22 Apr 2016 13:45:26
As a few others have pointed out our form over the last two months has been excellent, we're playing the football we hoped for when Klopp arrived and, if we keep it up, we're in for an excellent season next year. This form shows that, despite the consensus for most of the season, we actually have a pretty good squad, not perfect of course but better than most have gave credit. In line with that, for no better reason than it's a Friday, I thought I'd do my review of the squad ahead of the summer.

Strikers - The competition between Origi and Sturridge is a wonderful thing for Liverpool but poses interesting questions going forward. I believe Sturridge is the more talented player but Origi's game seems suited to a Klopp team and if he continues his recent form as a genuine goal threat he may stay above Sturridge in the pecking order, how Sturridge would react to that I'll leave for others to speculate. How a fit Ings fits in next season I'm not sure, he seems suited to a Klopp team but Klopp usually plays one striker so his game time may be limited. Lastly we have Benteke who I think must leave this summer, there's a wonderful player in there but Origi's doing the job we wanted him to do and Liverpool don't need him anymore. I wouldn't replace him either, three strikers and Firmino as a back up should be sufficient. Maybe we look for the next bright young thing as a development player but that should be it.

Forwards - Our current forwards are Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana, Milner, Ojo and Ibe. There is a lot of class in that group but, so far, none are truly exceptional. Coutinho and Firmino have the talent but are young and inconsistent, Lallana has all the skill in the world but lacks impact, Milner is starting to show us why he's so valued at every club he's played at but will never be a special player whilst Ibe and Ojo are still developing. A targeted transfer in this area could take Liverpool up a level again. If that did happen then I think someone would have to make way. Milner has shown how valuable he is to the squad so I'd keep him, Lallana is a great player but of our other forwards he is the least likely to step up another level. Of course we could keep everyone but that would restrict opportunities for Ojo or Ibe which I wouldn't like to see.

Midfield - This will be another interesting area to watch this summer. We currently have Henderson, Can, Lucas, Allen and Stewart there with Grujic to come (plus a few more youngsters) . I like the pairing of Can and Henderson and I think they deserve the chance to have a season as first choice (they've only started 13 games together this season in the league) but neither are 'string pullers' so there's a chance Klopp could bring in someone else here. As for the remainder I cannot see both Allen and Lucas being here next season, there simply isn't room. Up until recently Allen was the obvious one to go but he's really stepped up his game and, whilst Lucas can claim injury in mitigation, if you had to choose one today you'd be tempted to go with Allen.

CBs - This summer we'll see Toure depart which is sad, it was fascinating to watch Sakho going over to the subs bench after scoring to celebrate with him, he's clearly a hugely popular character. This will leave us with Sakho, Lovren, Skrtel, Matip with Gomez as the development player. Skrtel's time is done, Sakho and Lovren are clearly ahead of him and the arrival of Matip will probably push him further down the pecking order. He may be kept as a reserve but I expect him to leave. If that was to happen we would need another defender and this is where it gets interesting. We could get another backup/ development player or we could go for a starter. Sahko and Lovren both have a lot of qualities and if they're the starting pair next season I would be fine with that but I do think we can improve on them. My favorite Liverpool defender was Hyypia and I'd love us to get someone who exuded the same sense of confidence, authority and reliability that he did, I have no one in mind but if there was someone of that quality out there I'd love to bring them in.

FBs - Currently we have Clyne, Moreno, Flanagan and Smith. I'm more than happy to let Clyne and Flanagan battle to be first choice on the right but the left needs some work. I think Klopp values the attacking support Moreno provides on the left wing but would prefer a more defensive option as an alternative which I don't think Smith is. Expect someone to come in this summer and don't be surprised if it's Smith that moves on not Moreno.

GK - Mignolet, Mignolet, Mignolet, have Liverpool ever had a less valued goalkeeper? We all know that Mignolet is less than perfect but what cannot be denied is that he's been perfectly adequate for a while now. The question for Klopp and Liverpool is how much of a priority is it to replace him and can the money required to upgrade him be spent better elsewhere? The jungle drums are that we're not looking for a replacement although a new rival may be on the cards. What this means for Ward I don't know, perhaps Ward can convince the club that he's that rival and we won't bring in anyone else but if we do buy someone he may move on, he's too good to be a number three.

