Liverpool targeted their summer time consideration on addressing their midfield wants within the switch window, however we’re already seeing Jurgen Kloppās squad depth being examined.
The Reds signed 4 new gamers over the summer time, all of them midfielders after Klopp noticed six of his choices from the earlier season transfer on.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch represented the incomings, whereas the likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and James Milner represented the outgoings.
Liverpoolās each transfer, or lack thereof, within the window was scrutinised alongside the way in which and that included overlooking a brand new signing for the defence.
Klopp has beforehand stated, āthe dimensions of the squad is just not that vital to me, the standard of the squad may be very a lot so,ā however what does the Redsā depth seem like for 2023/24?
Right here, we visualise simply that:
It is very important observe there’s additional versatility all through the squad than proven within the graphic above, however, on this case, simplicity is essential.
What we are able to see and have already witnessed within the opening few matches is that the defence all however picks itself if match and accessible.
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson are the first-choice defence, and have been for some time now.
Past that, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas can be found as back-up choices, the previous trio now we have seen greater than anticipated due to accidents and a crimson card and it’s nonetheless up for debate if the latter is suited to the brand new hybrid position.
The lack to pick Konate and Van Dijk towards Aston Villa shortly dropped at mild why followers had been desperate to see defensive additions this summer time, which was additional stretched by Alexander-Arnoldās damage.
The hope is this can shortly be resolved after the worldwide break, however with Conor Bradley going through a spell on the sidelines with a stress damage, it takes solely knock to the No. 66 earlier than Gomez is required at right-back.
Klopp has been tried and examined within the defensive division earlier than ā all of us keep in mind 2020/21, donāt we ā and the supervisor admitting Liverpool want āluck with accidentsā hit too near house.
Liverpool shouldn’t be on the level of nonetheless needing to have luck on their aspect, because it has not at all times been the case. However right here we’re.
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Forward of the defence
Whereas Konate will be the solely first-team centre-back signed since that 2020/21 season, the midfield and assault have been tended to, offering Klopp with choices additional up the sector.
One other No. 6 was on the want checklist for a lot of this summer time, however Klopp seems content material with Mac Allister persevering with to supply his companies along with Endo, who nonetheless has some adjusting to do.
Szoboszlai and Gravenberch supply additional versatility within the midfield positions, with Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic and, at instances, Cody Gakpo additionally providing totally different choices.
With Klopp having famous the must be unpredictable, the brand new system along with versatile midfield profiles presents simply that ā even when Mac Allister and Szoboszlai are actually two first-choice starters.
One other assured starter is Mohamed Salah, who has the likes of Ben Doak, Harvey Elliott and even Szoboszlai as deputies if and when the necessity ever arises.
Luis Diaz, after all, also can play on the best however is at house on the left, the place Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez may also be deployed.
Liverpoolās assault is enviable for its menace and flexibility, a lethal mixture that has been buoyed by the profiles added in midfield, which has injected creativity and recent legs.
The Reds have among the finest attacking choices in Europe and so they do look high heavy when assessing the depth of the squad, the very last thing you need is constant kamikaze soccer.
As Klopp has already alluded to, Liverpool do want luck in relation to accidents ā particularly in defence ā however they do have a squad that’s able to reaching one thing this season.
What that’s stays to be seen, however whereas it’s clear that Liverpool may have performed with additional our bodies in defence, they’ve the sufficient firepower and piano carriers to trigger any group bother.