Let's talk about how will our team be affected by our lack of European football this year. Should our transfer strategy be different, now that we will have far fewer games and can only qualify for Europe by virtue of league position (or a domestic Cup win)?
As we know from 2013-14 and Leicester's season, lack of European distractions is a tangible advantage in the league. This is the only way a team that has quality, but no great depth, can hope to do well in the competition. The disadvantage of this is that you cannot experiment much or give playing time to squad or young players – everything becomes simplified, the best 11 always plays in the league. I'm sure Klopp will be desperate to win a cup next season as well to erase the "loser" tag, so I expect strong teams there as well.
With this in mind, we definitely need to think in terms of getting the maximum quality, rather than quantity and depth in the transfer market. This is bad news for young players, returning loanees etc – now someone like Markovic or Alberto would only get a chance to impress in a few cup games at best, so unless Klopp rates them already it's better for them to ask to be sold. This is also bad news for Benteke, Allen and other players who were not regular starters this season, because the squad will now need to be seriously trimmed to allow for a few new players and for a couple of younger player Klopp really rates.
Liverpool FC First Team Squad
[xtable=skin1|@x595]
{thead}
{tr=@x14}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|14x14} {/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|158x14}Name{/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|10x14}Pos.{/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|25x14}Age{/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|72x14}Nationality{/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|92x14}Contract Ends{/th}
{th=@x14} {/th}
{/tr}
{/thead}
{tbody}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}2{/td}
{td=158x17}Nathaniel Clyne{/td}
{td=10x17}RB{/td}
{td=25x17}24{/td}
{td=72x17}English{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}4{/td}
{td=158x17}Kolo Toure{/td}
{td=10x17}CB{/td}
{td=25x17}34{/td}
{td=72x17}Ivorian{/td}
{td=92x17}2016{/td}
{td=@x17} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}6{/td}
{td=158x17}Dejan Lovren{/td}
{td=10x17}CB{/td}
{td=25x17}26{/td}
{td=72x17}Croatian{/td}
{td=92x17}2019{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=14x@}7{/td}
{td=158x@}James Milner{/td}
{td=10x@}CM{/td}
{td=25x@}29{/td}
{td=72x@}English{/td}
{td=92x@}2019{/td}
{td}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}9{/td}
{td=158x17}Christian Benteke{/td}
{td=10x17}FW{/td}
{td=25x17}24{/td}
{td=72x17}Belgian{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}10{/td}
{td=158x17}Philippe Coutinho{/td}
{td=10x17}AM{/td}
{td=25x17}22{/td}
{td=72x17}Brazilian{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}11{/td}
{td=158x17}Roberto Firmino{/td}
{td=10x17}FW{/td}
{td=25x17}23{/td}
{td=72x17}Brazilian{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}12{/td}
{td=158x17}Joe Gomez{/td}
{td=10x17}CB{/td}
{td=25x17}18{/td}
{td=72x17}English{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}14{/td}
{td=158x17}Jordan Henderson{/td}
{td=10x17}CM{/td}
{td=25x17}24{/td}
{td=72x17}English{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}15{/td}
{td=158x17}Daniel Sturridge{/td}
{td=10x17}FW{/td}
{td=25x17}25{/td}
{td=72x17}English{/td}
{td=92x17}2019{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}17{/td}
{td=158x17}Mamadou Sakho{/td}
{td=10x17}CB{/td}
{td=25x17}25{/td}
{td=72x17}French{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}18{/td}
{td=158x18}Alberto Moreno{/td}
{td=10x18}LB{/td}
{td=25x18}22{/td}
{td=72x18}Spanish{/td}
{td=92x18}2019{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}19{/td}
{td=158x18}Steven Caulker{/td}
{td=10x18}CB{/td}
{td=25x18}24{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2016{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}20{/td}
{td=158x18}Adam Lallana{/td}
{td=10x18}AM{/td}
{td=25x18}27{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2019{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}21{/td}
{td=158x18}Lucas Leiva{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}28{/td}
{td=72x18}Brazilian{/td}
{td=92x18}2017{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}22{/td}
{td=158x18}Simon Mignolet{/td}
{td=10x18}GK{/td}
{td=25x18}27{/td}
{td=72x18}Belgian{/td}
{td=92x18}2018{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}23{/td}
{td=158x18}Emre Can{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}21{/td}
{td=72x18}German{/td}
{td=92x18}2019{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}24{/td}
{td=158x18}Joe Allen{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}25{/td}
{td=72x18}Welsh{/td}
{td=92x18}2017{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}27{/td}
{td=158x18}Divock Origi{/td}
{td=10x18}FW{/td}
{td=25x18}20{/td}
{td=72x18}Belgian{/td}
{td=92x18}2019{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}28{/td}
