Liverpool's new German on the block, Jurgen Klopp, was brought into Anfield with one plan & one plan only -- to make the club a driving force to be reckoned with once again. We all figured success this season would be a bit of a stretch for Kloppo, who was faced with a squad of players in tatters following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers. Even though two major achievements remain a possibility this year, it was always going to be a summer 2016 rebuilding project. Klopp's players, Klopp's style of play, and a fresh season to start anew.
This summer is going to be gigantic for everyone involved at Liverpool. The owners are expected to hand Jurgen the highest transfer kitty of any previous manager before him. We simply cannot afford to mess this one up. In this blog, I will list five of the MAIN decisions Klopp HAS TO get right this summer in order to kick start the 2016/17 season positively.
1. Get rid of mediocre players on high wage bills.
Liverpool left back Jose Enrique has not made a SINGLE league appearance this season and his absence is nothing to do with injuries. Enrique is currently earning approx. 75,000 a week, EXACTLY THE SAME as undoubtedly Liverpool's best player in Philippe Coutinho. Now, if I were Philippe looking at these numbers, I'd sprint for a word with my agent, especially also considering 'FLOPS' Martin Skrtel and Benteke are on 75,000 and 140,000 respectively.
There will no doubt be a mass clear-out of 'dead wood' this summer with the likes of Mignolet, Toure, Lucas, Teixeira, amongst many more joining Jose' and Skrtel on Klopp's list. A rough estimation of 80 million is expected to come in from transfers out of the club, as the below list shows more clearly:
- Mignolet – £10 million
- Bogdan – £1 million
- Skrtel – £6 million
- Ilori – £3 million
- Wisdom – £3 million
- Lucas – £8 million
- Allen – £8 million
- Rossiter – £3 million
- Teixeira – £2 million
- Alberto – £5 million
- Balotelli – £8 million
- Sinclair – £3 million
- Benteke – £20 million
Total: £80 million
2. Sort out Liverpool's Captaincy Issues
Some may argue Jordan Henderson is not a natural born leader. A few reports are emerging that Klopp may even look to sell our captain in order to free up funds for new signings to replace him. My personal opinion is, that Jordan Henderson remains a pivotal player in the heart of our midfield and he keeps improving season after season. (I am a huge Hendo fan)
BUT!..... Jordan is not captain material. I do not see the Northern lad possess a quarter of the characteristics Stevie showed whilst captaining the reds. He is not a natural born leader and when the going gets tough, Hendo tends to shy away from the situation instead of taking the bull by the horns.
So... to the main question. Who should captain Klopp's new Liverpool? Milner? Lucas? Sakho? Emre Can? Possibly a new signing? Have your say in the comments below!
3. Give Coutinho a new 450 YEAR CONTRACT!
At just 23, Philippe Coutinho is one of the Premier League's biggest stars. Seeing recent pictures of him sharing a joke or a laugh with the likes of Neymar and Suarez worries me enough to the point of guessing the inevitable: Barca WILL come with a bumper sized offer for our little magician. This is the reason Klopp has to act fast and secure the Brazilian's services for the long run.
We lose Coutinho - we turn into a selling team. Past 'stars' leaving for big money moves such as Suarez and Sterling tested our resolve and if we are actually still the big English club every player dreams of joining. Losing Coutinho would be the final straw. Get to it, Jurgen!
4. Sign the 'MARQUEE' Proven Player everyone loses their mind over
Christian Benteke, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, etc... were all brought in for big money, yet each one lacked something in particular... proven talent! They all played for 'mid-table' teams who did not really give a toss whether they win or lose on the weekend as long as they cemented that mid-table position come May.
What Liverpool do need is that one man to come in and immediately stamp their authority in this league, someone to make such an impact the Kop will be losing sleep over trying to find a new chant to scream out every weekend. We haven't had that for quite some time.
Anyone heard of a certain Mario Gotze? Score the winner for the Germans in the World Cup final a while back, didn't he?
5. Getting Deals Done BEFORE the Euros This Summer
The Euros are a massive stepping stone for certain players before the respective league seasons commence. Clubs may shoot your price tag sky high if you perform well, not so high if you fail to live up to expectations.... or get yourself injured.
Whereas price tags are concerned, it is of UTMOST importance that Klopp gets his main signings in BEFORE the said players jet off to France in June. Whether we are talking about a Gotze, Morata, Gundogan, Reus or Hummel, the same counts for every Euro competitor we are interested in. Failing to do this could mean we face the uphill struggle of paying an extra 20-30 million for a player we may have secured on the cheap had we not messed around.
Let's not forget that confirming a signing before a huge competition like the Euros boosts the player's morals and confidence greatly, in contrast to a player with their head not exactly in the right place due to constant speculation regarding their future at club level. Acting as swiftly as possible is a necessity!
Klopp's summer rebuilding project begins now. He has only had a few months' taste of English football and has already got his soldiers fully firing on occasions. (4-1 at the Etihad, 6-1 capitulation of the Saints to name two) His best is yet to come and I am 120 % certain we will see THE NEW and IMPROVED Liverpool under Klopp once the first whistle blows at the beginning of next August.
Till then we can look forward to an emotional Europa League quarter final clash against Klopp's ex team Dortmund and a final push for a top four Premier League place. An interesting European Championships will follow suite, then we can start our final preparations and last push for August and Jurgen Klopp's first FULL season in charge of Liverpool FC.
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YNWA!!
