Liverpool Summer Squad Ideas
Liverpool have to make some significant changes this summer to continue the improvement they have shown. The most important area of the pitch is the midfield. Last year, the Spurs had one of the worst defenses but were constantly bailed out by their goalkeeper. They solved all of their problems and created the best defense in the league by putting a Dier/Dembele double pivot with Alli being able to cover. When at the end of the season two of them got suspended and Ryan Mason had to start like he did last year, everything imploded. This is important because the Spurs are the most team like what Liverpool are trying to achieve. Fix the midfield and the defense looks better with more cover (and we saw that even despite not having the quality of players we need).
Liverpool only have one midfielder in Emre Can who we know can play in a double pivot. Jordan Henderson is a maybe because he struggled at times adjusting to the role and his injury. That was the best combo and gave the midfield balance and was central to the best run of form. Joe Allen would be perfect if he was just a little bit taller and did not get injured enough. Klopp did not seem to trust him to be part of a midfield two. I love Allen but he is too good to only just occasionally come off the bench to make a difference. Lucas has been one of my favorite players since I have become a fan but he is too old and can only play in a midfield three at this point of his career. James Milner is not able to play in a double pivot because he vacates his position too much . He is great when playing wide or at least good when played as a midfield three but he cannot do this job. Kevin Stewart is servicable or the English Coquelin as I like to call him but he is not really a starter in any sense of the world. Liverpool need someone that can partner with Can who seems to be taking more of the defensive responsibility. The midfield lacks someone being able to receive the ball between the lines, under pressure, while keeping up a good possession structure that makes everything works. Neither Can or Henderson are good at that part of the game. There are rumors about Liverpool getting Piotr Zielinski who learned to do those things at Empoli but while playing in a midfield diamond. He is either 5′9 and 5′10 and he might be able to do that job but he would still need time to adjust to the position and the physicality. Maybe Marko Grujic can fill that job but he probably needs to adjust (then again the same could be said of Dele Alli and Julian Weigl and they were some of the most impressive players despite being teenagers. I look also love to have a defensive midfielder like Ignacio Camacho because while Can has done really well in that job lately, there is only Stewart and Lucas who theoretically could play, but also a few months we did not expect Can to be good at this job. Basically, Liverpool needs to start again with their midfield construction.
Probably most importantly Liverpool need a better goalkeeper. By expected goals, Liverpool were one of the better defenses by chances given up but gave up a crazy amount of goals. We have enough evidence that Mignolet is not good enough and if Liverpool only had an average goalkeeper performance out of him this year then Liverpool would have finished in the top four. Loris Karius would be a great choice even though I feel like that would only give Mignolet a short leash at the start of the year before he messes up again at some point like he did the last two of the year. I just need a long term goalkeeper. I like Moreno more than most but it might be time to get a better longer term fit for left back. Jonas Hector would be a dream choice. With Sakho probably being suspended for a long time we need more help for our center backs. We really need one anyway. Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure are probably done. It has been a long time coming as if you take away the games Skrtel has played in defense, Liverpool would have a good defensive record and everyone would be less depressed. Kolo has been incredible this year and I really wish we would have won something with him. That leaves Joe Gomez who is coming off a major injury and is still only a teenager. We cannot really expect too much of him but having him at fullback will limit our attack too much. We have Dejan Lovren and we do not know how great he is as he still makes mistakes but we will need him. Finally, we have Joel Matip who I really like and will benefit from not being in the chaotic situation of Schalke. I would love to get one of Musafi, Tah, and Sule to come in and partner Matip or Lovren. However, we need to get someone in. Maybe even get in Subotic as the veteran defense back but with better potential than someone like Kolo.
Finally, I feel like when it comes to attack we are pretty good. I think we should sell Benteke and it seems like West Ham will have to settle as him being the best option after they cannot get their top targets. Benteke is not a good fit even though he played and produced at the same level as he always did at Vila. Sturridge, Origi, and Ings is a great striker force. Maybe getting in someone like Kevin Volland who fits what we want but can play anywhere in the front four if we really want four strikers. Or maybe a pacy winger that can also play up front. We have Coutinho and Firmino as great building blocks and Lallana is the perfect backup as he can play anywhere behind the striker. We do need more quality for when he have to break down defenses and are able to play in small spaces. Being able to train more will help as players figure out how to work together. The improvement from that will make so much difference. I still want Mario Götze though.