{td=158x18}Danny Ings{/td}
{td=10x18}FW{/td}
{td=25x18}22{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2020{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}33{/td}
{td=158x18}Jordon Ibe{/td}
{td=10x18}AM{/td}
{td=25x18}19{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2020{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}34{/td}
{td=158x18}Adam Bogdan{/td}
{td=10x18}GK{/td}
{td=25x18}27{/td}
{td=72x18}Hungarian{/td}
{td=92x18}2018{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}37{/td}
{td=158x18}Martin Skrtel{/td}
{td=10x18}CB{/td}
{td=25x18}30{/td}
{td=72x18}Slovakian{/td}
{td=92x18}2018{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}38{/td}
{td=158x18}Jon Flanagan{/td}
{td=10x18}RB{/td}
{td=25x18}22{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2016{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}53{/td}
{td=158x18}Joao Carlos Teixeira{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}22{/td}
{td=72x18}Portuguese{/td}
{td=92x18}2016{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}-{/td}
{td=158x18}Joel Matip{/td}
{td=10x18}CB{/td}
{td=25x18}24{/td}
{td=72x18}Cameroon{/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18}New{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}-{/td}
{td=158x18}Marko Grujic{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}20{/td}
{td=72x18}Serbia{/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18}New{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18} {/td}
{td=158x18}New GK{/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}-{/td}
{td=158x18}New LB {/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18} {/td}
{td=158x18}New CM{/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}-{/td}
{td=158x18}New AM{/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18} {/td}
{td=158x18}New winger{/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{/tbody}
[/xtable]
Loans
All season loans unless stated otherwise
Luis Alberto – Deportivo La Coruna
Lloyd Jones – Blackpool
Jordan Williams – Swindon Town
Andre Wisdom – Norwich City
Lawrence Vigouroux – Swindon Town
Mario Balotelli – AC Milan
Lazar Markovic – Fenerbahce
Samed Yesil – FC Luzern
Taiwo Awoniyi – FSV Frankfurt
Marko Grujic – Red Star Belgrade
Allan – Sint-Truidense
Liverpool FC Under-21s
Keepers
Ryan Fulton
Defenders
Connor Randall
Tom Brewitt
Kristof Polgar
Joe Maguire
Brad Smith
Midfielders
Cameron Brannagan
Adam Phillips
Pedro Chirivella
Matty Virtue
Yan Dhanda
Sergi Canos
Will Marsh
Forwards
Jack Dunn
Jerome Sinclair
Bobby Adekanye
Brooks Lennon
Ryan Kent
Sheyi Ojo
As we know from 2013-14 and Leicester's season, lack of European distractions is a tangible advantage in the league. This is the only way a team that has quality, but no great depth, can hope to do well in the competition. The disadvantage of this is that you cannot experiment much or give playing time to squad or young players – everything becomes simplified, the best 11 always plays in the league. I'm sure Klopp will be desperate to win a cup next season as well to erase the "loser" tag, so I expect strong teams there as well.
With this in mind, we definitely need to think in terms of getting the maximum quality, rather than quantity and depth in the transfer market. This is bad news for young players, returning loanees etc – now someone like Markovic or Alberto would only get a chance to impress in a few cup games at best, so unless Klopp rates them already it's better for them to ask to be sold. This is also bad news for Benteke, Allen and other players who were not regular starters this season, because the squad will now need to be seriously trimmed to allow for a few new players and for a couple of younger player Klopp really rates.
Liverpool FC First Team Squad
[xtable=skin1|@x595]
{thead}
{tr=@x14}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|14x14} {/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|158x14}Name{/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|10x14}Pos.{/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|25x14}Age{/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|72x14}Nationality{/th}
{th=colspan:1|rowspan:1|92x14}Contract Ends{/th}
{th=@x14} {/th}
{/tr}
{/thead}
{tbody}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}2{/td}
{td=158x17}Nathaniel Clyne{/td}
{td=10x17}RB{/td}
{td=25x17}24{/td}
{td=72x17}English{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}4{/td}
{td=158x17}Kolo Toure{/td}
{td=10x17}CB{/td}
{td=25x17}34{/td}
{td=72x17}Ivorian{/td}
{td=92x17}2016{/td}
{td=@x17} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}6{/td}
{td=158x17}Dejan Lovren{/td}
{td=10x17}CB{/td}
{td=25x17}26{/td}
{td=72x17}Croatian{/td}
{td=92x17}2019{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=14x@}7{/td}
{td=158x@}James Milner{/td}
{td=10x@}CM{/td}
{td=25x@}29{/td}
{td=72x@}English{/td}
{td=92x@}2019{/td}
{td}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}9{/td}
{td=158x17}Christian Benteke{/td}
{td=10x17}FW{/td}
{td=25x17}24{/td}
{td=72x17}Belgian{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}10{/td}
