It may be early days yet but the signs are encouraging. Although the maniacal joy of Liverpool fans at the arrival of Jurgen Klopp as manager of Liverpool has somewhat cooled, there is certainly a fresh feeling of optimism pervading the air around Anfield.
As the January transfer window beckons, the Kop faithful would be fervently hoping that their manager signs a number of players whom they hope would help the club push for at least a top four finish, never mind if such thought are considered fanciful at best by clear-eyed pragmatists.
After a Gegenpress-charged goalless draw versus Spurs, arguably the youngest and fittest team in the division, defeats to the likes of Watford, Crystal Palace and Newcastle has tempered the unusually high expectations that trailed the giant German’s appointment in October.
While certain members of the team have impressed so far, others have struggled to adapt to Klopp’s high-intensity style in addition to those still sidelined with injuries.
Heading the casualty list is Daniel Sturridge. The England international has barely featured this season, and even less during the former Dortmund coach’s nascent tenure so far.
Danny Ings and Divock Origi are other notable absentees via injury. How sorely the Reds miss the aforementioned trio especially the first two. Danny Ings, despite still being injured, still maintains the lead as the club’s player with the highest shot-accuracy (10 shots, 71% shot accuracy).
Despite Christian Benteke being the club’s top scorer in the Premier League with 6 goals, he has been largely unconvincing and has looked uncomfortable in Klopp’s set-up. So who should Liverpool go for in January?
Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Carragher believes that the club needs 4 players; ‘If I was Klopp, I’d be thinking goalkeeper, 2 centre-backs and a holding midfield player.’
The Kop legend continued; ‘Forget the City and Chelsea wins this season, you play the top teams once in a month, there’s only 4 or 5 of them. But Newcastle and Watford, they are the types of teams you play, week in, week out, and I think they have been a major shock to Klopp. This is what the Premier League is like and Liverpool haven’t got the players to cope in those games.’
Candid words from the former Kop captain but who should Liverpool target in January? Simon Mignolet has not exactly inspired confidence in between the sticks this season. The Belgian has been adjudged culpable for some goals conceded by the Reds in recent matches.
His back-up, Adam Bogdan has been worse. Although manager Jurgen Klopp has backed his keeper, with rumours rife that Mignolet is set to sign a new deal, speculations linking Liverpool to Jack Butland have refused to dissipate.
The Stoke City shot stopper has been brilliant this season for the Potters this season, keeping 7 clean sheets and boasting the Division’s highest save percentage (80.95%) as well as pulling off some jaw-dropping saves.
While manager Mark Hughes remains adamant that his player is not for sale it is believed that a big offer might tempt him to cash in on the England international.
Maybe January might be too soon to prise Butland away from the Brittania, making another keeper a more realistic target. Olympic Marseille’s captain, Steve Mandanda has also been linked to Liverpool.
The France international’s contract is expected to expire at the end of the current season and may yet be a cheaper alternative to Butland.
Schalke’s Joel Matip and Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic are two centre-backs that have been linked with Liverpool. According to reports, Klopp may raid his former club for Subotic’s signature given Martin Skrtel’s injury in the 0-3 loss to Watford.
Due to a lack of options at the back, Klopp’s hand may be forced. Should a team with 6 strikers on their books make a move for one more? Well, if your name is Liverpool and you are facing the same predicament as the club is facing, especially in the striking department, then you may have to take drastic decisions, especially being that the team’s fortunes at the end of the season hinges for a large part on the number of goals scored.
Daniel Sturridge is perennially injured, Danny Ings is out for a considerably lengthy period, Divock Origi, while possessing a lot of endeavor, isn’t quite yet the finished product, Christian Benteke is not yet adapting to Klopp’s style while Roberto Firmino’s goal drought remains head-scratchingly inexplicable.
The Brazilian, a £29m acquisition from Hoffenheim in the summer hasn’t yet set the Premier League alight with goals.
Pierre Emerick Aubayemang anyone? Well, it is not as though we do not know that the current African Player of the Year would not come cheap. Currently scoring goals for fun at Klopp’s former club, Dortmund, it would take a massive fee in the excess of £40m to bag his signature. Would Klopp be willing to break the bank for PEA?
Hear the Normal One; “I think it is pretty cool to sit on that side of the table and only think of ‘bring in new players’. I hope your company is not always thinking of bringing 2 or 3 new guys for your job. I said it before that I’m not 1% in doubt about the quality of this squad. That’s what I thought in October when I came here and now we have December- my mind didn’t change every two days.”
Serbian U-21 international, Marko Grujic is expected to be Klopp’s first signing. The Red Star Belgrade midfielder, a £5m buy is expected to be loaned back to the club until the end of the season. Whether that would be the first or only signing in January remains to be seen.