1.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 14:21:43
Very good summary, muscatred, there's not much I would disagree with.

On the winger question, I suspect (although am not pleased that) Ibe may be the one to go, as Klopp rates Lallana for being more experienced. I suspect that Praet or Silva will be the replacement.

I get what you mean about Migs. He's not in the same league as De Gea or Courtois or Cech, but he's no 'Calamity James', at least not recently. I actually liked what I saw of Ward, so a cup run next year for him, with no other additions (or maybe an older backup as 3rd keeper should either get injured) would be fine in my opinion.

I'm a lot more excited about our team than a few months ago, which seems to prove that the players are generally good with the chance to be exceptional (by and large) and it was the manager and ethos that needed to change.

2.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 14:43:42
I largely agree. Just a few things I might add though:

1. Ings will just replace Benteke in the squad. Klopp has been playing with 2 strikers for over a month now. Firmino-Origi, Origi-Sturridge and Sturridge-Firmino have all been trialled. Which brings to my second point.

2. Firmino is clearly seen as a striker by Klopp. He hasn't played anywhere else in about 3 months. At one point he was leading the line alone.

3. If we were to bring in another wide player I don't think Lallana or Milner would leave. Klopp really likes them both. I actually think it would be Ibe who bites the bullet. Personally I don't see any need, but Rafa Silva is apparently of interest. He is a left winger though which would make him back up for Coutinho. Lallana has been used almost exclusively on the right by Klopp. So replacing him with a left winger would make little sense. I see no reason to add or sell any players in our selection of attackers and wingers as Ojo can play both sides. I also don't get the Markovic loving. He's had a pretty average season in a below average league.

4. Smith has just signed a new contract. If either players leaves my money is on Moreno.

5. I don't see the point in having 5 centre backs. Sakho, Lovren, Matip and Gomez is plenty when Klopp has shown he has faith in Lucas deputising there. Matip is coming to replace Toure. Against Bournemouth Klopp showed he now has Lucas ahead of Skrtel at centre back. So we may even see Lucas dropped to a full time cover for the centre of defence with Grujic replacing him in midfield as an option.

6. I would sell neither Lucas or Allen. They have proven to be vital squad players.

I think with Grujic and Matip already here next season, we will probably add a Keeper and a left back to replace Bogdan and Moreno. Hopefully Bogdans replacement is good enough to relegate Mignolet to the bench. It looks like a wide player will come in too and force Ibe out the door, sadly. He is already behind Coutinho, Milner, Lallana and now Ojo in the pecking order. Aside from that I don't think we'll do any more business unless we can get a world class player in. As I said earlier, I'd replace Clyne instead of replacing Ibe but I don't think that's what will happen.

3.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 14:54:03
Thanks Zedd, my worry for Ibe is that the club decides it doesn't need both Ojo and him and allows him to move on. I'm still rooting for him though as there's something about him I really like.

4.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 15:25:20
Good summary of the Squad.

My question is have we given up on Ilori. I get he hasn't been the messiah we all believed, and looks far from first team quality right now. But he is still young and looks to have all the attributes to be a really good ball playing centre back.

If Klopp can make a young Origi who looked so raw, so far from ready and came back from a bad loan, into the player he is now. Why can't he do the same with Ilori?

{Ed002's Note - I would certainly expect Ilori to move on in the summer.}

5.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 15:26:04
Yeah i do agree with most of that post to be honest.

The striker situation is only going to get better with time, its clear klopp has found a way of getting the best out of what he has and has even proved us all wrong on origi. Sturridge, origi and ings should be enough, and whereas benteke has the potential to be a brilliant player, it is quite obvious he is going to leave for various reasons. Personally i believe all the strikers we have are brilliant and will only get better over time.

Our forwards is the real problem area for me because they all have flaws to an extent and its impossible to work out who is best. I think coutinho and firmino are both flawed but, again, will get better as they play together in the side, hopefully klopp can get firmino to start taking more risks and put on more weight. Milner has improved in the second half of the year and has made a case for staying, but is on extremely high wages and still slows the play down too much imo. Lallana is very tidy but also slows the play down with incessant cruyff turns and rarely contributes directly. As much as he slots in into a coherent 11 i don't think he contributes enough. Ojo and ibe are still young and i don't expect to see either sold, maybe loaned. Markovic and kent could be given chances. Buying a top winger would be a good move and could happen.

