Scott Groom takes a look at the players that should be on their toes this season if they are to remain Liverpool players and continue being a part of Jürgen Klopp’s exciting project.
It looks set to be another summer of mass change at Liverpool this year, with Jurgen Klopp efficiently and effectively bringing in a whole host of new recruits, as well as tying down his future stars into long-term professional deals.
The arrivals of Xherdan Shaqiri, Naby Keïta, Fabinho and Alisson Becker are all welcome new signings. Couple that with new professional contracts for Harry Wilson, Rhian Brewster and Taiwo Awoniyi and Liverpool look about set for the present and the future – but what of the future of some of the existing squad members?
With such activity in terms of transfers at Anfield this summer, a number of current members of Klopp’s squad face a make-or-break pre-season and season ahead.
Adam Lallana
Now 30-years-old, Lallana is entering the twilight of his career, and he’s not entering it in the best circumstances.
The past 18 months have been blighted by injuries after an impressive run of form during Klopp’s first full season in charge. He became one of the first names on the teamsheet every week and formed part of a formidable front-line of Mané, Firmino and Coutinho.
However, those persistent injuries and failure to get himself back onto the pitch and make an impression have hampered him, with many questioning if he has what it takes to remain at the Club.
The recent addition of Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke also casts further doubt on Lallana’s future, with Klopp evidently keen on the Swiss. Couple that with the fact that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still knocking around, albeit injured at the moment, and Lallana’s future looks bleak.
If Fekir signs, I think we could see Lallana leave either this summer or in January, which would be a shame as he seems a very likeable and valued member of the squad.
Loris Karius
Klopp has finally signed Alisson Becker after a world record £65million bid was accepted by Roma and the goalkeeper completed his move on Thursday. Alisson’s arrival casts major doubts over the futures of Loris Karius.
You’ve got to feel for Danny Ward, who was hoicked back from a loan spell at Huddersfield where he performed well and helped them earn promotion to English football’s elite league. After looking like finally getting his chance to prove his worth, along comes Alisson.
Danny Ward has completed a move to Leicester City but what to do with Karius?
His stint as Liverpool’s number one looks over, and a loan move potentially back to Germany may be the best thing for him to rebuild his confidence away from the blinding spotlight of the English media and the ever-watching Liverpool fans a bit.
Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne, like fellow squad member Lallana, has endured a torrid time of late with a persistent back injury that has been more damaging by the fact that youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold has shone in his absence.
This has perhaps made Clyne’s position in the starting line-up a thing of the past, especially as Joe Gomez was also used at right back during Clyne’s injury.
However, Gomez has long stated that he sees himself as a centre back, and therefore we see a straight battle between Trent and Clyne for a starting role at right back.
While he has the experience and wisdom from a longer career, I think Klopp will likely use Clyne as Trent’s back-up option, like Moreno is to Robertson on the left of his defence.
Whether or not Clyne can seize an opportunity when it arises remains to be seen, but his work rate to get back to fitness will no doubt have impressed Klopp – he just needs to build on that to save his career.
Daniel Sturridge
Oh, how we long for the Daniel Sturridge of the 2013/14 Premier League season to be back – but alas he doesn’t appear to be.
He’s making all of the right noises, stating this week that he wants to stay at Liverpool this summer, and I believe he will still be part of the squad come the start of the season what with Danny Ings signalling his intent to leave Liverpool, and the only other competition for an out and out striker being Brewster, Origi and Solanke.
But frankly, Sturridge seems a better option to have at our disposal.
His opportunities may be limited this season should he choose to stay on, but it’s up to him what he does with them.
If he keeps scoring from the bench, he gives Klopp a selection headache. If not, I think we wave goodbye to him next summer.
Jöel Matip
This is a strange one really. After looking like one of Liverpool’s main centre back choices when he joined just two years ago, Matip is now very much a fringe player.
He is by no means a bad defender to bring in should one of Lovren or Van Dijk get injured, but I think his shaky showings last season mean he now sits behind Joe Gomez in the pecking order.
Like Sturridge, his chances this coming season may well be limited, and he’s got to be so solid when he gets them.
Not only that, he needs to show qualities similar to those possessed by van Dijk like bringing the ball out of the back, spraying passes to attackers, posing a threat from offensive and defensive set pieces – and I’m not sure he has that.
He’ll need to produce something miraculous to stay on past this season I think when we will see Klopp again invest heavily in his defence.
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