Just a few sentences on how I see each position/player and their standing in the squad.
DM: Henderson - First in his position here, Henderson is amongst the best in this position in the league on consistency and influence on the team. While he may not be the most resolute player capable of playing in this position, his balance next season will be key with the new centre-half.
DM: Grujic - Seems unlikely to leave, but hopefully will have settled and be ready to impact the first team next season. In the same ilk as Matic at Chelsea, he was intended as a midfield enforcer but limited in opportunities. He is, however, in essence a more defensive version of Henderson.
DM: Lucas (leaves), Stewart (leaves), Keita (target) - While currently playing his trade in defence, Lucas' departure seems undeniable and impending at this point. Stewart rumours are rife too. Naby Keita of Leipzig is heavily rumoured to be our prime target. A more combative and energetic midfielder of the Kante ilk, I suspect he is being targeted to compete with Can within the midfield options.
CM: Can - Although his contract is yet to be signed, he seems settled and likely to progress with the club next year. His form has vastly improved on his disappointing opening.
CM: Wijnaldum - He is looking like a very good find, albeit with room for growth and improvement going into the coming season. He is adventurous and has the ability to get involved in both attack and defence. Expect more of his surging runs next season, but has been a clear and evident bright spark.
CM: Allan (returns) - The whole club is hoping to see Allan back at the club with a work permit. Klopp has been rumoured to be heavily influencing the proposed application. I think he is likely to be in the squad next year, with or without the permit.
AM: Lallana - Certainly grown into the role centrally. He has been instrumental to our success this year, and arguably the clubs best player this season, without the impressive goalscoring feats of Coutinho, Firmino and Mane.
AM: Meyer (target) - Schalke have had a few gifted players of late, continuing their prosperous scouting of promising young talent, and Max Meyer fits in this group of individuals. He may cost a hardy fee for a player few of the very top clubs are chasing, he might prove to be the kind of signing the club needs to ensure talent across the midfield positions.
AM: Coutinho - First choice attacking midfielder we'll have to hope loves the club as much as he says to the press. I think he is settled, and will be at the club next season. He's an enormous talent, and the club needs to bring more players of his calibre to the club, to ensure that they don't consider taming him alone is enough to limit our attacking abilities.
W: Kent (leaves), Brandt (target) - This could be the biggest signing of the window in terms of genuine youthful talent capable of making a name for himself. Any youtuber has seen his skillset, any Budesliga watcher has witnesses his brilliance. He would cost a fair price like Meyer, and we'd have to beat a lot of teams to obtain him, but don't be surprised if we do.
W: Mane - Certainly the best purchase the club made in the summer. He is a player we've missed previously but no doubt at all that he will be marauding his way in European and PL games next year at the club. Worth the money we spent? It now seems very justified.
W: Woodburn - Not the player we should be depending on, but a starlet potentially, in the making. I doubt he'll move on loan, and it could well be another season of cup games but will likely feature in some capacity. Expect the vast increase in squad quality and options in these positions to help improve players of his ilk.
RD: Firmino - Our Raumdeuter, second striker, all round threat is incomparable to any other player in the Premier League at the moment. It is this position that intrigues me most about our transfer window, because I expect us to sign a mini-Firmino, and at this point, we have not been linked with many.
RD: Markovic (leaves), Talisca (linked) - A name only critics in the league know, a player at a solid club for bringing talent through, and a player most fans read in the paper, then suddenly signed for a decent fee. I suspect the regularly linked Talisca will be brought in, for just under £20m, and will be a surprise to all. Like Teixeira linked last year, he is a player with attacking qualities, but never settled into a winger/attacking midfielder/striker position. Sound familiar?
ST: Sturridge (leaves), Williams/Lacazette (target) - Not sure which player is likelier to sign, and I'm not sure if either will. There are some positions where you wonder if we'll manage to obtain a prime target, and signing a sub-standard replacement for Sturridge is worse than not replacing him at this point. I would not be surprised if someone of a lesser name came in instead, but the club seem intent on investing in our attack.
ST: Origi - No doubt he has not managed to find consistency, but he has managed to grab goals in games we've needed him to, albeit, in patches. Has a bright future at the club, and as a pacy player capable in the air, has the traits to continue to prove himself as a super-sub until he gets there.
ST: Ings - Definitely the joint unluckiest member of the squad with Gomez during Klopp's time. Seems suited to the club, albeit, the club is now progressing to where he is still likely to have to settle for a squad place for now. Big season for him, and I very much doubt he'll leave.
Squad Balance:
DM - Henderson, Keita, Grujic
CM - Wijnaldum, Can, Allan
AM - Coutinho, Lallana, Meyer
W - Brandt, Mane, Woodburn
RD - Firmino, Talisca
ST - Williams/Lacazette, Origi, Ings
Outgoings - Lucas £0m, Stewart £6m, Markovic £15m, Kent £4m, Sturridge £25m (Circa £50m)
Incomings - Keita £20m, Meyer £20m, Brandt £25m, Talisca £15m, (Williams/Lacazette? £40m) (Circa £120m)
Anyone think this might not be the case?
