So there has been plenty been said about Liverpool's transfer dealings this window. Many citing it as the best window we've had in decades, others saying its a real statement of intent and ambition from our club for this upcoming campaign. But, when you look at things a little bit closely...is it really?

For me there were 2 things that meant the difference between Liverpool being contenders and Liverpool being European champions last season. 1. The goalkeeping position. and 2. Strength in depth. At the tail end of undoubtedly, one of the most exciting seasons we've experienced under klopp culminating in the unfortunate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions league final, never were those two factors more apparent than in that game. A half crocked, injury depleted squad and a keeper making two (arguably three) absolute howlers that cost us the game.

Now before we go any further, I do believe we have sorted reason number 1 out. Allison, at least statistically, has been fantastic for Roma. His keeper/sweeping and brilliant distribution suits us down to the ground. As good as his stats may be however, after watching him play I'm absolute certain he will be giving us all some heart attacks this coming campaign...as well as some bad gaffs as well. That's the type of keeper he is. He plays on the edge and takes risk..but ultimately...MUCH better than Karius.

Now we get to the problem that for me...still persists.
Yes, Keita, Fabinho and shaq have been, on the face of at least, brilliant and shrewd signings respectively. When we temper them however, against the players that have left and/or unavailable for us this campaign... I'm not so sure the window is as mind blowingly positive as people are making out. To illustrate what I mean, I'll draw the comparisons between our additions to those that arnt here/available anymore.

Outfield Players In: Keita, Fabinho, Shaq
Outfield Players out/unavailable: Coutinho, Can, Ox

Fabinho: - Can Replacement?

Ok so Fabinho. On paper a very good player for the DM position and most likely bought as a replacement for Emre Can. Now in terms of direct comparison its hard to say as both play slightly differently and Fabinho is as yet unproven in the premier league. One point I would make though is that, if price is any indication of quality, considering we bought Fabinho for �40 million, do we believe we would have sold Emre Can for a comparative or larger figure if he didnt leave on a free? In today's market, I believe we would have done so very easily. Although inconsistent at times, when on song was arguably our best midfielder. Still young and able to improve, it at least puts into question whether this is an upgrade in this position at all. Meaning on the whole, you'd have to say we haven't improved the first 11 with this signing, merely maintained it. I think its quite clear that this is a signing made out of necessity as a result of Can not signing a new deal than a signing made with any intent or "ambition".

Shaquiri -- Bargain replacement for Coutinho?

Now in terms of comparison Shaquiri is the closest of the incoming players in terms of how he plays and positions he takes up on the pitch to coutinho. In this regard I dont think anyone would argue that Shaq is not in the same league as Coutinho. Coutinho is an infinitely better player both objectively and statistically. If Shaq was bought as a replacement for Phil then this is a huge downgrade and definitely does not improve the first 11.

Keita -- Ox??

Now this isnt really a fair comparison, mainly due to the fact that both players are very different in how they approach the game. In terms of their roles in the team however, they both play in similiar areas of the pitch. That being said, in terms of quality and effectiveness *as a midfielder* I would probably give it to Keita. However, the caveat to this is, with the injury to OX and the departure of Coutinho, I really think there is a hole in the squad in terms of either creativity, or direct penetrating runs into the box that Ox or Phil offered, respectively. Although Keita is capable of both of these things, but not in the same way both Ox and Coutinho. When we signed Keita last year it was one I very much welcomed. I thought it was a shrewd buy, what with Milner not getting any younger and lallana being inconsistent/injury prone. In that regard considering Milner's age and the current make-up of the team...there is enough there to make the argument that his signing is again, born out of necessity rather than ambition.

There is much talk about our recent outlay this transfer window as well. Figures being quoted at around 200 million for this past january and this transfer window. When we look at Klopps Net spend during his Tenure though, it comes to �130 million for the 3 years he's been here. You divide that by the 6 transfer windows there has been, it comes to an average of 21.6 million per window....and this isnt even taking into account the 100 million they are planning to recoup by selling some of our fringe players at the end of this one. Not exactly MASSIVE investment, especially when you consider the increase in revenues we've recently got from both the TV deal and the CL success we've had.

