Aaron Curry discusses the players Jürgen Klopp has at his disposal for Liverpool next season.
In a season filled with positives and negatives, Liverpool have definitely not been short of goals. Finding the back of the net 98 times in 63 games, Jürgen Klopp transformed the side into a formidable attacking threat. An average of 1.5 goals a game.
Although there were 22 different goal scorers this season, the likes of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge contributed a major percentage – with the latter finishing top goal scorer (13). It leaves the German manager with a pleasing dilemma: Who will be his main outlet for goals next season?
Daniel Sturridge is without a doubt Liverpool’s most potent goal-threat, despite his dire injury record. Finishing with 13 goals and the clubs top goal scorer this season, he certainly has the quality to carry us next season. Until the turn of the New Year, Sturridge had been left side-lined with various injuries which infuriated the fans to the point of wanting to offload him.
Since then, the Englishman has proved his worth on the field by netting some key strikes for the Reds – such as in the Europa League final. On the flip side, his work rate still leaves little to be desired, as he tends not to press the opposition as Klopp would like. Some people suggest that he doesn’t fit Klopp’s gengenpressing style of play.
He is also criticised for not having the passion and intent to “play for the shirt”. I personally feel as though this is far from the truth, as his outpour of passion could be clearly noticed in his celebrations for the second goal against Villarreal. Sturridge certainly has the capability to head Liverpool’s forward line next season; despite being criminally underrated.
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Another option which the German manager may look at is the 21-year-old, highly talented Belgian, Divock Origi. After being signed by Brendan Rodgers, from Lille for £10million, he went back on loan for the season where he was included L’Equipes ‘Ligue 1 Worst XI of the Season’. Things looked bleak from this aspect.
He fell down the pecking order, and made only a 4 appearances until Jürgen Klopp took over. After a short period of experimentation, the current manager put his faith in Origi. He returned the favour by finishing the season with 10 goals in 33 appearances.
Divock’s average goal per game is certainly not the most prolific, but considering his noticeable pace, strength and athleticism all work in tandem, there is certainly much more to his game than goals. Work that can easily go unnoticed.
In addition to the previous, Danny Ings is a player whose debut season at Liverpool was in jeopardy after he suffered an ACL injury in training. Parts of the fan base were sceptical following his arrival on Merseyside – including myself – as to whether he could become the 20-goals-a-season striker we needed.
Much like Origi, a major proportion of Ings’ appearances were consumed by substitutions; therefore his 4 goals in 9 matches seems a little more positive than at first glance. Including a brace in the League Cup, Ings showed glimpses of what we can expect next season.
Some pundits have also labeled the 23-year-old as the “perfect Klopp player” due to his ability to chase lost causes for the full 90 minutes. This could be a major factor in Klopp choosing Ings to head the attack next season.
In much more of an anomaly, Roberto Firmino was signed as seemingly a centre attacking midfielder who could rotate with Coutinho and Lallana respectively. Jürgen Klopp decided against this and deployed him as a centre-forward, within a false nine formation.
The likes of Manchester City and Chelsea were pulled apart by this, although it came as a surprise to everyone.
Contributing to 20 of Liverpool’s goals – 9 assists and 11 goals – his debut season was certainly a success. He also has the ability to dribble past players and create clear-cut chances, out of nothing. The Brazilian will more than likely be playing in behind the striker next season, but Klopp has the outlet to play him a more advanced role if necessary.
Even though Christian Benteke may well be leaving the club (according to the rumours circulating), he is certainly another addition to the various options the manger has at his disposal. Benteke is widely slated by the Liverpool fan base for missing one-on-ones and not working hard enough.
Although this criticism is wholly justified, he has still netted 10 goals in important games, (such as the controversial penalty against Crystal Palace), leaving him as the clubs joint fourth top goal scorer, this season. In my opinion, Benteke is not the worst choice, however he does not suit Klopp’s style of play.
If he was to leave in the summer, for the right price of course, I would certainly not be one to complain.
Klopp undeniably has an array of attacking talent to choose from. But lest we forget Italian antagonist, Mario Balotelli.
