Just thought I'd start a quick thread discussing some of the positions that we have settled, and the players we should be looking at to back-up and enforce them.
The perception of our most common XI is:
Karius/Mignolet - alternatives
Clyne - no genuine competition
Matip - Lucas has covered here
Lovren/Klavan - alternatives
Milner - Moreno has covered here
Henderson - Stewart/Ejaria has barely featured here
Wijnaldum - Can is capable competition
Lallana - Grujic has featured on rare occassions
Coutinho - Firmino drops in when necessary
Firmino - Origi and Sturridge have had some game-time up front
Mane - Woodburn is not genuine competition
It suggests that Liverpool have competition problems in several positions: right-back, centre-half, central midfield, attacking midfield and winger.
My question to the forum is who would you look at in these positions to improve our squad. Realistic targets would be preferable, as ever.
For me, I think if we sign any players in these positions, they will most likely be from Germany or England, because these are players that are well-known to either the scouting department, other players, or to Klopps team.
I think with Ilori, Sakho and Lucas all being touted to leave, we should probably expect one incoming to compliment our defensive options at centre-half. Fonte would be an astute choice, if we could get him at an acceptable price. I genuinely believe we're looking at younger options, like Cian Harries. Sule and Tah are options from the Bundesliga.
At right-back, Clyne has spent too long without competition. While I would not sign a right-back out-right, because Flanagan is due back in the summer, I would go all out and sign West Ham winger Mikhail Antonio. I think he is capable of doing a similar job to Milner. I could even see both of them playing on either side, with Antonio featuring often on either flank. He scores so many goals, despite having played so often at full-back on deeper in midfield. Perfect player for Klopp's system for me. Not sure we'll sign a full-back this window.
In centre-midfield, Kondogbia has been linked previously and he would certainly be a good addition in my eyes. I think Dahoud was previously our primary target and I would expect that to remain the case. Whether he is the robust midfielder we need, I'm not sure, but if he can match Hendersons maneuverability, he could prove advantageous to our options.
Finally, because I think Antonio being primarily a winger will offer strength out-wide, I would look for a player capable of playing across any of the front-line. Jese has been linked, and I think he is perfect to take a chance on. A loan deal to buy, would give genuine competition for Fimino and Mane up top. Forsberg and Brandt have been linked as longer term targets.