In conclusion, when I consider the transfer window I believe we have solved the 1st problem for the most part. Allison is definitely an improvement on Karius. When I look at the squad however, I see very much the same problem in terms of the first team outfield players. We have a very very good first 11 who when fit and all accounted for, is capable of beating any other team comfortably. You scratch a little bit further down however and there is a significant drop off in quality in key areas. We lack quality cover in the CB area and the Left back area. We also lack any *reliable* and *quality* cover for Firmino up top. In the cold light of day, it must be said that this again, is a squad assembled to consolidate top 4 and maybe do well in one of either the domestic cups or the CL from what I can see. I just dont see the adequate quality to significantly push City for the Premier league title.

These are my views. Would love to hear a rebuttal or thoughts on it. Would love to be convinced wrong. Long time reader and contributor returning from a hiatus.

Cheers.

ghost account

?

Long time reader who registered 21.07.2018. Welcome and congrats on long post.

The new signings mean that there is improvement to the strength in depth. Although players have left we will now see a bench containing 3 or 4 players who were regular starters either last season or the season before.

Milner, Lallana, Wijnaldum, Matip and new signing Shaqiri are likely to form a much stronger bench than last season.

I think we need one more attacking option. Now that could be Sturridge or another new signing as Ox is out. Defensively we could do with an upgrade on Klaven but that's about it.

It is a worry should we progress deep into CL and/or be within spitting distance of City or whoever is top come the next transfer window.

But the strengthening of the keeper position should give us as good if not better season than the last one and after that we add depth again as players move on.

I don�t see how the new signings give us strength in depth as they are signings to replace the 3 first team players that left last year. Our �strength in depth� or lack-thereof largely remains the same. If we get the same injuries we did last season we�ll be in exactly the same situation. We haven�t addressed that problem.

This is obviously a new account 😜.

For the subs bench we�ll likely have: Karius, Moreno, Matip, Klavan, Clyne, Gomez, Wijnaldum, Milner, Lallana, Shaqiri, Sturridge

That�s a much deeper squad than we had last year due to the likes of Lallana being unavailable for most of last season. Only place I�d say we�re a bit light on cover is up top as we know Sturridge won�t stay fit, but at the minute we have the likes of Ings, Solanke and Brewster all wanting game time (I know there�s a big drop in quality there) so it�s not like we have no other options.

Then you add the youth players that will be looking to get time in the early Cup rounds - Grujic, Curtis Jones, Woodburn etc. And I think we�re much better off that last season

How can Keita be a replacement for Ox when we bought him before we bought Ox? And if you can�t see we�re stronger now despite who has left you must be blind.

or Spangly!

You know what, anybody can explain anything, it just depends on the perspective. Let me try.

I think everybody will agree that the second half of our season was better than our first, ie when Coutinho was not around, thus I would not include Coutinho in the comparison or also include VVD who you didn't mention at all which makes a big difference when comparing teams. Let's compare then.

We agree the at GK position is a major upgrade at least on paper.

I would say Keita is the replacement of Can as the latter was playing in the most forward position of the attack, a position that Ox was playing as well when Can was off injured for a long time. For me Keita is definitely better than Can in that position. I would even say that the issue regarding Can's signature started after Keita was signed. I would even venture to add (though less relevant) that Coutinho was being moved to the middle with Mane playing on the left and that Keita is better than him in that specific position.

Shaqiri has been bought as somebody to rotate, a role played a lot by Ox last season and for me they are at least comparable.

We never had a true defensive midfielder but it was Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner playing in that position, so Fabinho is being brought as the expert DM.

Last but not least, knowing how players change position in Klopp's system I would not compare player by player but rather the group of midfielders (both attack and defence)between last and the next season. We have only added quality and even if you want to add Coutinho's sale, we are more balanced now. Coutinho was never as effective in the centre as on the left and in fact the competition was with Mane.

However, am I completely happy? No, mainly because I see no rotation/cover with Firmino unless Sturridge surprises us by keeping fit.

Our centre of defence is also of concern if Gomez doesn't confirm the high hopes everybody seems to have on him, I am still not convinced about Lovren. Last, I don't think we have a problem on the left back position

If you're counting Coutinho, you have to count VvD and if you're counting Ox being out, you might as well say Lallana and Sturridge are fit again (this week at least...).

Much better squad and the important thing is quality additions are forming a much stronger first team. Shame we didn't get a fee for Can, but he's never brought a great deal to the table.

Robertson is a revelation at LB. Position sorted.

We can't expect 5-6 first teamers each summer. I hope the incomings perform as they should and next year Klopp will look at a quality long-term partner for VvD and another attacker.