In a season filled with positives and negatives, Liverpool have definitely not been short of goals. Finding the back of the net 98 times in 63 games, Jürgen Klopp transformed the side into a formidable attacking threat, scoring an average of 1.5 goals a game.
Although there were 22 different goal scorers this season, the likes of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge contributed a major percentage – with the latter finishing top goal scorer (13). It leaves the German manager with a pleasing dilemma; who will be his main outlet for goals next season?
Daniel Sturridge is without a doubt Liverpool’s most potent goal-threat, despite his dire injury record. Finishing with 13 goals and the clubs top goal scorer this season, he certainly has the quality to carry us next season. Until the turn of the New Year, Sturridge had been left side-lined with various injuries which infuriated the fans to the point of wanting to offload him.
Since then, the Englishman has proved his worth on the field by netting some key strikes for the Reds – such as in the Europa League final. On the flip side, his work rate still leaves a lot to be desired, as he tends not to press the opposition as Klopp would like. Some people suggest that he doesn’t fit Klopp’s gengenpressing style of play.
He is also criticised for not having the passion and intent to “play for the shirt”. I personally feel as though this is far from the truth, as his outpour of passion could be clearly noticed in his celebrations for the second goal against Villarreal. Sturridge certainly has the capability to head Liverpool’s forward line next season; despite being criminally underrated.
Another option which the German manager may look at is the 21-year-old, highly talented Belgian, Divock Origi. After being signed by Brendan Rodgers, from Lille for £10 million, he went back on loan for the season where he was included L’Equipes ‘Ligue 1 Worst XI of the Season’. Things looked bleak from this aspect.
He fell down the pecking order, and made only a 4 appearances until Jürgen Klopp took over. After a short period of experimentation, the current manager put his faith in Origi. He returned the favour by finishing the season with 10 goals in 33 appearances.
Divock’s average goal per game is certainly not the most prolific, but considering his noticeable pace, strength and athleticism all work in tandem, there is certainly much more to his game than goals. Work that can easily go unnoticed.
In addition to the previous, Danny Ings is a player whose debut season at Liverpool was in jeopardy after he suffered an ACL injury in training. Parts of the fan base were sceptical following his arrival on Merseyside – including myself – as to whether he could become the 20-goals-a-season striker we needed.
Much like Origi, a major proportion of Ings’ appearances were consumed by substitutions; therefore his 4 goals in 9 matches seems a little more positive than at first glance. Including a brace in the League Cup, Ings showed glimpses of what we can expect next season.
Some pundits have also labeled the 23-year-old as the “perfect Klopp player” due to his ability to chase lost causes for the full 90 minutes. This could be a major factor in Klopp choosing Ings to head the attack next season.
As something of anomaly, Roberto Firmino was signed as a centre attacking midfielder who could rotate with Coutinho and Lallana respectively. Jürgen Klopp decided against this and deployed him as a centre-forward, within a false nine formation.
The likes of Manchester City and Chelsea were pulled apart by this, although it came as a surprise to everyone.
Contributing to 20 of Liverpool’s goals – 9 assists and 11 goals – his debut season was certainly a success. He also has the ability to dribble past players and create clear-cut chances, out of nothing. The Brazilian will more than likely be playing in behind the striker next season, but Klopp has the outlet to play him a more advanced role if necessary.
Even though Christian Benteke may well be leaving the club (according to the rumours circulating), he is certainly another addition to the various options the manger has at his disposal. Benteke is widely slated by the Liverpool fan base for missing one-on-ones and not working hard enough.
Although this criticism is wholly justified, he has still netted 10 goals in important games, (such as the controversial penalty against Crystal Palace), leaving him as the clubs joint fourth top goal scorer, this season. In my opinion, Benteke is not the worst choice, however he does not suit Klopp’s style of play.
If he was to leave in the summer, for the right price of course, I would certainly not be one to complain.
Klopp undeniably has an array of attacking talent to choose from.It is difficult to forget Italian antagonist, Mario Balotelli who is returning from his unsuccessful spell at AC Milan.
Featured Image – Rush the Kop