Liverpool fans had a pretty disappointing January transfer window and Jurgen Klopp failed to secure any players that were going to make an impact in the second half of this campaign.
Whilst other sides were looking to add match winners, Liverpool were continuing to provide uninspiring performances. A thriller against Arsenal and the first glimpse of Roberto Firmino in full form have helped the Reds to at least have some hope of a better second half of the season, but the Kop shan’t be holding out much hope of their desired European football.
Daniel Sturridge is still about as likely as I am to play five consecutive matches and Christian Benteke, despite his goals, can’t seem to consolidate any starting place in the side as Klopp favours Firmino in a false 9 role. Liverpool fans must be sick of managers asking for patience, but its likely that Klopp will be given the time he wants to rebuild the squad over the next few seasons.
Despite that, the German should have invested in this window because of the glimmer of a top four spot.
Here is the squad the Anfield faithful could be looking at now..
Bernd Leno
Liverpool’s decision to offer Simon Mignolet a new contract is one of the more puzzling ones in the last decade of football.
Mignolet is regularly making mistakes that are costing his side points, so it must be time a signing like Leno is made.
Nathaniel Clyne
Since his arrival in the summer, Clyne has finally given some security to Liverpool’s right-back position.
The former Saint has looked solid defensively and been a useful force when overlapping.
Mamadou Sakho
Sakho, for all his failings, is usually Liverpool’s most secure central defender.
The powerful centre-back can never seem to form a solid long-term partnership, but he is sure to prove his worth once Klopp can bring in his own man alongside him.
Neven Subotic
Moves for players from former clubs are often touted, but rarely are they more suitable than Subotic would be for Klopp’s Liverpool.
Skrtel’s failings and Kolo Toure’s calamitous last few seasons make a centre back signing crucial and all should have been done to secure Subotic.
Alberto Moreno
Defensively, Alberto Moreno is Liverpool’s glaring weakness.
Brendan Rodgers did not sign this Spaniard for his work going towards his own goal and Moreno is a great asset to help overlap down the left when playing with no natural wide men.
Jordan Henderson
The club captain is one of Liverpool’s genuinely consistent performers but has had to suffer along side some pretty average midfield pairing.
Whether he is compensating for Lucas’ lack of talent on the ball or providing the creative spark that Milner can’t Henderson is carrying a lot on his shoulders.
Lucas Biglia
Not since the days of Mascherano and Alonso have Liverpool had a top class defensive midfield player.
Lucas Leiva is a mid-table player on his best days and is far too clumsy in the tackle to warrant a place in a CL challenging side. Biglia, who wouldn’t be the most costly of transfers, has shown his class with Lazio and Anderlecht and could’ve made the second half of the season a whole lot brighter.
Emre Can
Can, due to Liverpool’s lack of a defensive midfielder, has been used in a variety of central midfield roles.
The German really should see the sky as the limit and he has all the components in his game to become one of the very best in the world. At his best, Can has the freedom to break from deep and can really dominate a game.
Adam Lallana
Lallana faces criticism for his failure to score as often as many would expect for someone in his role, but there is a feeling that the former Saint is beginning to find his feet at Liverpool.
Much like Pochettino, who Lallana thrived under, Klopp expects a huge amount of pressing from each of his players and Lallana has looked a crucial component.
Roberto Firmino
Although he has been playing in a lone forward role of late, Firmino looks at his best when he has the freedom to drift deeper and influence the game.
The Brazilian, whether in a false 9 role or alongside a main striker, is scoring goals on a regular basis and beginning to show the brilliance that made him such a star in Germany.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Another man from Klopp’s former club, Aubameyang is one of Europe’s form strikers right now and would be the ideal replacement for the permanently injured Daniel Sturridge.
Klopp doesn’t seem to be a big fan of Benteke and Auba could’ve been snatched away from Dortmund just like Gotze and Lewandowski were.