Following on from a disappointing 2-2 draw against newly promoted Fulham on Saturday, Liverpool fans have been very vocal in their opinions on the side’s limitations.
The biggest area of concern for Reds’ fans is the engine room.
Central midfield has become a big issue for Jurgen Klopp with the fragility of his existing options.
Every player apart from new signing Fabio Carvalho has had struggles with injury and availability over recent years.
With Thiago also being ruled out for the next 6 weeks with a hamstring issue, Klopp’s decision not to twist in the transfer market has come under intense scrutiny.
Klopp ready to stick to his current midfield options
Despite unrest within the fanbase, the German boss has maintained his public stance that the club would not make a move unless it makes sense.
After the fulltime whistle, the question was posed to Klopp in light of Thiago’s injury.
He claimed: “Look, a transfer must make sense now and in the long-term; we have midfielders, we have still enough midfielders.”
Klopp on the squad:
“I’m happy with the size & quality of the squad. The transfer market only makes sense if you bring in the right player. All the other solutions are inside the squad. If there was the right opportunity for us, we’d have done it by now.”
— The Anfield Talk (@TheAnfieldTalk) August 12, 2022
While it may be true in terms of numbers, the reality is that no one can guarantee each midfielder’s availability over the course of a season.
What any player needs to be a success under Jurgen Klopp
Should a change of heart take place on this topic, there are 5 main attributes I believe a Klopp midfielder needs.
The standout quality of any player Jurgen Klopp has signed during his Liverpool career is their character as a human being.
Clearly having no time for big egos, the club has targeted players from humble backgrounds with their feet firmly on the ground.
I truly believe Klopp would pull the plug on a deal for the most talented football player in the world if he did not feel his personality was right for his squad.
A second necessity to becoming a success in this Liverpool side is work rate.
A player must be willing to learn and hungry to improve as well as battle for his team.
Without this drive and determination to give his all, a player will fail in the current Liverpool play style.
"The 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 player, not 𝒂 player"
"If there was the right solution for us we would have done it already, we're not stubborn…"
🗣 Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool's midfield and potential signings pic.twitter.com/UZwJp9xhbt
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) August 12, 2022
This position is known as the engine room for a reason as they must press from the front and cover for attacking fullbacks.
Thiago being a prime example of this. A world-class midfielder technically who has previously claimed Klopp taught him ‘running’ in his two seasons on Merseyside.
An aptitude for learning is therefore a vital skill set for any new signing because they will need to adapt to the system and learn how their teammates work at all times.
Some extremely gifted football players have struggled at big clubs in the past as they can not adapt to the team around them and vice versa.
Assuming any signing would be used as cover for Thiago or in a starting place on the right side of midfield, ball retention is a big part of their role.
Being able to remain calm and keep possession of the ball when being pressed is important when playing against teams looking to press and hit on the counterattack.
This can be similar to Thiago in being technically brilliant and always picking the right pass and having brilliant composure under pressure.
Klopp on Thiago injury
"I read 4-6 weeks…..I would prefer four!"#LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) August 12, 2022
An alternative way to provide the same skill for the team is the way Gini Wijnaldum used to.
This is being able to shield the ball impressively and being fearless when driving forward with it.
Finally, a Jurgen Klopp midfielder must be intelligent.
Depending on which of the three roles in the middle of the park is being focused on.
It may be the player’s job to press a centre-back or fullback to drag the rest of his side up the pitch and force errors.
Perhaps Andy Robertson or Trent Alexander-Arnold have pushed up the field and need to be covered for in the event of a counter-attack.
Maybe the team is struggling to play through the lines and someone needs to be brave enough to look for that driving run or precise through ball.
Maybe it is protecting the centre-backs as every other player looks to attack and find the breakthrough.
Being switched on and aware of any threat is just as imperative as supporting the frontmen. In my opinion, it may be one of the most underappreciated roles in world football.
Will Jurgen Klopp find his man in this transfer window or will be stuck to his guns and work with what he has?
