5 transfers Jurgen Klopp needs to make to turn Liverpool into title contenders

#1 Sign a new number 10

Philippe Coutinho remains a transfer target for Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho is still a Liverpool player and only last week he pledged his loyalty to the club, but let's face it, if Barcelona wants a player, then they will get him in the end. The talented playmaker likely won't be at Anfield next season anymore and this means that Liverpool will need a new no. 10.

Thomas Lemar was the man Liverpool went after near the end of the summer transfer window when Coutinho's future was up in the air. Monaco’s vice-president Vadim Vasilyev recently admitted that both Arsenal and Liverpool came in with offers for the 22-year-old French international, but it was too late in the window for a deal to be struck.

As a Frenchman, naturally, it looks more likely that Lemar will end up in London. That would leave Klopp to look elsewhere.

Hakim Ziyech has mostly been linked with mid-level Premier League clubs, but he could maybe do the business for a top side as well. The 24-year-old Moroccan had a wonderful season last year with seven goals and 11 assists for Ajax in the Eredivisie. He's a very technical player, who provides quality set pieces.

A couple of Germans will certainly be among the targets. There are even some reports that a deal has already been made for Leon Goretzka and the 22-year-old will join from Schalke in January. He's Schalke's top scorer this season with four league goals. Maybe not a traditional no. 10, but under Klopp's tutelage, he could blossom in that role.

Liverpool might even actually have Coutinho's successor already in the current squad.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was a bit bizarre signing near the end of the summer transfer window. He's said that he likes to play in a central role and that was one of the reasons why he left Arsenal. But Liverpool already has a good selection of central midfielders at the club.

As expected, Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled to break into the starting XI. It took him until November 4 to finally get the first start in the league. He was actually in the side replacing Coutinho, who was injured. Could this be the sign of things to come?