Klopp said kolo has a future so maybe he could stay, whereas skrtel should leave. We should give lucas a contract extension to take the other centre back position and we also have gomez.

Clyne needs to be pushed more but moreno is just so insufferable and idiotic in every facet of his play he needs to go. He is a headless chicken and a disaster waiting to happen in every game. I'd like to see smith and flanagan provide backup but a new first choice left back bought.

Agree with sentiments on midfield, allen has been decent so maybe a short extension, we do need a different variety of midfielder though in terms of both playmaking and defensive midfield as our options there are all too similar, so someone could leave. Henderson and Can both need to contribute more goals too.

Ward could be used in cup games effectively but i do think a new goalkeeper to replace mignolet is needed, he is like moreno, a disaster waiting to happen.

Overall i think our squad just needs to be tweaked for a great next season.

6.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 15:31:20
You have title aspirations? Then migs has to go. We need a 10 points a season gk if we want any chance of doing better than this season. Its pretty much end of discussion. Perfectly adequate is not good enough for our dreams.

7.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 14:34:03
Agree on the winger part Zeddius. I believe we need a specialist holding midfielder with fine passing range. That is not Grujic in all honesty. I am not sure who is making room for this player but without the player we will conced goals and our full backs would look poor.
I love Moreno and simple as that. Cracking left foot, excellent pace, could beat a man and he is not just hit and run. Moreover Klopp loves offensive full backs and always prefered someone over traditional Ivanovic type.
Moreno links up with Coutinhon is brilliant. He gets very little help from Coutinho tracking back is the real issue there.

Rest is spot on mate.

8.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 16:59:03
MK, I'd be interested to hear what others say but I disagree with you about Firmino. When he plays with sturridge or origi I think he plays in a central but withdrawn role. I wouldn't class that as playing him as a striker. We may just be arguing semantics.

9.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 17:33:10
Klopp has said today he wants Toure to stay and expects him to stay and that Liverpool is a big part of his future. Also said he is "one of the most impressive people" he has ever met.
Clearly very popular at the club, coaching role maybe an option but looks like Jurgen wants to keep Kolo around.

10.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 17:59:21
Yeah it's very subjective mustcatred. Ed002 always says formations and player positions are nothing more than where they stand at kick off. We obviously just see his role differently. No big deal though. Football is an opinions game ;)

11.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 18:11:23
The days of being adequate are OVER. If you wanna win the PL, then you`re having a laugh if Mingo is you no 1 choice GK. He has cost us at least ten points this year while a DDG is winning Utd 10 points per season. Spot the difference. I would keep Toure before I keep Skrtel as we are finally done with him. As for Studge and Origi, if studge can not deal with a bit of competition for places then he should go. Origi is here to take his place so he`d better step his game up and meet the challenge because Origi will not let up and neither should Studge. He should grow a backbone and fight for his place because there will be NO free lunches under Klopp.

12.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 18:27:02
The only thing I disagree with is Migs.
I don't want a 'perfectly adequate' 'keeper'.
There's no 2 ways about it, he's cost us far more points than he's earned us,
He might not be a calamity James as such, but he's still the same keeper who can't kick for toffee, holds onto the ball for 20 seconds, never comes out of his box and hates crosses with a passion.
As a guy, he seems likeable enough, but if we have serious aspirations for next season, I don't see Mignolet as the long term option.
You can put a suit on a goat but.

13.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 19:41:07
Paulo, Ohio and Dave have it spot on. Mignolet will cost us any chance of competing at the highest level.

14.) 22 Apr 2016
22 Apr 2016 20:59:40
I can see Mings staying on. He has taken some steps since Klopp came. Think Ward will get cup games next year, hopefully challenging for a starting place in 18 months. Mings in current form does not cost us points, especially since we decided to do some actual defending on set pieces.

15.) 23 Apr 2016
23 Apr 2016 01:30:17
You've fallen for the Mignolet trap.

He will have some good games, he will make some decent saves, but sooner or later he will drop a massive clanger mark my words.
Don't think because we beat Dortmund that Mignolet is a suddenly a competent goalkeeper, he isn't.