I'm most optimistic due to the quality of signings and Klopp's obvious eye for a player. We're finally getting back to the old '2-3 in, 2-3 out' with the incomings being improvements on the outgoings. Plenty of youth in there too.

Far too eloquent with good spelling and grammar to be Spangles.

He might suddenly have improved?

Hopefully it's Mr G..oh wait.

We're better in defense than we were this time last year, and we're better in midfield than we were this time last year, so we are stronger as a first eleven. However we could do with an additional Center half, a decent backup keeper, and a creative attacking midfielder either Fekir or similar. And yes I agree with the op, we could also do with another left full back to support Robertson. But of course we're in a better place now, than we were this time last year.

A myth would be a strange thing to call it. We signed 3 really good players.

Biggest weakness? Gk. Sorted.

We had Can leaving and Keita is an upgrade. He's quicker off the block, more effective going forwards, better passer, better dribbler, scores more goals, better tackler.

Fabinho is specialist DM, which we have not had in a long time. We've had to shohorn Henderson, Keita, Milner, and Wjinaldum in at various times there, but it isn't their natual position, and really Henderson was the only one who could do it they way Klopp wanted, but there were gaps in his ability to effectively shield the backline.

We have other midfielders: Wjinaldum, Lallana, Milner, Henderson, Ox. Lack of cover isn't an issue, and we have a variety of different types of players there.

As for cover up top, Shaquiri can play on either side, and Mane and Salah have been used in more central positions many times last season. I would like proper cover for Bobby, but I think Shaquiri covers a bigger need. Sturridge can probably manage 10 games or so, and Bobby never seems to get injured.

A myth? No, not really. We don't need to replace Coutinho. We played better without him. The system doesn't have room for a player like him now anyway.

I wouldn't mind another striker or cewntre half, but we look stronger in defense than we have in awhile, and I disagree on fullbacks. Clyne can play LB, and Moreno had his best season in a red shirt before he got injured.

I�ll concede that there are unfair comparisons between players, however I was only drawing those comparisons as per those who have come in and those that have left. I suppose it boils down to the second issue I believe is why we never won anything last year. And that�s strength in depth. You could make an argument that we have improved our first 11. But when multiple injuries hit, as they will tend to do at the end of the season and especially with Klopp�s style of play, will we see the wheels start to come off again? Will we just about get over the line as we have done in previous seasons? The thing I fear is that with can going, Milner getting on, phil gone and now ox out for the season. Are these signings made out of necessity? Are we again, just set up to scrape into top 4? Because we are still aways off of City in my mind.

Looking only at the more DM, when we started last season we had Milner, Wijnaldum, Henderson and Can. Looking at more AM/winger, we had Coutinho, Ox, Salah, Mane (Lallana was injured). So we had 8 players for 5 positions. This year we have added Keita, Fabinho and Shaqiri, Lallana is fit, but lost Coutinho and Can and Ox is injured. Thus we have 9 players for 5 positions. 2 players per position is the maximum you can have else some will move to have game time and if we want to give game time to some of the younger players on our books who are 1 year older, we will easily have 2 players per position. We cannot have more. In addition we have a better defence including the GK. So overall it's a massive improvement. The only part we haven't improved cover is the CF position, unless Sturridge surprises us all.

Apart from Countinho, Klopp's looking to sell squad players. The guys coming in are top quality and generally young first teamers, pushing the previous first teamers out the starting 11.

That's how you improve the team and squad.

We mustnt forget that for a long time Phil was very inconsistent.

Indeed. In fact it was only the last 6-9 months with us that he started to perform week in week out on a regular basis.

Just gonna bump this post up as I feel some points I made have been quite prophetic...I was being too kind in some respects. I think by far our weakest area has been our midfield....the area where everyone was so confident about at the beginning. Turns out my point of us not adding to the depth seems to have born out to be true...no one can say we have improved in that area of the pitch. With Can, Ox and coutinho out, Keita, fabinho and shaquiri have merely plugged the hole, they havent improved things...arguably we have regressed in that area. Defensively and Goalkeeping wise, they are the reason we are where we are in the league. But we must start playing better if we ever want to win anything.

Pat on the back for you sir. Please come back next summer to shed some more of your wisdom on our dealings.

