Liverpool centered their summer season consideration on addressing their midfield wants within the switch window, however we’re already seeing Jurgen Klopp‘s squad depth being examined.
The Reds signed 4 new gamers over the summer season, all of them midfielders after Klopp noticed six of his choices from the earlier season transfer on.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch represented the incomings, whereas the likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and James Milner represented the outgoings.
Liverpool’s each transfer, or lack thereof, within the window was scrutinised alongside the best way and that included overlooking a brand new signing for the defence.
Klopp has beforehand mentioned, “the scale of the squad just isn’t that vital to me, the standard of the squad may be very a lot so,” however what does the Reds’ depth appear to be for 2023/24?
Right here, we visualise simply that:
It is very important observe there’s additional versatility all through the squad than proven within the graphic above, however, on this case, simplicity is vital.
What we are able to see and have already witnessed within the opening few matches is that the defence all however picks itself if match and accessible.
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson are the first-choice defence, and have been for some time now.
Past that, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas can be found as back-up choices, the previous trio we have now seen greater than anticipated due to accidents and a pink card and it’s nonetheless up for debate if the latter is suited to the brand new hybrid position.
The shortcoming to pick Konate and Van Dijk towards Aston Villa rapidly dropped at gentle why followers have been desirous to see defensive additions this summer season, which was additional stretched by Alexander-Arnold’s harm.
The hope is this can rapidly be resolved after the worldwide break, however with Conor Bradley going through a spell on the sidelines with a stress harm, it takes solely knock to the No. 66 earlier than Gomez is required at right-back.
Klopp has been tried and examined within the defensive division earlier than – all of us keep in mind 2020/21, don’t we – and the supervisor admitting Liverpool want “luck with accidents” hit too near house.
Liverpool shouldn’t be on the level of nonetheless needing to have luck on their facet, because it has not at all times been the case. However right here we’re.
Forward of the defence
Whereas Konate would be the solely first-team centre-back signed since that 2020/21 season, the midfield and assault have been tended to, offering Klopp with choices additional up the sphere.
One other No. 6 was on the want checklist for a lot of this summer season, however Klopp seems content material with Mac Allister persevering with to supply his providers along with Endo, who nonetheless has some adjusting to do.
Szoboszlai and Gravenberch supply additional versatility within the midfield positions, with Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic and, at occasions, Cody Gakpo additionally providing completely different choices.
With Klopp having famous the should be unpredictable, the brand new system along with versatile midfield profiles presents simply that – even when Mac Allister and Szoboszlai at the moment are two first-choice starters.
One other assured starter is Mohamed Salah, who has the likes of Ben Doak, Harvey Elliott and even Szoboszlai as deputies if and when the necessity ever arises.
Luis Diaz, in fact, can even play on the precise however is at house on the left, the place Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez may also be deployed.
Liverpool’s assault is enviable for its risk and flexibility, a lethal mixture that has been buoyed by the profiles added in midfield, which has injected creativity and recent legs.
The Reds have a number of the finest attacking choices in Europe they usually do look prime heavy when assessing the depth of the squad, the very last thing you need is constant kamikaze soccer.
As Klopp has already alluded to, Liverpool do want luck on the subject of accidents – particularly in defence – however they do have a squad that’s able to attaining one thing this season.
What that’s stays to be seen, however whereas it’s clear that Liverpool might have executed with further our bodies in defence, they’ve the ample firepower and piano carriers to trigger any staff bother.
