It's interesting how perspective shifts with time. During the season at times it felt like the squad is barely holding together and this summer will surely be the time for major changes, especially in midfield. Now the dust has settled; it looks like we're out of the running on our one major midfield target in Tchouameni and another one – Bellingham – will stay in Dortmund for one more season before hopefully making the right decision and coming here. On the strikers front there doesn't seem to be so much suitable talent available, other than Darwin Nunez, who might or might not be in our price range. We're losing Mane, but already have the replacement (for the LW version of Sadio) in Diaz, we have added Fabio Carvalho to be a Firmino/Jota alternative as a "false 9" and Salah is probably staying for one more season. Overall, I'm starting to have a feeling that Klopp will try to squeeze one more good season out of the current group, with some tinkering around the edges, and next summer will be the time for major changes.
Here's my assessment of the squad as it stands:
Goalkeepers:
1. Alisson
2. Kelleher (if he decides to stay on)
3. Pitaluga
10/10 – I've never seen so much quality and depth in that department for LFC and we have more talented youngsters coming through the pipeline, all apparently fully trained in the ways of the "LFC goalkeeping philosophy" – that's new! If Kelleher leaves on loan, I think we would go for an experienced backup for a season; either way I'm sure we'll be fine.
Centre-backs:
1. Van Dijk
2. Konate
3. Matip
4. Gomez
5. Van der Berg?
10/10 – once again, we couldn't possibly be in a better position. We have the best CB in the world, Konate has settled and won a starting place by the end of last season, Matip can now transition into an experienced back-up role and if Gomez doesn't push for a move it makes perfect sense to keep him as he can cover 2 positions, has good relationship with Van Dijk and his recovery speed is a useful attribute. I'm guessing Nate will be sold – good luck to him! – and VDB will probably get a chance to impress in the cups.
Full-backs:
RB 1. Trent
RB 2. Calvin Ramsay (almost signed)
RB 3. Gomez, Milner, Van der Berg
LB 1. Robbo
LB 2. Tsimikas
9/10 – If Calvin Ramsay comes here and proves to be a capable back-up for Trent, the way Tsimikas established himself on the other side, then we are all set in the full-back department. I liked Neco, but his style is quite different from Trent – he is more of a runner than a crosser and maybe eventually not a RB at all. By all descriptions Ramsay is much more like Trent, so I think this change makes sense. Having another Scottish lad at full-back wouldn't hurt either.
Central Midfield:
1. Fabinho
2. Thiago
3. Hendo
4. Keita
5. Milner
6. Jones
7. Elliott
7/10 – I expect both Hendo and Milner to play mostly DM next season; this is the one position where aging players can still be effective as the value of their football brain takes precedence over legs. Unfortunately Thiago aside, we don't have world-class quality and consistency in the RCM/LCM positions – and now that the possibility of signing Tchouameni is gone, we'll probably have to make do without a major addition until next summer. It would actually make sense to take Wijnaldum back on loan for a year or sign someone similar who could be a quality stop-gap. Ox will surely go; Jones and Elliott should be able to contribute more than they did last season (which wasn't much, mostly due to injuries). I believe in Morton but it would be better for him to go on loan – he needs 1-2 seasons of playing every week to develop as a midfielder capable of challenging for a place at LFC.
Forwards:
1. Salah
2. Diaz
3. Jota
4. Firmino
5. Carvalho
6. Gordon
7. Minamino (if he stays)
8/10 – If Salah and Jota get back to their 1st half of the season form and with Diaz having a full pre-season to settle and fully integrate into the team, our first-choice front 3 has every chance to be formidable and effective once again. The addition of the supremely talented Carvalho will add another exciting and unpredictable element to the attack and I think Firmino will probably stay on for another season to mentor the young Portuguese on the intricacies of playing as a "false 9" in the Premier League. I have a feeling that Kaide Gordon will emerge as a first-team player next season and will start getting regular minutes in Salah's position due to the 5 subs rule change. Minamino has been an ideal back-up striker and I have no problem with him staying, however in this current collection of forwards we are missing that physical striker that can be a Plan B, like Origi was – if Minamino does leave, I would like to find a young tall and quick striker to fill that role.
Overall 44/50 – this team has one or two problems that don't have an quick fix, but overall we are starting from a high baseline and should have enough to compete on all fronts even if the only changes to the squad are losing Mane and gaining Diaz (compared to the start of last season), Carvalho and Ramsay. We're not in a desperate need for new signings, however I would like to see a couple of precise additions, like an experienced midfielder that can plug the gap until next summer and possibly a young physically gifted striker to replace Origi. I think we'll sign a new first-team attacker only if that's a player Klopp envisions in our front 3 long-term – we will wait for the right player to become available and won't compromise on quality.
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