Liverpool targeted 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 way in which and that included overlooking a brand new signing for the defence.
Klopp has beforehand stated, “the scale of the squad will not be that essential to me, the standard of the squad could be very a lot so,” however what does the Reds’ depth seem like for 2023/24?
Right here, we visualise simply that:
You will need to be aware there’s additional versatility all through the squad than proven within the graphic above, however, on this case, simplicity is essential.
What we will 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 crimson card and it’s nonetheless up for debate if the latter is suited to the brand new hybrid function.
The shortcoming to pick out Konate and Van Dijk in opposition to Aston Villa rapidly delivered to mild why followers have been desperate to see defensive additions this summer season, which was additional stretched by Alexander-Arnold’s damage.
The hope is this can rapidly be resolved after the worldwide break, however with Conor Bradley dealing with a spell on the sidelines with a stress damage, 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 dwelling.
Liverpool shouldn’t be on the level of nonetheless needing to have luck on their aspect, because it has not at all times been the case. However right here we’re.
Forward of the defence
Whereas Konate will 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 sector.
One other No. 6 was on the want record 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 provide 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 gives simply that – even when Mac Allister and Szoboszlai are actually 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, after all, may also play on the appropriate however is at dwelling on the left, the place Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez will 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 high 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 in relation to 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 may have executed with additional our bodies in defence, they’ve the ample firepower and piano carriers to trigger any workforce bother.
