Despite plenty of opportunities, Liverpool’s squad still needs a lot of work.
When Jurgen Klopp agreed to become Liverpool’s next manager in October 2015, he knew there was a lot of work to be done with the squad he inherited. But after four transfer windows, and with plenty of problems remaining, has the German failed his audition at Anfield?
Before Liverpool fans jump to Klopp’s defence, it is clear he has them playing some wonderful attacking football and there are plenty of reasons to be positive.
That said, the former Borussia Dortmund boss has failed to repair some glaring holes in his squad, and with four separate transfer windows to do that, one has to ask why the issues remain?
We all know the problems surrounding Liverpool’s ill-fated pursuit of Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk this summer. But the Dutchman is not the only quality defender in the Premier League, with plenty more spread across Europe.
And yet Liverpool opted not to sign anyone of note in that area, sticking with Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan.
Question marks also remain over the goalkeeping options at Anfield, while Liverpool’s full-backs continue to divide opinion, especially in the absence of Nathaniel Clyne.
It made sense for Klopp to assess Liverpool’s squad during his first season at the helm, and things were not going to resolve themselves with a single summer window.
However, the best managers identify problems and set about rectifying them, and by now Liverpool should have a back line that matches the quality of their attack.
That is certainly not the case, and when you also consider that Klopp is yet to coach that killer instinct in players that should be tearing most opposition to shreds, it is a question that should at least be asked.
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