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Liverpool's Pitch for 2024 Success: Addressing the Key Needs
2023/24 presented a season of change for Liverpool, as a disappointing season saw them just fall short of the top four and Champions League football, with a slew of their stars either leaving for pastures new or declining in ability.
The club has already been initiative-taking in the transfer window, bringing in Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton to add some much-needed dynamism and tenacity in their midfield and forward Dominik Szoboszlai, who captains Slovakia at just 22 years old. These additions are welcome signs of a club looking to rebuild and ascend back to the top for the coming season. With players like Virgil Van Dijk and Thiago suffering injuries and looking at moving away, there is the perfect opportunity for Jurgen Klopp to rebuild his team with a new vision and get his club back into the Champions League places next season.
Liverpool is going to be one of the most interesting teams to follow next season after the inevitable rebuild, as they will be at a crossroads. If you follow football odds, many signs are pointing to Liverpool returning to the top of European football, as the dismal season recently opened the doors to rebuilding and returning to the top.
The impact of the trio above could be a huge piece of the puzzle for Liverpool, with Lavia and Thuram shoring up the backline and Gravenberch being a progressive midfielder to help carry the ball from defense to attack. A solved defensive unit for Liverpool would also go a long way toward unlocking attacking additions Darwin Nunez and Cody Gapko, who showed promising signs last season but struggled with the rest of the team down the stretch.
Less warm targets have come in the form of Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, as the defender had a stellar campaign on loan at Brighton. In an analogous situation to Romeo Lavia, Colwill seems unhappy to return to his parent club due to their overall performance last season and might find better opportunities at Liverpool.
There’s no certainty that some players will stay, as the lack of Champions League football can sometimes steer players to a club in the tournament. Some players, like Fabinho and Diogo Jota, might find alternative teams for reasons like game time or looking to get into a team that is in the Champions League.
Making errors in the transfer market can have terrible effects on a club. Signing a player to a long contract when they do not fulfill their potential or suffer severe swings in form can cost the club significant amounts of money and cause disruption to the squad. Liverpool has had this instance in some capacity, though not as severe as other clubs. Signing players who had an impact far less than expected can be particularly damaging when they are not young and do not have as much of an upside as a younger player.
By targeting more dynamic and younger players, you can fit more needs with just one player and make a smart investment in a player who has yet to hit their prime. By doing this, Liverpool protects their club and squad going forward but keeps moving towards their footballing goals for 2023/24 and getting back into the European elite.
The club has already been initiative-taking in the transfer window, bringing in Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton to add some much-needed dynamism and tenacity in their midfield and forward Dominik Szoboszlai, who captains Slovakia at just 22 years old. These additions are welcome signs of a club looking to rebuild and ascend back to the top for the coming season. With players like Virgil Van Dijk and Thiago suffering injuries and looking at moving away, there is the perfect opportunity for Jurgen Klopp to rebuild his team with a new vision and get his club back into the Champions League places next season.
Liverpool is going to be one of the most interesting teams to follow next season after the inevitable rebuild, as they will be at a crossroads. If you follow football odds, many signs are pointing to Liverpool returning to the top of European football, as the dismal season recently opened the doors to rebuilding and returning to the top.
Where are the Key Needs for Liverpool?
The midfield was Liverpool’s biggest weakness last season, with Henderson, Thiago, and others consistently shifting in and out of the lineup, creating a disjointed squad. Signing Szoboszlai, who can fit in an attacking midfield position, and Mac Allister, who can roam as a 10, 8, or even 4, are massive additions but do not fully fit the need in midfield yet. Liverpool is also looking at Romeo Lavia, Khephren Thuram, and other right-backs and defenders to help bolster their backline after a leaky season.Who is Liverpool Targeting?
Lavia and Thuram are Liverpool’s key targets, but the Merseyside club is also looking at out-of-favor Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. The defensive midfielder is just 21 years old but has not found his footing at the Allianz Arena and has been close to a move to Anfield all summer.The impact of the trio above could be a huge piece of the puzzle for Liverpool, with Lavia and Thuram shoring up the backline and Gravenberch being a progressive midfielder to help carry the ball from defense to attack. A solved defensive unit for Liverpool would also go a long way toward unlocking attacking additions Darwin Nunez and Cody Gapko, who showed promising signs last season but struggled with the rest of the team down the stretch.
Less warm targets have come in the form of Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, as the defender had a stellar campaign on loan at Brighton. In an analogous situation to Romeo Lavia, Colwill seems unhappy to return to his parent club due to their overall performance last season and might find better opportunities at Liverpool.
Who Could Be Leaving Liverpool?
The most significant signs for Thiago Alcantara point to him heading to Saudi Arabia - a popular destination for players seemingly on the back end of their careers who want a lucrative end to their playing careers. Joining him could be captain Jordan Henderson after rumors between him and Al-Ettifaq intensified after Steven Gerrard’s arrival.There’s no certainty that some players will stay, as the lack of Champions League football can sometimes steer players to a club in the tournament. Some players, like Fabinho and Diogo Jota, might find alternative teams for reasons like game time or looking to get into a team that is in the Champions League.
How Liverpool Can Manage Finances and Football Targets
It has been talked about how clubs are wielding enormous financial power when it comes to transfers, especially teams like Chelsea and Manchester City. While this can have many benefits, the downsides are just as easy to come across. Look at a club like Chelsea, which signed so many players that some had to sit on the floor in the dressing room. Going for a player in their prime to plug a small need is something that has worked for City thus far, but Liverpool and Klopp are going for a much more prudent and measured approach.Making errors in the transfer market can have terrible effects on a club. Signing a player to a long contract when they do not fulfill their potential or suffer severe swings in form can cost the club significant amounts of money and cause disruption to the squad. Liverpool has had this instance in some capacity, though not as severe as other clubs. Signing players who had an impact far less than expected can be particularly damaging when they are not young and do not have as much of an upside as a younger player.
By targeting more dynamic and younger players, you can fit more needs with just one player and make a smart investment in a player who has yet to hit their prime. By doing this, Liverpool protects their club and squad going forward but keeps moving towards their footballing goals for 2023/24 and getting back into the European elite.
Written by Alan Spencer
