No doubt the vast majority of Liverpool fans will be glad to see the back of the 2020/21 campaign as it turned out to be a hugely disappointing season for the club.
Serious injuries to key players disrupted Jurgen Klopp’s team and although we were still top of the Premier League table at Christmas, the injury list took its toll and we endured a torrid few months after New Year which derailed Liverpool’s title defence.
Thankfully we still managed to snatch a top-four place on the final day of the season so we have Champions League football to look forward to again next year. Obviously, it’s important for a club like Liverpool to be in Europe’s elite competition, but it also helps attracts the best players and the extra income should boost Klopp’s summer transfer kitty.
The boss will be working hard formulating a plan to get the club competing for top honours again next season. Liverpool are currently priced at 5/1 with www.no-account-casino.com to reclaim the title next season. That makes us second-favourites behind Man City – who’re odds-on favourites to retain the trophy – so the bookies expect us to be right in the mix once again next season.
However, it’s important Klopp gets this summer right as he has to strengthen the squad. Last year’s injury crisis is unlikely to happen again next season but we still have to plan for the worst and be better prepared in future. The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Jordan Henderson will return next season but Klopp still needs to dip into the transfer market to land a few key additions.
New midfielder
One of Klopp’s main priorities this summer is to find a suitable replacement for Gini Wijnaldum. The Dutchman is expected to join Barcelona on a free transfer when his contract expires next month and he’ll leave a huge hole needing to be filled in midfield.
Liverpool have been linked with a number of central midfielders but it’s vital Klopp gets this decision right and buys a player who’ll come straight into the team to play alongside Fabinho and Thiago next season.
Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have also been linked with moves away from Anfield after another frustrating season while James Milner is coming towards the end of his career, so Klopp may need to buy at least two central midfielders this summer.
Konate to partner Van Dijk?
Another area Klopp is expected to strengthen is central defence. Liverpool were decimated by injuries to several key centre-backs last season and it looks like the boss is determined not to be caught short again.
Nat Phillips did well during the closing months after arriving in January but Klopp is still expected to sign a top-class centre-back and it appears Ibrahima Konate is the man he’s gone for. Reports suggest the Frenchman is on the verge of sealing a £35m move to Liverpool from RB Leipzig and he should be an excellent addition to the squad.
Klopp has gone for Konate after deciding not to make Ozan Kabak’s loan deal permanent. Therefore, Konate will battle it out with Gomez, Phillips and Joel Matip for a starting spot alongside Van Dijk next season.
It means Liverpool should have five top-class options in the middle of defence with youngsters Ben Davies and Rhys Williams also acting as back-ups, the club should be well covered if another injury crisis was to hit next year.
Konate and a world-class central midfielder are the two main additions Liverpool need to make this summer. We could also see other minor tweaks like another midfielder is Keita and/or The Ox leave, or another forward to help compete with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.
If Klopp can get things right in the market this summer, and keep his key players fit next season, then there is no reason to think Liverpool won’t be competing for major trophies again next year.
