With the first Jürgen Klopp press conference of the new season just a week away, it appears like Liverpool still has a lot of work to do — much of which will have to wait until after the trip to Stamford Bridge.
But what are the priorities, and what issues remain on Klopp’s to-do list at the AXA Training Centre? For starters, additional transfers are required (as the Liverpool manager has openly recognized), but there is also more to be done.
There are more changes to come in a summer that has already seen a new club captain named, as Virgil van Dijk replaced Jordan Henderson, and numerous stalwarts go, including Roberto Firmino.
Liverpool.com has looked at the issues that still need to be resolved, ideally before the start of the new season but surely not too long after as the transfer deadline of September 1 approaches.
Transfers to the midfield
Liverpool would prefer to sign two additional midfielders, but at least one who can come in and play immediately as the number six is essential.
According to Lance, Southampton still wants $64 million (£50 million/€58 million) for Roméo Lavia, while another target, Brazilian midfielder André, has a release clause at $44 million (£35 million/€40 million).
A $108 million double move should not be out of the question, but the question is if Liverpool considers it to be fair value. Both players may require time to adjust to life at the top of the Premier League.
However, in the lack of any other apparent names who could join for reasonable transfer prices and have an immediate effect, Liverpool may need to turn to something more risky.
Reinforcements on the defensive
In addition to more bodies in the center of the field, Liverpool really needs another defender. That was always the case, but with the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, it became less of a priority in the eyes of many.
If one midfielder can be brought over the line, a defender is the next highest priority. Both Jol Matip and Joe Gomez have question marks hanging over them, and neither is particularly suited to the left side of the defense.
Adding a player who can serve as the first backup to the first-choice center-back duo and eventually become a starter is critical, albeit who that player might be is unknown.
Squad composition
Even while Liverpool now appears to be top-heavy, with additional bodies in the squad to give Klopp more alternatives, it should be feasible to create the appropriate balance between defense and offense.
At the present, it appears that Liverpool will be a team that scores a lot of goals but also concedes a lot of chances. Alisson Becker will be hopeful that improvements and effort on transfers and on the training field would be beneficial.
This is the third priority solely in the sense that Klopp’s options will be constrained until additional players come. Sharpness for players like Ibrahima Konaté and Trent Alexander-Arnold can help, but until a good number six is signed, there will be voids that must be filled in some way.
To provide more security for the rest of the backline and midfield, Andy Robertson may need to remain in a more defensive position than he has been in throughout pre-season.
