There are innumerable examples where making too many or too few changes over a transfer window after success has proven problematic – either disrupting the cohesion of the team that achieved success or hindered the progress as other teams move forward. Transfer windows are moments where progress have a heightened perceived importance but I think this window will be reflected on more by Klopp and the fans because of the recent success than because it is ‘paramount’.
I don’t think Klopp should be scared of repurcussions for making a handful of changes for three reasons:
1. Liverpool didn’t cruise to 97 points and a CL win. The team fought valiantly and our biggest competition appeared to be able to cruise far more than we were able to. We have more games and more competitions we want to compete in this coming year
2. Our squad is only heavily covered in midfield but doesn’t mask issues in defence or attack. Left-back? Striker? Winger? If we have to change our tactic to compensate for an injury then we’ve not managed to build a squad of players towards a collective strategy
3. The best teams aren’t scared to make a couple of types of signings, namely players to come in to compete with another player in a specific position (top players handle pressure) and young players who believe they can progress to displace them (learning from experience)
When Klopp considers his progress and legacy at Liverpool, he is going to look back at key moments. One will be the Dortmund comeback when the club (fans and players) replicated the 'never give up / always believe' mentality for him. Another will be the end of this season, celebrating a hugely successful league campaign and bringing home the biggest trophy in Europe. I would argue that by extension, this summer and season will impact on his memory of that success, because it will either appear the limit of our success or a platform to build for more, and for that we still have to improve.
There is limited disruption losing loan players. But the chance that we might lose, in addition to the dressing room influences of Moreno and Sturridge… Lallana, Mignolet, Lovren, Shaqiri etc. is a lot to replace and be sure to progress from. For continuity you still require some foundation in both the squad and the first-team.
The question I want to pose, is that if you rid the football manager mentalities… how many people can we actually afford to lose, where can you see the team really needing to improve and to what extent?
I would say that we need a left-back, versatile forward and striker. I would also argue that losing any more than two more players from the dressing room would be costly.
A competitor to Robertson at left-back. Someone like Junior Firpo being linked in that he is of an age he can’t expect to be first-choice, but comparable in style of play that he could come in and make a similar contribution until he adapts to the team.
A capable player playing across the front three. It doesn’t need to be Kylian Mbappe in terms of superstar status, but a top player capable of putting pressure on Mane and Salah would be ideal in ensuring that if they lose their form, the team doesn’t suffer as a result.
A foil to Firmino. He is a very individual talent in style of play and his balance of greed and selflessness. We should be looking to find a young talent capable of bridging the gap between Brewster (who is too young and inexperienced to be relied on) and Origi (where you need to adapt the shape to benefit from his skillset). Someone like Timo Werner seems astute.
I would add an experienced goalkeeper should Mignolet leave and a young centre-half if Lovren is sacrificed.