{td=158x17}Philippe Coutinho{/td}
{td=10x17}AM{/td}
{td=25x17}22{/td}
{td=72x17}Brazilian{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}11{/td}
{td=158x17}Roberto Firmino{/td}
{td=10x17}FW{/td}
{td=25x17}23{/td}
{td=72x17}Brazilian{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}12{/td}
{td=158x17}Joe Gomez{/td}
{td=10x17}CB{/td}
{td=25x17}18{/td}
{td=72x17}English{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}14{/td}
{td=158x17}Jordan Henderson{/td}
{td=10x17}CM{/td}
{td=25x17}24{/td}
{td=72x17}English{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}15{/td}
{td=158x17}Daniel Sturridge{/td}
{td=10x17}FW{/td}
{td=25x17}25{/td}
{td=72x17}English{/td}
{td=92x17}2019{/td}
{td=@x17}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x17}
{td=14x17}17{/td}
{td=158x17}Mamadou Sakho{/td}
{td=10x17}CB{/td}
{td=25x17}25{/td}
{td=72x17}French{/td}
{td=92x17}2020{/td}
{td=@x17} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}18{/td}
{td=158x18}Alberto Moreno{/td}
{td=10x18}LB{/td}
{td=25x18}22{/td}
{td=72x18}Spanish{/td}
{td=92x18}2019{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}19{/td}
{td=158x18}Steven Caulker{/td}
{td=10x18}CB{/td}
{td=25x18}24{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2016{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}20{/td}
{td=158x18}Adam Lallana{/td}
{td=10x18}AM{/td}
{td=25x18}27{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2019{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}21{/td}
{td=158x18}Lucas Leiva{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}28{/td}
{td=72x18}Brazilian{/td}
{td=92x18}2017{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}22{/td}
{td=158x18}Simon Mignolet{/td}
{td=10x18}GK{/td}
{td=25x18}27{/td}
{td=72x18}Belgian{/td}
{td=92x18}2018{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}23{/td}
{td=158x18}Emre Can{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}21{/td}
{td=72x18}German{/td}
{td=92x18}2019{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}24{/td}
{td=158x18}Joe Allen{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}25{/td}
{td=72x18}Welsh{/td}
{td=92x18}2017{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}27{/td}
{td=158x18}Divock Origi{/td}
{td=10x18}FW{/td}
{td=25x18}20{/td}
{td=72x18}Belgian{/td}
{td=92x18}2019{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}28{/td}
{td=158x18}Danny Ings{/td}
{td=10x18}FW{/td}
{td=25x18}22{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2020{/td}
{td=@x18}Stays{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}33{/td}
{td=158x18}Jordon Ibe{/td}
{td=10x18}AM{/td}
{td=25x18}19{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2020{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}34{/td}
{td=158x18}Adam Bogdan{/td}
{td=10x18}GK{/td}
{td=25x18}27{/td}
{td=72x18}Hungarian{/td}
{td=92x18}2018{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}37{/td}
{td=158x18}Martin Skrtel{/td}
{td=10x18}CB{/td}
{td=25x18}30{/td}
{td=72x18}Slovakian{/td}
{td=92x18}2018{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}38{/td}
{td=158x18}Jon Flanagan{/td}
{td=10x18}RB{/td}
{td=25x18}22{/td}
{td=72x18}English{/td}
{td=92x18}2016{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}53{/td}
{td=158x18}Joao Carlos Teixeira{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}22{/td}
{td=72x18}Portuguese{/td}
{td=92x18}2016{/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}-{/td}
{td=158x18}Joel Matip{/td}
{td=10x18}CB{/td}
{td=25x18}24{/td}
{td=72x18}Cameroon{/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18}New{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}-{/td}
{td=158x18}Marko Grujic{/td}
{td=10x18}CM{/td}
{td=25x18}20{/td}
{td=72x18}Serbia{/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18}New{/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18} {/td}
{td=158x18}New GK{/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}-{/td}
{td=158x18}New LB {/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18} {/td}
{td=158x18}New CM{/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18}-{/td}
{td=158x18}New AM{/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{tr=@x18}
{td=14x18} {/td}
{td=158x18}New winger{/td}
{td=10x18} {/td}
{td=25x18} {/td}
{td=72x18} {/td}
{td=92x18} {/td}
{td=@x18} {/td}
{/tr}
{/tbody}
[/xtable]
Loans
All season loans unless stated otherwise
Luis Alberto – Deportivo La Coruna
Lloyd Jones – Blackpool
Jordan Williams – Swindon Town
Andre Wisdom – Norwich City
Lawrence Vigouroux – Swindon Town
Mario Balotelli – AC Milan
Lazar Markovic – Fenerbahce
Samed Yesil – FC Luzern
Taiwo Awoniyi – FSV Frankfurt
Marko Grujic – Red Star Belgrade
Allan – Sint-Truidense
Liverpool FC Under-21s
Keepers
Ryan Fulton
Defenders
Connor Randall
Tom Brewitt
Kristof Polgar
Joe Maguire
Brad Smith
Midfielders
Cameron Brannagan
Adam Phillips
Pedro Chirivella
Matty Virtue
Yan Dhanda
Sergi Canos
Will Marsh
Forwards
Jack Dunn
Jerome Sinclair
Bobby Adekanye
Brooks Lennon
Ryan Kent
Sheyi Ojo
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