From genuine title contenders to losing three home games in the span of a week – Liverpool have turned sour. Their fan base is volatile, some are calling for Jurgen Klopp to get the sack, some are blaming the Americans while some just demand new signings.
Turning on their manager this early into his reign as manager seems harsh; blaming the owners for a string of poor results seems harsh but the third, about demanding new signings, seems less harsh when compared to the former two.
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The Merseyside club started the season on fire and are still the top goal scorers in the Premier League but their solidarity at the back is non-existent and their midfield leaves too many holes for attacking sides to exploit. Yes, they’ve been entertaining in the way they attack like wolves but in the top six of the league, they’re the fifth worst side in terms of goals conceded. It needs fixing – amongst other improvements.
Here are five players Liverpool should sign in the summer to really challenge on all fronts next season:
#5 Ricardo Rodriguez
James Milner has been solid for Jurgen Klopp as a left-back but he isn’t a natural fit there – at times it feels like the German plays Milner only because he needs someone with experience. And if true, it further proves why Liverpool seriously need to invest in a left-back for next season.
Alberto Moreno was good for Liverpool in his first few weeks into the job but has since tailed off and remains someone who’s familiar with all the seats on the bench. Part of the problem is his insistence on bombing forward at every given chance – often leaving a gaping hole for someone else to cover should the opposition counter.
Swiss international, Ricardo Rodriguez, is an exceptional left-back actively looking for a club. He’s solid at the back, great going forward and has the athletic ability to be a threat from set pieces. He’s not going to cost a lot given his age and that he only has two years left on his contract. Liverpool need to move quick, though. He’s a hot cake right now.
#4 Steven N’Zonzi
It always seemed like Stoke City made the wrong choice by selling Steven N’Zonzi to Sevilla. The Frenchman was only beginning to see his best form before the La Liga club made a swoop for him – and how vital he’s been for Jorge Sampaoli’s men can’t be stated enough.
N’Zonzi is a strong combative midfielder who’s equally adept at winning the ball back and setting counter attacks in motion with his passing range. His positional awareness on the pitch is excellent which gives him the time to get into the right area of the pitch and make the right pass forward.
With an average of 78.5 passes per match in the La Liga this season, the Frenchman is one of the reasons why they're up there tied with Barcelona on the table. He keeps the attack ticking and he has the kind of composure to ensure he always makes the right decision.
At Liverpool, he could let the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can join the attack while he holds the fort. He seems to enjoy it and he's great at it. This could solve a lot of problems for Jurgen Klopp given Liverpool have come under constant criticism this season about their midfield abandoning the defence.
#3 Virgil van Dijk
There's a joke somewhere here about Liverpool poaching yet another excellent talent from Southampton. This time – and for the second time in a while – it's a defender we're talking about. The Saints’ captain and someone who seems to be thoroughly enjoying his football at the moment: Virgil Van Dijk.
The Dutchman has been exceptional this past couple of seasons and has been linked with a move to Manchester City amongst other European giants but Liverpool will pull off a definite coup should they convince him to join their project at Anfield.
The former Celtic star is a no-nonsense defender and the reason I say that is because he averages 6.6 clearances per game – the third-highest in the English Premier League. He's also an extremely intelligent defender making an average of 2.6 interceptions per game – all thanks to his rather underrated acceleration off the mark.
Virgil will cost quite a bit of money given his contract only expires in 2022 and he's now entering the prime of his career. However, should Liverpool find the kind of money that could force Southampton's hand, they'll probably never regret the decision.
#2 Bernd Leno
The amount of stick Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet has received at Liverpool in the past couple of months is a little unfair at times. It isn't exactly their fault that they aren't as good or charming as former Reds keeper, Pepe Reina.
And given Klopp brought one of his own to Anfield when he arrived, it seems fitting he could try another experiment from Germany. 24-year-old Bernd Leno is only a toddler into a goalkeeper's career and has all the right ingredients to go on and cement a strong legacy anywhere he plays.
If not for that human freak Manuel Neuer, he'd be the one guarding Germany's posts in international tournaments. Leno is an excellent shot-stopper, a commanding presence in the box and someone who concentrates just as hard as anyone else on the field.
When compared to Liverpool's current options, Leno is a massive upgrade. Karius saves an average of only 2 shots per match while Mignolet is even lesser with only 1.8 shots per game. Leno, on the other hand, when faced in dire situations has been pulling 4.8 key saves per game – that statistic alone is enough to convince anyone of his talent.
With his contract set to expire in 2020, he won't come cheap – in comparison to outfield players – but has the capabilities of being the first truly convincing keeper the Merseyside club have had since their beloved Reina.
#1 Nabil Fekir
There are multiple reports coming out of British newspapers this week about Liverpool wanting to sell Daniel Sturridge. Apparently, Jurgen Klopp has given up on the Englishman in the light of multiple injuries that continuously seem to plague him and given his system isn’t exactly in need of an out-and-out striker, Olympique Lyon’s Nabil Fekir seems an incredible choice.
The 23-year-old Frenchman has been one of the club’s most important players and can play across the front three with ease. His biggest strength is the dribble and the shoulder drop and given the Merseyside club depend on those sort of personal skills to get through a barrage of defenders, he would be an ideal fit in this current Red side.
Fekir averages 2.1 key passes per game and has the composure to tuck away chances when presented, too. Given he’s not the main man in the team, it’s unlikely Lyon will demand an eye-watering fee for his services – even more so now that they’ve recruited Memphis Depay from Manchester United.