I think one could argue that we now have sufficient quality, on paper, to compete at the top, despite being considerably weaker than some of our competition. However as we can all see we're struggling and scraping to stay in contention.
It seems to me that at least some of our difficulties has to do with a lack of cohesive teamwork, especially through midfield, compounded by a lack of support from midfield to the front players. We look disjointed and unsure of how our attack from the back should progress. I'd put at least some of this confusion down to Klopp's change of tactics this season. It looks as though the players have either not bought into it or that Klopp hasn't properly drilled them in his new approach. Having so many of our best performers all off form simultaneously is most unlikely, if not for the reasons I've suggested above.

If you are adding Coutinho to the equation then VVD should also be included in your analysis. I don't think you would be talking about a myth if Keita had performed as Klopp expected, he waited a whole season for him, I am sure he was supposed to strengthen our midfield much more than he has been able to do so far, midfield is our weak spot this season. Our forwards also are not performing as expected but that doesn't have anything to do with the transfer

That�s where you�re wrong Vish. The front three arnt firing as much because the midfield behind them isn�t doing too well. The high energy press is gone. There is no creativity. So much so that Klopp has to change the system by pulling Firmino back, but it isn�t working. This wouldn�t have happened if he actually did improve the midfield by bringing in a genuine creative midfielder. Therefore the transfers or lack there of suitable ones in that area HAS effected the front three

Ghosty I certainly wouldn�t be patting my self on the back just yet with your predictions, considering we are only 2 points off top and not struggling to make top 4 because �we haven�t strengthened our squad.�

To quote yourself .....�Are we again, just set up to scrape into top 4? Because we are still aways off of City in my mind.�

I believe we are set up to fight for the title in what is a record breaking start to a season for us and city across the board.

I think we have spent 110m on 3 midfielders, one of them at a cut price as he is worth much more. Are you saying we would spend that kind of money without the intention of improving the midfield? Klopp has waited one whole season to get the player he wanted. So we definitely tried to improve. The fact that those players are not performing as expected or we have changed tactics is another matter. That said, if you look at our points tally we have definitely and significantly improved, this is a fact as well. Best start of the season for decades.

We have improved on our points tally in spite of our midfield I dont think anyone can deny that. Largely its been the amazing performances of our defence and goalkeeper that has won us games, which is great. Cant complain about that, long may it continue. That and we are clearly prioritising the league this year. And yeah, Klopp may have intended to improve the midfield, but my point was all those months ago...and has borne out to be true now...we HAVENT strengthened in that area when you consider the players that went out. What everyone was bleating on about to be our strongest area of the pitch, it seems it was only me (on this forum at least) to contradict that thinking.

But mark my words, the way we're playing, there are only so many rolls of the dice that can go your way. City are still a level above us (they were unlucky with that missed penalty at anfield), Arsenal look strong, Chelsea look strong and Tottenham look ok despite not buying anyone and still not having their own stadium. Points wise its still very close and very early with the christmas fixtures coming up. A time of the season we have struggled before. My prediction of "just scraping into the top 4 and doing ok in a domestic cup" might just still come in. And with the way we're scraping results and not looking convincing, would it really be that surprising?

What really worries me is I seen something in Keita in that Napoli game that I really didnt like. He played poorly for the first 20 minutes and then suddenly had a mysterious back injury... we havent seen much of him since then despite him being now fully fit for awhile. Something tells me that Klopp has seen what I saw in him in that game and he's lost a bit of trust.

As I said, more was expected on the midfielders we bought for 110m, we cannot deny the fact that Klopp wanted to improve that area. You say we have lost players, in fact we have lost only Can who was mostly injured during our second half of the season, Coutinho didn't play a single game for us since December, the best period of last season's campaign. The only player we are really missing is Ox who we didn't sell, but is injured. However, I don't think Ox is the best midfield we ever had, he is no Messi. It does look that Keita is not performing as expected as he is supposed to be much better than Ox and Fabinho is supposed to be better than Can, therefore, on paper we have improved our midfield when Shaq is also included, but, there are always chances we take when we buy players, nobody knows how exactly it will pan out. That said, I am not sure if our lack of fluidity is just because Ox is not available but rather the adoption of more cautious tactics that has made us concede less. Also, I don't think that Salah, Mane and Firmino are missing chances they were taking last season because of our midfield. What a better midfield could have done to help Mane score that sitter on Sunday, Salah was scoring extraordinary goals from nowhere last season, but this season he is missing easy goals.