Top 5 things Liverpool must do this summer

#4 Add much-needed pace

Sadio Mane had everything that Liverpool needed last summer.

A key area for Liverpool has been the lack of pace in the side. Daniel Sturridge looks to be losing a few yards with every injury he picks up and Divock Origi definitely has good pace but not the consistency to command a regular spot. As a result, the gaffer brought in Sadio Mane from Southampton and he turned out to be the signing of the season.

Mane brought with him some blistering pace, directness and a goal threat – adding an extra dimension to the team and the results are there for all to see. His absence underlined the point further as none among Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana, Can and Georginio Wijnaldum has the pace to breach defences or finish counter-attacks.

This area needs addressing this summer with a pacy wide player a definite necessity. Liverpool have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt, AS Roma’s Mohamed Salah and Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa. It is a possibility that the links might not materialise but without adding pace out wide, Liverpool’s next season targets will be tough to achieve.

A definite decision on Sturridge’s future must be taken this summer.

A decision on Sturridge’s future needs to be taken as well. If both sides decide that parting ways to be the best option, then it is a must to sign a pacy striker. Firmino does admirably well to lead the line and can still be used in that position whenever the situation demands. However, a natural striker with bags of pace and finishing ability is an asset against a more defensive opposition.

Further, Klopp likes his players to press high up the pitch. So, having pace will ensure the attacker will be in a better position to enforce his ideas.

Another area that could use pace is midfield, especially in the attacking midfield role. Last season, it was important to get goals from midfield and shifting Lallana to midfield along with Wijnaldum’s signing solved the issue. This season will require pace as well and a player such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain offers that extra edge.