- Liverpool have once again strengthened their squad across the summer window
- Jurgen Klopp has brought in a new goalkeeper and added to his midfield ranks
- That investment brings pressure though and the Reds must win a trophy soon
- Klopp has played in three finals during his Liverpool reign and lost all of them
Jurgen Klopp simply has to win something this year after spending a huge amount of money
It did not take too long for Jurgen Klopp to admit it when the question was posed last month. Adam Lallana concurred. Liverpool, with all the money spent, now have to win trophies.
‘It is the next step and we need to be ready for that,’ Klopp said. ‘I cannot give guarantees here but I understand if people think that.’
Of course there are no guarantees. They could not have foreseen Mo Salah trudging off in the Champions League final or the catastrophic performance of Loris Karius against Real Madrid.
But Liverpool now have to prepare themselves for expectations to soar through the roof. Klopp simply has to win something this year after losing three finals – the Champions League, Europa League and League Cup – during his three years as manager.
The German has been backed to the hilt in the transfer market by Fenway Sports Group, with a splurge of £250million taking in the most expensive centre half and goalkeeper in world football.
Allison and Virgil van Dijk give the Reds a base they simply have not had for years and, while the spending is offset by the big-money departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, it now demands silverware
They are now lavishing the sort of finance that the Manchester clubs possess and with that comes additional, and warranted, pressure. Liverpool’s success should now be held against City and United because of the resources ploughed into the team.
Klopp brought in the most expensive defender in world football in Virgil van Dijk in January
Alisson (pictured) and Van Dijk give the Reds a base they simply have not had for years
Klopp knows that and nobody at Anfield has shied away from the facts. ‘It’s a really exciting time,’ Lallana said. ‘I’m delighted to be at a top club like Liverpool that are going to be challenging for trophies again and I’m looking forward to playing for England again.
‘For my club, I just want to take the next step now. We’ve been in a few finals that we haven’t been victorious in and that needs to change.
Fabinho forms just one part of the huge midfield investment at Anfield alongside Naby Keita
Even if Salah failed to hit the heights of his debut season, ending with 44 goals, he is sure to chip in with a decent number. Those around him, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, need to do their fair share too. Xherdan Shaqiri has the sort of X-Factor from the bench that can change games.
But it is in midfield where the added power and gusto should come. Naby Keita, a £53m signing from Red Bull Leipzig, has taken Steven Gerrard's iconic No 8 shirt and is expected to be the one charged with joining in further up the pitch.
Fabinho is the sort of capture that will offer a soothing influence in the midfield three, the sort of ball player Liverpool have not seen in quite some time. They have all the tools. Anything less than silverware this season must go down as a failure on Merseyside.
No comments:
Post a Comment