what we’ve been doing wrong this season that frigging Leicester have gotten right before wondering by how many we’d get beat by Barcelona in this hypothetical world where we’re a champions league club.
A real goalie (even just a bang average one tbh) and someone to be at least 50% Sturridge when he’s laid low would have seen us walk 4th and possibly beyond this season. I’d be starting there.
arbeloa’s first game for us was as a left back (Rafa’s genius)against Barca to keep a young kid called Lionel Messi quiet and it worked.
He was a really reliable full back (and yet still received ear full from Carra).
Agreed. Maybe one of the best things Klopp could do is talk to Rafa. As for the team, we won’t know how good it is until all our strikers are fit and match fit.
Klopp seems to imply during press conference today that he would let Sturridge and Coutinho start as many matches to continue to build match sharpness (can’t believe I even follow press conferences, pre and post match; I have never done this before Klopp joined us)
Same here. Never bothered with them before and I reckon I’ve youtubed 90% of the pre and post match press conferences since Klopps come.
Yesterday’s press conference was over 30 mins on Youtube and I had to try to skip German translation part!!! “Danke” etc etc.
Anyway, I was really pleased that Sturridge was brought in to answer/clarify a few things and that’s really good and clear (and hope he stays fit for eternity).
For me a good commanding keeper is an absolute must. Mignolet simply just doesn’t inspire confidence.
I’d also be looking to offload Sakho, Skrtl, Toure and Ilori.
With Matip coming in this summer and Gomez & Lovren (who I think would be much better with a commanding player beside him) as back-ups that still means adding 2 more Centre-back’s. Hummels would certainly be one at the top of my list.
Left-back has been our achilles heel for years. I almost have to think back to 2001 when Carragher played there for a season to remember a player that was a good defender first rather than an attacking outlet that defends a bit. For that reason I’d hope we’re looking at another LB who’s a great defender first and foremost.
A world class centre-mid that bosses games wouldn’t hurt, neither would an out an out 20 goal a season striker. Not much to ask then…Over to you Jurgen.
There has been too much chopping and changing over the past 6 years, What we have seen is that we get injuries and we need a large squad especially if we are going to have a go in all competitions, which we should. What this squad has is a load of good young players that need more game time, What this squad lacks is a sprinkling of goal dust, I would sell Ballo and Benteke if possible and buy one world class No 9 that is strong fast and can finish, given that Markovic, Matip and Grujic will be arriving unless you can get a world class midfielder or goalie then I would let the squad develop because unless you are spending 40Mil 50 mil plus on each player there is no point.
Liverpool need to get back to getting 2 world class players a year in each and every year that box of a position for 5 years min, quality not quantity.
I completely agree.
The last thing we need is another massive change in the playing personnel.
What we actually need is a bit of consistency in the team but bring in a coupla sprinkles of stardust.
Fraser Forster.
Apart from the Sturridge issue, I think 3 issues have made it hard to assess the squad this year. One is Mig – as I have said before on here, I find it hard to assess the defenders when they have all that uncertainty behind them. Second is Hendo’s injury which has not only weakened us in midfield but played into the factually incorrect view that he doesn’t create. Third is that our injuries have basically occurred in 2 main positions so you get these idiot pundits talking about our lopsided squad as if anyone else’s squad would look balanced without 4 strikers and 4 centre backs.
As for purchases, priority for me is making us stronger in both penalty areas.